Llewellyn Journal - The True Meaning of Kamasutra

Nothing lies in our minds that hasn’t before been in our senses.
~Aristotle

For many people – especially in the Western world - Kamasutra is merely a colletion of different love-making positions, a combination of acrobatics and pornography. But for the Eastern mind, the true meaning of Kamasutra reaches beyond this purely physical interpretation. For them, sex – in all of its forms - is sacred. It reproduces the ultimate creative act, the union of the masculine and the feminine cosmic principles. Sex is the cause of the creation and manifestation of the universe. According to Tantra, sexual intercourse, however trivial it may seem, is sacred, cosmic (even when the lovers do not acknowledge this fact, which is usually the case).

When doing the asanas (the yoga positions adopted for the ritual), tantra seeks to “divinize” the couple and their sexuality. Without this spiritual element, Kamasutra and Koka Shastrano wouldn’t evoke divine rituals.

These two treatises aim to increase sensual voluptuousness. To this end, they propose several sex techniques, with a focus on love-making positions. In fact, the asanas, or traditional positions for joint meditation, are specific and scarce.

Tao teachers have chosen the most comfortable positions for prolonging intercourse, sometimes even up to two hours without having to move much, for this would hinder interiorization during divine intercourse. They are usually so comfortable that complete physical and mental relaxation is achieved, and alternative consciousness levels, or even sleep, can be reached. The asanas must also favor magnetic interchange of vital energy, and facilitate control over ejaculation and the body’s health.

Tantra dismisses (at least at the beginning) the most common position used in the Western world - the so-called “missionary position” (Uttana bandka in Sanscrit), in which the man lies over the woman. This position is rejected by Tao followers because it does not facilitate control.

The reason behind the positions
Let’s begin by inverting the missionary position placing the woman on top. The advantages: the woman (or goddess, for the Tao) has initiative over the movements and controls the experience. Although almost completely still, the man can relax more and give in better. The position also allows an inverted union, where the man identifies with feminine energy and can psychologically understand his mate better. The man will adopt the woman’s usual position, lying down, with legs apart, while the woman will take the role the man usually does and will keep her legs tight.

In the western world, the woman usually moves her pelvis up and down - these wide penetration movements, made to her own rhythm, please her greatly. But it is precisely these wide movements that may provoke an untimely ejaculation.

In contrast, tantra proposes what is known in India as the curl. The woman is sitting on the man, with her back to him, which enables the man to rotate the pelvis. He tightens and relaxes his buttocks in succession, moving the pelvis up and down. At the same time, with the lower muscles of his back, he rotates and rubs the pubis, which greatly stimulates the woman. Both lovers reach amazing levels of pleasure. (For further reference, consult Sex and The Perfect Lover)

Thanks to the neuro-electric waves, the upward energy these movements provoke generates a higher level of fulfillment both for the body and the mind.

The True Meaning of Kamasutra

Mabel Iam