Buddhist vs. Tantric Path: a journey to self-discovery

LEELA NEWSLETTER

Namaste,

I hope you’re doing well.

Many of you show up to

the path of meditation

having a certain experience

of either buddhism,

or yoga,

or any similar eastern philosophy.

One of the most common is buddhism

because you come across books and retreats.

That becomes the go-to option for many.

Yet, there are certain challenges

or moments where you feel

Where should I go next?

Should I only explore buddhism?

Or is tantra a good option to consider?

I’ll be recording a

detailed podcast

on this topic soon

but to warm you up,

I wanted to share

this letter with you

on my take of

buddhism vs tantra.

For now, lets explore the roads

of buddhism and tantra paths

and see how that unfolds for you.

The Foundations of Tantra & Buddhism

The buddhist path is rooted

in the teachings of Gautama Buddha,

this path emphasizes understanding

and eliminating suffering.

The Four Noble Truths

and the Eightfold Path

are its foundation.

Mindfulness,

meditation,

and morality

are its pillars.

While the tantric Path is often

associated with esoteric rituals,

tantra is a diverse and intricate path

that seeks the union of opposites,

the merging of duality into oneness.

It can be found within

Hindu, buddhist, and other traditions,

and it combines meditation,

mantras,

and rituals

to awaken spiritual energy.

Exploring The Differences Between Tantra & Buddhism

There is a difference between

experiencing vs. understanding these paths.

While the buddhist path revolves around

understanding our mind and reality

to break the cycle of suffering,

tantra focuses more on direct experience.

It's like the difference between

reading about love and falling in love.

In tantra, there's an emphasis on

the harnessing and elevation of energies,

especially the Kundalini energy,

which is believed to lead to enlightenment.

While instead, many buddhist practices

focus on tranquility and insight.

And when it comes to integrating

the practices of buddhism and tantra

into your daily life,

tantra often embraces the world

and worldly experiences

as a means to spiritual progress.

Every action,

emotion,

and experience

can be a tool for growth.

In contrast,

many buddhist paths advocate

for abstinence and detachment.

How to Find Your Path

When it comes to finding

personal alignment on your path,

reflect deeply on what

resonates more with you:

understanding the nature of reality and mind,

or harnessing and elevating your inner energies.

If you're someone who's more interested

in integrating spiritual practices

into daily worldly life,

tantra might appeal to you.

On the other hand,

if you're looking for structured

practices and teachings,

buddhism might be a better fit.

It’s always a good idea to

try a bit of each before you fully

dive into one practice and commit.

Attend workshops,

retreats,

or introductory courses,

read sacred texts

or listen to teachings.

Engage in practices from both paths temporarily

to see which one feels more aligned.

And if you ever feel lost or confused,

you can find a mentor, teacher, or spiritual guide.

Their experience can offer clarity and direction.

It’s important to remember that

you don’t always have to choose.

Some individuals blend practices

from both paths to create

a unique spiritual journey.

Tantra Buddhism - A Beautiful Combination

There is such a thing as buddhist tantra.

Yes, you read that right!

Vajrayana buddhism,

often known as Tibetan buddhism,

incorporates tantric practices,

blurring the lines between the paths.

While buddhism often

gets associated with

the elimination of suffering,

it also emphasizes joy,

compassion,

and loving-kindness.

The journey is as much

about cultivating positivity

as it is about eliminating negativity.

Many of you know that

tantra is not just about sex,

contrary to many Western interpretations,

Traditional tantra actually focuses

on meditation, rituals, and mantras.

While some practices

may involve sacred sexuality,

that’s just a small part of a vast tradition.

A Big Takeaway

The path you choose,

be it buddhist,

tantric,

or a blend of both,

is a deeply personal one.

Let it be guided not by external validations

but by your own inner compass,

resonating with the chords

of your heart and soul.

The journey is less about the destination

and more about the self-discovery,

growth, and enlightenment along the way.

Whichever path you tread upon,

may it be filled with light, love, and wisdom.

P.S: For those who need deep-dive support, I am starting Tantra Mastermind - a group coaching container where we explore the fundamentals of Tantra and move to the advanced levels. Email info@leelagurukul.com if you’re interested.

Few more days are left for the membership space to be yours. Email “Tantra Tribe” to info@leelagurukul.com to be part of a community of tantra, meditation, and all things you expect from me! :)