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From Om to Orgasm

From Om to Orgasm: The Tantra Primer for Living in Bliss

From Om to Orgasm

From Om to Orgasm Book Review
Chandi Devi
AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1-4343-4960-6
Non-Fiction, Tantra, Sexuality, Spirituality
Reviewed by Michael Woodhead

Tantra involves more than just sex, and this “primer” explains so much more of the spiritual, psychological, moral, and physical reasoning behind it. Utilizing a multitude of charts, photographs and illustrations, the author demonstrates how Tantra works, and what various elements of it correspond to or mean. As she draws on both ancient and modern resources, the author explains and expounds on such concepts as life energy, the Chakras, yin and yang, karma, love, intimacy, the Tantric secret to manifestation, sexual union, worship, just to name a few of the topics related to this ages-old art of spiritual sexuality. Also included are some suggested practice sessions for individuals and couples, and some “quick Tantra tips” which take five minutes or less to complete.

Overall, this is an excellent introduction to a highly misunderstood life path. Explanations of various concepts abound and, although better suited for couples, the information presented is more than adequate for individuals as well, offering wisdom regarding significant others: “the partner we select should share our basic philosophy of life, possess interests, energy and passions similar to our own, and have a capacity for spiritual growth, mental expansion, and emotional development”. Certainly, advice we could all use from an early age.

Also included is an interesting chart that contrasts Western thought and Eastern teachings, i.e. Western religion and Eastern spirituality. If you’re curious at all about Tantric philosophy, then this book is for you.

Get “From Om to Orgasm: The Tantra Primer for Living in Bliss” here or at your favorite bookseller.

From Om to Orgasm: (REVIEW) The Tantra Primer for Living in Bliss

By Hakeem Alexander

(Exercising Your Mind) I am infinitely grateful to have been honored with a copy of From Om to Orgasm autographed by the veritably masterful yet dearly humble author Chandi Devi. I believe this marks the first time I have ever read a 300 page tome three(3) consecutive times in a row ever eager to gain a more meaningful grasp of the Ancient Wisdom presented in this Modern Text.

From Om to Orgasm is an impeccably researched and referenced Scientific Document that simultaneously ignites a Spiritual fire within any being whether they be advanced practitioners or novices. I have been presented with a fabulous opportunity from the words and awakening provided by the passages within.

I invite anyone who mistakenly believes that Tantra is only about sex, to study these blessed pages to come to know the true union of Body and Soul that is infused throughout the teachings carefully laid out in this literary wonder entitled “From Om to Orgasm“.

“From Om to Orgasm“ has not only been a primer, but will certainly serve as a constant reference in my personal growth and healing practice. From Om to Orgasm truly marks the mastery of the author as teacher, for she has brought to clarity many apparently complex subjects I have longed to elucidate. This book dispels myths and misconceptions. More importantly, it inspires, uplifts and enlightens the reader in the most elegant fashion and as an eagerly page turning motivator.

From Om to Orgasm has been at once a promise fulfilled as my hunger for awareness and comprehension have been satiated, as well as an affirmation of many long-held intuitions of my own that are now firm beliefs in large part due to the support and encouragement found within the pages of this fantastic labor of light.

From Om to Orgasm is simply a great achievement of creative endeavor that brings the Science of Tantra into blissful understanding for those greenhorns seeking an introduction to the subject such as myself, and from the conversations I have had with the more adept, I am convinced that it would surely benefit them as a renewed source of motivation.

From Om to Orgasm is truly a remarkable gift that opens with the basics of “eastern philosophy” and Ancient Wisdom. It then integrates these time-tested and honored philosophies with Chandi Devi’s modern perspective stemming from personal experience.

From Om to Orgasm has invigorated my Yoga Practice as well as my revitalizing my Spiritual seeking and is destined to be a classic text to be revered and celebrated by many enthusiastic seekers and leaders alike. Right from the Preface to the Epilogue, From Om to Orgasm is at once calming and exciting as it is a road-map to full understanding with a climax that although quite satisfying, leaves you desiring and thirsting for more knowledge and guidance.

