Tantra Wars The Frontlines of Gender in the Spiritual Scene
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Abstract
The way gender is conceptualized directly influences our comprehension of the self, making it a central issue in contemporary cultural conflicts. This phenomenon extends to modern Tantra, where gender constructions shape the methodologies and spiritual paths within different schools. Contemporary Tantra schools, particularly those that emphasize sexuality as a core element of practice, reflect the ongoing ideological battles between conservative and liberal interpretations of gender and selfhood. These interpretations significantly diverge from pre-modern Tantra, aligning instead with the western construct of “Tantrism.”[i] This study examines three distinct Tantra schools that represent different positions in what we term the “Tantra Wars” (the ideological struggles over gender in modern spiritual movements): Binary Tantra, Difference Feminist Tantra and Queer Tantra. By analyzing these three paradigms, this chapter highlights how differing gender frameworks within Tantra not only shape individual spiritual practices but also contribute to broader socio-political discourses on gender, identity, and selfhood. The findings illustrate how contemporary Tantra schools navigate and reconstruct gendered spiritual narratives, reflecting and influencing wider cultural debates.
[i] David G. White, Kiss of the Yogini: “Tantric Sex” in its South Asian Contexts, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2003.
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