Interview with Shashi Solluna
by Virge Kuivjogi
1.Where are you from and how did you come to Tantra?
I am originally from the UK, though have been 15 years travelling. I came to Tantra in India 15 years ago at the Osho Ashram through my beloved, whom I journeyed with for 9 years as a tantric relationship. Before Tantra I was immersed into Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta, but I found that these were not really helping me in relationship. Tantra came to me as the bridge between the spiritual world and the everyday relating world.
2. When and how you became Tantra teacher?
It evolved from my personal practices (multi orgasmic practices of Taoism) and with my beloved. We used to make special time each week for rituals and practices. I loved it all, so I started to invite great teachers to Thailand to teach, and I joined in or even assisted many of them. Then I became apprentice to some teachers. I went back to Pune to train in relationship dynamics and space holding skills. Then I did teacher trainings with Mantak Chia in the Taoist lineage, and later with Agama in the Classical Tantra. So becoming a teacher was a journey of empowerment…and continues to be so! I am a seeker of rich life experiences and so I am carrying a transmission of many of these. Tantra is not just about teaching knowledge, but sharing energy through transmission.
I am originally from the UK, though have been 15 years travelling. I came to Tantra in India 15 years ago at the Osho Ashram through my beloved, whom I journeyed with for 9 years as a tantric relationship. Before Tantra I was immersed into Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta, but I found that these were not really helping me in relationship. Tantra came to me as the bridge between the spiritual world and the everyday relating world.
2. When and how you became Tantra teacher?
It evolved from my personal practices (multi orgasmic practices of Taoism) and with my beloved. We used to make special time each week for rituals and practices. I loved it all, so I started to invite great teachers to Thailand to teach, and I joined in or even assisted many of them. Then I became apprentice to some teachers. I went back to Pune to train in relationship dynamics and space holding skills. Then I did teacher trainings with Mantak Chia in the Taoist lineage, and later with Agama in the Classical Tantra. So becoming a teacher was a journey of empowerment…and continues to be so! I am a seeker of rich life experiences and so I am carrying a transmission of many of these. Tantra is not just about teaching knowledge, but sharing energy through transmission.
3. What is the essence of Tantrism to you?
Tantra is a life path that unites apparent opposites, and thus heals conflicts in our lives (within and without). It says yes to everything…so Tantra helps us to move through blockages and resistance and open up to life fully, receiving the flow of lifeforce energy that life wants to bless us with. This becomes a spiritual path, as that life IS Spirit. People are drawn to Tantra for many reasons, often a personal problem or relationship issue…but it doesn’t matter what draws you…Tantra opens the door and shows you the way!
Tantra is the meeting of meditation and experience! Often we think of meditation as leaving all experiences behind, or we get totally lost in our experiences. But Tantra unites the two into a oneness. This is bliss. This is our true nature. This is coming home.
4. What do you recommend to someone who begins his/her journey of Tantra?
Ask around to find a trustworthy teacher, and then see if you resonate with them. Check in your heart, not just your mind!
If the first class is not for you, try another style or teacher.
Also check inside what is your passion? What draws you to Tantra. Be clear on your intention, and it is easier for life to bring you what you need!
There are many forms of Tantra…it is good to know what you are looking for or drawn to. I have made a Rough guide to some of the types of Tantra to help people find the right path for them to step onto.
5. What has been the most surprising thing in your journey of Tantra? Was there something you absolutely did not expect in the beginning?
At the beginning I thought I “got” Tantra within a few months, I thought I knew it all! Now, 15 years on, it continues to surprise and delight me! I am MUCH more humble. The more Tantra I explore, the more there is to find!
Possibly the biggest surprise was the spiritual element. Because Tantra is so grounded into the body…with a lot of touch and dance and massage. It is incredible how these methods can take you into transcendental experiences. This cannot be known before it is experienced. The amazing journey from sex to spirit!
6. What preconceptions you have to meet the most, when people come to the Tantra course?
Well people think it will be a big orgy or that they have to do some sexual thing they don’t want to do. But of course that’s not what happens! Tantra is about creating sacred space…the space to open up authentically. It is also an integrated path, so it is not just about sexuality! It is about opening the heart, connecting to Spirit, and being authentic. There are so many aspects to it. There are many tantric classes with no sexual aspect at all. Mostly in my classes we work with sexual energy….this is not the same as sex itself. The energy can indeed be used in lovemaking, but it can also be used to open the heart, to feel more alive, to channel into creativity, to build stronger states of meditation…so much more! Tantra is a full life path.
