Ancient tantra is inextricably intertwined with the concept of the original tantra goddess Shakti. To be more precise, Shakti is the symbolic representation of the Tantric perception of the sacred feminine. This is how a true tantra teacher sees all women, and this is how any tantra student should see them too. Your tantra teacher should teach you that there is no difference between worshiping the goddess of tantra Shakti and worshiping your wife. Only then will you enter the true spirit of this ancient art of love and life.

Just as Shakti is a symbol of the tantra goddess in every woman, the yoni (vagina) is a symbol of the woman herself. In many ways, she is the fountain and source of her divine femininity and power. Ancient tantra considers it appropriate, and indeed obligatory, to worship the yoni as a sacred object. It is from the yoni that all life emanates, and it must be considered and treated with that in mind.

This is where the concept of tantra yoni puja comes in. An appropriate form of yoni puja is yoni massage. It is an act of love and reverence to the goddess of tantra in your woman. Remember, such adoration doesn’t have to be just for one man. Tantra accepts and embraces same-sex relationships, so a woman can and should also perform tantra yoni puja for her lover. In fact, this is an extremely sacred act, as it is equivalent to tantra goddesses revering each other. Only one woman can truly understand another, and it is well known that women share a delicate and indefinable bond that transcends male comprehension. Certainly such a bond cannot be replicated in the world of men.

Interestingly, this female-to-female variation is often strange to a tantra novice. Many initiates in this sacred art automatically assume that tantra is essentially a male-female model. However, it must be remembered that although the lingam (penis) is certainly an instrument in procreation, it is the woman who nurtures life. Therefore, tantra considers female-female sexual relations at least as divine as those between men and women. It’s unfortunate that the porn industry has given lesbianism such despicable status. It illustrates the fact that we have forgotten that female-female sexual relations were considered normal in ancient times, and for all the right reasons. Today, they have been reduced to a means to excite the sexual fantasies of men.

Considering women as the personification of the sacred feminine is intrinsic and fundamental to the practice of tantra. A good tantra teacher will emphasize this truth over and over again during his tantra instructions, until it becomes second nature to his students. Without this mindset, it becomes impossible to understand the deeper spiritual concepts at work in ancient tantra. It in no way diminishes the status of the male, for no divine entity is complete without those who worship it. Man retains his importance in the cycle of life. However, he must abandon any pre-existing notions of inherent male superiority and concepts of women as the “weaker sex.”

Man, your wife is a tantra goddess. She is Shakti. Even if she can’t have children, her yoni remains a symbol of the sacred feminine. Tantra yoni puja or worship is her way of showing her acceptance of that fact. Woman, never consider yourself less than a tantra goddess, for this is your true nature. Your yoni is the nexus of your feminine power. She never allowed herself to be abused or targeted; guard the divinity of her as you would any holy idol