I am so truly thankful that my friend Chandi has shared this wonderful gift of union with me. I am in awe of your knowledge and have finally found in you someone I can call my Guru, Teacher, Master.

-Namaste

From OM to Orgasm — Tantric Yoga

By James Bean
Copyright June 2008

Exploring the World Religions — Book Review

“From OM to Orgasm — The Tantra Primer for Living in Bliss.”
by Chandi Devi

ISBN: 9781434349606

Published by Author House:
http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~47637.aspx

Now I know what you’re thinking: “Oh no! What does sex have to do with spirituality and exploring the world religions?” There’s this funny saying I once came up with: ‘If your parents never had sex, chances are, you won’t either.’

On a more serious note: The art of tantra, despite what some in the West have done to present it in a way that is divorced from it’s holistic, traditional Hindu context giving it a different sort of reputation, one might say, nevertheless is very spiritual and integrated with other aspects of Hinduism and the Yoga system.

I recently interviewed Chandi Devi, the author of an impressive new book on Tantra yoga. Below is part of that conversation.

J: Thanks for joining me Chandi to talk about your new book.

Chandi: Hi James and thank you for having me.

J: It’s my pleasure. What really impresses me about your book on Tantra is how Hindu it is, which actually makes sense of course! Tantra is a practice that come from the Indian tradition, emanates from the subcontinent of India, but I notice it’s a book as much about Hinduism, Yoga, and spirituality as it is a book about sexuality. For some reason here in the West, Tantra often gets abused, reduced to sex only. I notice that sort of cultural filtering or tampering sometimes can be an issue or danger with certain teachings from other parts of the world. I can think of several examples where groups or teachers based in the West have gone into business, grabbed, repackaged ideas they have picked up on, perhaps without even being on good terms with Eastern Masters, ending up giving reduced or edited versions of teachings or techniques, yet actually claiming to speak for, or represent, a certain discipline. But if one should happen to get acquainted with the original path or discipline back in India, one realises that the “imported” version is only providing part of the picture, not the whole thing, as we’ve seen with Tantra, in this case: just the physical component perhaps without the spiritual being included. Sometimes imitation is NOT the highest form of flattery. [Laughter.]

Chandi: Yes, Tantra has it’s roots in Hinduism. It’is very spiritual and there are no shortcuts. Like you were saying, the subject of Tantra has been treated in the West as merely a yoga of sex, and with no preparation necessary, you just get into it and get as much of it as you like. They have reduced it to that when it is so much more. Tantra is so divine. I wanted to show the people of the West in particular that Tantra is a path. It is not a recreation, and it is not pedestrian sex. Sex is a part of it because in Tantra we accept everything as worship to God. If you approach everything that you do as a method to reach God or as an acknowledgement of His divine-ness, then your approach to living and your way of thinking — everything, becomes transformed. Tantra is about transformation: transforming the base into higher states of consciousness.

J: And meditation is part of Tantra as well, visualisation, or what you would call inner techniques?

Chandi: Oh definitely! Meditation is the first step. Before even approaching Tantric sex with a partner it would be very helpful if the parties involved would have already established some kind of meditation practice, because in the love-making they can bring this meditation knowledge or awareness into the sex act. This is what gives it all its power and makes it so ecstatic.

I think it is very important if you have some knowledge of the Right-Hand Path, which is the meditation practices, chanting, reciting mantras, journaling, contemplation — all of that. It’s important to have a little bit of that background, because when you approach Tantra without that, it can wreak havoc on you — it really can…… and I had first-hand experience…..but with the knowledge that what you are doing — all the techniques, it just makes Tantra a lot more understandable. If you just dive into Tantra and say, “Wow, this is great. I can have sex all night long!” That’s not Tantra. It can be part of it, but that’s not it. So basically, Tantra is about energy, taking that energy — sexual energy, and transforming it from the base of your spine all the way up to your Sahasrara, the Seventh Chakra. You can do it through meditation, or chanting, reciting mantras — it’s also done with a partner. The whole process is for evolvement of the soul and not a de-volvement. Now, what’s happened is that, if you bypass or skip the preparation part of Tantra, you miss a whole lot of the practice. That’s where the joy is. That’s where the permanence is. You can experience temporary awakenings if you want to call it that, or experience a shooting energy going up your spine and showering over your head and everything, but, unless it is maintained and cultivated and nurtured, you can loose it. You don’t want to loose something like that. Once you have it you want to keep it. You want to treasure it and take care of it. For this reason you do the other practices we mentioned earlier, all the practices, the basis of Hinduism.