If people have concerns before a class…they can check: is there nudity in this class? Is it for couples or singles? Is it single or mixed gender? Is it experiential or theoretical? Call up the teacher and ask. Also be careful not to be too over protective of yourself…sometimes we have to jump into a new experience to open up! So find the right Tantra class just for you…
Tantra is a life path that unites apparent opposites, and thus heals conflicts in our lives (within and without). It says yes to everything…so Tantra helps us to move through blockages and resistance and open up to life fully, receiving the flow of lifeforce energy that life wants to bless us with. This becomes a spiritual path, as that life IS Spirit. People are drawn to Tantra for many reasons, often a personal problem or relationship issue…but it doesn’t matter what draws you…Tantra opens the door and shows you the way!
Tantra is the meeting of meditation and experience! Often we think of meditation as leaving all experiences behind, or we get totally lost in our experiences. But Tantra unites the two into a oneness. This is bliss. This is our true nature. This is coming home.
4. What do you recommend to someone who begins his/her journey of Tantra?
Ask around to find a trustworthy teacher, and then see if you resonate with them. Check in your heart, not just your mind!
If the first class is not for you, try another style or teacher.
Also check inside what is your passion? What draws you to Tantra. Be clear on your intention, and it is easier for life to bring you what you need!
There are many forms of Tantra…it is good to know what you are looking for or drawn to. I have made a Rough guide to some of the types of Tantra to help people find the right path for them to step onto.
5. What has been the most surprising thing in your journey of Tantra? Was there something you absolutely did not expect in the beginning?
At the beginning I thought I “got” Tantra within a few months, I thought I knew it all! Now, 15 years on, it continues to surprise and delight me! I am MUCH more humble. The more Tantra I explore, the more there is to find!
Possibly the biggest surprise was the spiritual element. Because Tantra is so grounded into the body…with a lot of touch and dance and massage. It is incredible how these methods can take you into transcendental experiences. This cannot be known before it is experienced. The amazing journey from sex to spirit!
6. What preconceptions you have to meet the most, when people come to the Tantra course?
Well people think it will be a big orgy or that they have to do some sexual thing they don’t want to do. But of course that’s not what happens! Tantra is about creating sacred space…the space to open up authentically. It is also an integrated path, so it is not just about sexuality! It is about opening the heart, connecting to Spirit, and being authentic. There are so many aspects to it. There are many tantric classes with no sexual aspect at all. Mostly in my classes we work with sexual energy….this is not the same as sex itself. The energy can indeed be used in lovemaking, but it can also be used to open the heart, to feel more alive, to channel into creativity, to build stronger states of meditation…so much more! Tantra is a full life path.
If people have concerns before a class…they can check: is there nudity in this class? Is it for couples or singles? Is it single or mixed gender? Is it experiential or theoretical? Call up the teacher and ask. Also be careful not to be too over protective of yourself…sometimes we have to jump into a new experience to open up! So find the right Tantra class just for you…
6. What preconceptions you have to meet the most, when people come to the Tantra course?
Well people think it will be a big orgy or that they have to do some sexual thing they don’t want to do. But of course that’s not what happens!
Tantra is about creating sacred space…the space to open up authentically. Opening is not something we force...it is something that happens in the presence of love. So as Tantrikas our focus is on creating a space for presence, love and connection...and in such a space, magic happens!
It is also an integrated path, so it is not just about sexuality! It is about opening the heart, connecting to Spirit, and being authentic. There are so many aspects to it. There are many tantric classes with no sexual aspect at all. Mostly in my classes we work with sexual energy….this is not the same as sex itself. The energy can indeed be used in lovemaking, but it can also be used to open the heart, to feel more alive, to channel into creativity, to build stronger states of meditation…so much more! Tantra is a full life path.
If people have concerns before a class…they can check: is there nudity in this class? Is it for couples or singles? Is it single or mixed gender? Is it experiential or theoretical? Call up the teacher and ask. Also be careful not to be too over protective of yourself…sometimes we have to jump into a new experience to open up! So find the right Tantra class just for you…
Well people think it will be a big orgy or that they have to do some sexual thing they don’t want to do. But of course that’s not what happens!
Tantra is about creating sacred space…the space to open up authentically. Opening is not something we force...it is something that happens in the presence of love. So as Tantrikas our focus is on creating a space for presence, love and connection...and in such a space, magic happens!
It is also an integrated path, so it is not just about sexuality! It is about opening the heart, connecting to Spirit, and being authentic. There are so many aspects to it. There are many tantric classes with no sexual aspect at all. Mostly in my classes we work with sexual energy….this is not the same as sex itself. The energy can indeed be used in lovemaking, but it can also be used to open the heart, to feel more alive, to channel into creativity, to build stronger states of meditation…so much more! Tantra is a full life path.
If people have concerns before a class…they can check: is there nudity in this class? Is it for couples or singles? Is it single or mixed gender? Is it experiential or theoretical? Call up the teacher and ask. Also be careful not to be too over protective of yourself…sometimes we have to jump into a new experience to open up! So find the right Tantra class just for you…