In tantra there are three foundational levels, which are very good to know, before you start to explore tantra on a deeper level, where aware sexuality is a part of the journey.
None of the three levels can be separated as clearly as they are below. Typically will you move in and out the different levels at different times.
The 3 levels in tantra:
- Tamas – Black Tantra.
- Rajas – Red Tantra.
- Sattva – White tantra.
Tamas – Black tantra
The instinctive level in tantra is named Tamas – ”Black tantra”. At this level you move within deep unconscious areas of the human psyche. This instinctive level is a part of being a human being, but in our everyday life, we do not often get in contact with this level. Nonetheless the level is responsible for reproduction. If this level was not part of us, no reproduction could take place.
When you work with Tamas, you therefore work with the instinctive part of your life. This part is particular present in the sexual meeting, and it is an important level to both get to know, but also also to work with in the intimate relation. If we forget this level, It can have serious consequences for both our personal and spiritual level.
In tantra the human being is seen as being whole and unique at the same time. Therefore it is so important to bring this instinctive level into our lives – e.g by bringing playfulness into the instinctive sexual level.
Imagine the fight or the game which unfolds itself in the nature: When a she is ready for pairing, and the male sense this readyness. In this scenario there are not much space for loving touch or strawberries. Here the focus is only on reproduction and the servival of the fittest.
It can look very violent when animals breed, but if you tap into the energy in this violent meeting, that is what Tamas – black tantra is all about – to get to know this very instinctive level in the human nature.
It is important to set a good and respectful frame, when you wish to work with these super strong energies in Tamas.
Suggestions for a good frame is to talk about boundaries, yes/no and a stop signal.
When the frame is set and both of you feel safe, then let the playful exploration begin. You will soon explore how liberating it is to let go and allow this level to be a equal part of your sexual meeting.
Rajas – Red Tantra
The passionate and painful part of the tantra is called Rajas – ”Red tantra”. At this level sexuality and relating is not only about reproduction. At this level the she and the he knows each other. They love each other and both show emotions, feelings and personal history.
This is actually at this level most of the modern intimate relationsships operate. We are personal, we are intimate and we share both sorrow and happiness with each other. But if we do not recognize Tamas, the instinctive level, and bring the forceful energy from the black level to the red level, a lot of energy will not be available to us in the sexual and intimate meeeting. – This is maybe a part of the answer, why so many couples experience huge problems in their intimate relationships?
Also at this level it is important to create a good and safe frame. At this level where sharing and exchange are in focus the frame could be set around space and freedom in speech.
Great healing is possible at this level, when we experience to be held by our beloved.
Sattva – White tantra
Sattva is the name of the white tantra. At this level awarness and experience is brought up both from the instinctive level, Tamas, and from the personal level, Rajas. At this level the female and the male meet as equal, and as part of a bigger reality.
At this level sexuality is transformed to a sacred meeting between two beings, who both bring energy, light and awarness into the meeting.
We all meet Sattva once in a while in our lives, but in Tantra, this level is a conscious choice.
The frame for working with Sattva is quite complex, and too complex to describe in this article.
Just notice that the white tantra, Sattva, is not unique, but is based on the two previous levels, Tamas og Rajas.
This article is created with inspiration from Neel Fasting – www.neelfasting. Dk