J: So Tantra practice is part of that same journey of ascension: going up the chakras — consciousness raising, in other words. It is another yoga or path towards that same ultimate experience?

Chandi: Oh yes. Positively it is a yoga, with all the same terms, concepts and principals, such as karma, ego, dharma, maya, being mindful…….all of this is included in the practice. It is not a frivolous path of pedestrian sex. That is not what Tantra is, and there are consequences and dangers if you approach it in that way. That’s why I wrote the book, because I’m trying to show people how they can maintain this ecstatic state by just doing some simple things. Granted. It is hard. We don’t have enough time to do all the things that we want to do, much less to sit for an hour or two a day when you’re in traffic for an hour or two a day, but what I did was try to also include exercises that can be done in five minutes or less. Just simple things you can do.

The book is for people who have very busy schedules, also want to practice in private and not have to go to workshops or classes, but they want to improve their relationship with their partner. Tantra is the best way to improve your relationship and build intimacy with your beloved. If you want to experience spiritual sex, all of these things have to be considered. In the book I cover exercises to do. There are many illustrations as well, quick tips, and charts that can help the seeker, the practitioner as they try to experience this path called Tantra.

In this book I have attempted to present the facets, the gems of light that make for a successful and orgasmic life, not just sexually, but spiritually as well.

Once you have the information, it is important to get out of your head and into your heart, for there is where the real magic and transformation takes place. This is our true center, where all the reflected light of the galaxies, the stars, and the planets affect our entire being. Nityananda said, “The heart is the hub of all places; go there and roam.”

Quote from the book:

“We can meditate, chant and do all the practices with reverence, and we can still be “light”, and at ease about it. We can laugh even in the midst of a meditation, or dance, or during sex and savor the moment. Meditation doesn’t have to be serious business and it should not be. Have fun with it, have fun with your partner. Laugh, love and live with passion. Being spiritual doesn’t mean you should become pious, have no sense of humor, or become rigid in body and mind.”

Prayer at the end:

May your life be blessed,
May you see only beauty
Know only peace
Hear only harmony
And feel only bliss.
May you live always in sex, love and joy.

Hari Om Tat Sat

hearted enjoyment. Yet, you thought you knew everything about love, sex and

relationships.

In this book, Chandi Devi brings about a unique and

meditative approach to sex. She talks about weaving an enhancing relationship

with oneself, the beloved, and ultimately the divine, and about joining of the
masculine and feminine energies of Shiva and Shakti. The book gives us a

flawless, enlightened and uninhibited path to divine sexual expression and

practices. It teaches the magic of improving communication between partners,
which helps in healing the mind, body and soul. This sensitive, informative,

intelligent and comprehensive book is definitely worth reading. This book is
not about ‘sex’ but an authoritative guide to bliss.

…Sidhartha Pani, MD, Boston, MA

One can’t help but benefit from Chandi ’s well researched, clearly written, and immediately applicable advice on love techniques from antiquity that are as applicable today as they were thousands of years ago. Your life, not just your love life, WILL be better after you read it.

…Dean Romano, author, Lexington, MA

…outstanding and has full potential to become a classic reference work… recommending it to my students as a must read.

…David

Tantra is usually thought of as “that sex stuff”. In fact, it is an entire spiritual tradition, and as such, includes a philosophy of all aspects of life, including sexuality.

Unfortunately, in the West, the focus has usually been only on the sexual aspects.
In this book, the author, drawing from classic and modern sources, personal experience, and a variety of associations by non-tantric traditions, present a much wider view of Tantra than is normally found in books directed towards Westerners. There are a lot of great concepts brought out in this book that are not covered by other popular books.

…LB, reviewer

Your book really was interesting. I think something like this is needed, amongst the overly done sexual aspects of tantra; amongst the simplistic and conceptually barren books on tantra; this book I think sheds some needed light on the core practices, and reveals how the body is instrumental in awakening.

…Bradley Rockow, Vedic Astrologer http://www.omjyotish.com

“From OM to Orgasm” provides outstanding wisdom for both the Tantra curious and seasoned Tantrika. It offers philosophy, principles and practices for both the sincere student and the casual searcher. Contained in “From Om to Orgasm” are the ancient secrets of Tantra, masterfully explained for the western mind.

From Om to Orgasm is a definitive guide to sacred sexuality in the 21st century that draws deeply on ancient wisdom, I highly recommend it to anyone who desires a deeper understanding of Tantra and those who desire to follow this path as a way to experience more bliss and spiritual growth. It will absolutely enrich your life beautifully. Dakini, Daka and traditional mainstream couples alike will greatly benefit from reading from OM to Orgasm”

- David Fabricius. Teacher of Bliss – The Art of Sacred Sexuality.

www.davidfabricius.com

In the fast paced and technologically driven world of today, we are far too involved with running around, working constantly and from everywhere, and trying to meet deadlines. The world of internet, laptops, Blackberries, iPods, iTV and iPhones has increased our social networking andaccessibility, but has diminished our sex lives to brief periods of halfhearted enjoyment. Yet, you thought you knew everything about love, sex and relationships. In this book, Chandi Devi brings about a unique and meditative approach to sex. She talk about weaving an enhancing relationship with oneself, the beloved, and ultimately the divine, and about joining of the masculine and feminine energies of Shiva and Shakti. The book gives us a flawless, enlightened and uninhibited path to divine sexual expression and practices. It teaches the magic of improving communication between partners, which helps in healing the mind, body and soul. This sensitive, informative, intelligent and comprehensive book is definitely worth reading. This book is not about ‘sex’ but an authoritative guide to bliss.

Sidhartha Pani,MD

Boston,MA

The science of Tantra is unique, complex, sweeping. Even more unique still, is a modern book on the art and practice of Tantra, which maintains the original meaning and depth of the practice, yet making it accessible to our time. Chandi Devi’s ‘From Om To Orgasm’ accomplishes this. She has a knack for the intuitive explanation of Tantric practices, putting them in a light which all can benefit from — certainly this book is more than theory. It tells of the integration of the body and soul, which is the heart of this subject — relating our everyday experiences, emotions, and instincts to the divine creativity within.

She thoroughly examines the subject from the traditional perspective, carefully keeping to the teachings, yet adding fresh zest and life, making them enjoyable and practical. At the heart of Chandi Devi’s words are joy, life, beauty, and love — essential attributes for the Tantric path. Certainly, ‘From Om To Orgasm’ is a must have for the casual reader, for one who wishes to expand their practice, or for the serious student. Many blessings to Chandi Devi for this endeavor.

Bradley Rockow
Vedic Astrologer
Website http://www.omjyotish.com

This book is a regular “everything you ever wanted to know about tantra and forgot to ask”! I don’t think most Americans have any idea the depth of the path. Chandi clearly and concisely inform the reader so you know what you might be getting involved in if you choose a tantric path.

Maia Berens

www.whataboutlifecoaching.com

Tantra is usually thought of as “that sex stuff”. In fact, it is an entire spiritual tradition, and as such, includes a philosophy of all aspects of life, including sexuality. Unfortunately, in the West, the focus has usually been only on the sexual aspects.

In this book, the author, drawing from classic and modern sources, personal experience, and a variety of associations by non-tantric traditions, present a much wider view of Tantra than is normally found in books directed towards Westerners. There are a lot of great concepts brought out in this book that are not covered by other popular books.

LB, reviewer

Dean Romano, author, Lexington, MA

Namaste Chandi Devi …

Thank You for your trust and sharing…my first impression speed reading is it is outstanding and has full potential to become a classic reference work, Well done, I look forward to reading it more carefully and writing an appropiate testimony…and to recommending it to my students as a must read.

Warmly,

david fabricius