From the Tantric viewpoint, the gender we are born with has a great significance and represents a fundamental life lesson. Understanding and awakening the elevated aspects native to our own gender is a sure way to awaken the soul and make rapid progress on the path to spiritual perfection. The masculine and feminine poles are opposite but at the same time perfectly complementary. Men and women are obviously very different from the physiological and hormonal point of view, and anyone who has tried to have a polar (or man-woman) couple relationship knows, at least to a certain extent, that there are also great differences in how men and women think, feel, approach life; in how they relate to happiness, hardships, eroticism; in how they find fulfilment and peace; in their aspirations and needs. The fundamental difference between the two genders actually reaches all the way to the profound soul level and influences our relationship with almost every aspect of life.
From the spiritual perspective, our own gender represents a key to unlock our true potential as a human being as well as the most natural and efficient path we can take to become whole. The two paths of elevated masculinity and elevated femininity complement each other perfectly in a sublime dance that interconnects and even merges at times. In this wonderful game we also have the welcome opportunity to learn from each other and assimilate the qualities of the opposite gender, which ultimately helps us to become complete as human beings.
The path of the man is that of the spiritual hero, known as Vira in Sanskrit. The spiritual hero always aims to align himself with the highest principles he knows and to face all life challenges with heroism and the determination to gradually improve himself as a man and spiritual being. The true Vira is always striving towards a high ideal and is willing to courageously surpass the obstacles that inevitably appear on the way to get there. This involves an intensive process of forging his character, which is strengthened each time he succeeds to conquer his inner limitations. He thus achieves a gradual ascension of his entire being, as he triumphs again and again over his inferior passions, instinctual urges and inner blockages.
A man who remains for too long without a superior goal or purpose becomes lost. Many men in such a predicament slide into depression, having the feeling of being hopeless or even a failure. It is therefore urgently necessary for every man to look deep into his heart and soul and discover his true ideals, profound aspirations and deep needs. Once these are clearly formulated, nothing should stop him from taking all the necessary steps to arrive at the destination. Every man has the capacity to accomplish his mission if he succeeds to ignite his determination. Willpower and confidence increase with every successfully accomplished step until he becomes unstoppable in his heroic quest to forge and polish every aspect of his being.
Life throws continual challenges in the way of the man aspiring towards perfection. The true spiritual hero is like the courageous warrior in battle who conquers his fears and is ready to face anything that might appear on the battlefield of life. He is always ready to sharpen his sword of discernment and discover the objective lessons that are present in any challenge. He tenderly loves his woman, who he sees as an endless source of inspiration, enchantment and wonder. When storms appear, he is her lighthouse, standing vertical and calm, the light of his consciousness illuminating the way. He is fearless in front of her energy, ready to embrace her in all her manifestations. He is always loving and kind, yet firm and discerning when faced with her fluctuations and moods. He adores the eternal feminine in her, seeing beyond appearances to find the ideal, elevated femininity present in her soul. In this way, he also helps her to blossom and open, just as the rays of the sun encourage the flower to bloom.
An important ingredient on the path to awaken the state of Vira is the unwavering pursual of amorous erotic continence. This implies sustained efforts in the direction of gaining mastery over the sexual energies, so that energy is never lost through seminal ejaculation. When a man who has mastered this art makes love, he is able to convert gross sexual energies into a higher alchemised form of energy, enabling him to reach elevated states of orgasm without any loss of fluid. When such a man is also filled with adoration for his beloved, he able to make his woman extraordinarily happy and fulfilled as he makes love with her for hours in a row – her ecstatic face being a priceless reward for the noble struggle he has made to reach there.
All this might seem idealistic and faraway to some. However, the making of the spiritual hero is a natural consequence when a man dedicates himself to fulfilling his highest aspirations and is ready to make the necessary sacrifices to forge his character. The path is gradual, but once a milestone has been reached, it is seldom lost. Every success in overcoming inner limitations brings renewed self-confidence, but also the gradual awakening of his heart and soul. Strength and willpower are therefore gradually matched by love and kindness, as well as a deeper aspiration to pursue his spiritual mission.
Therefore, with love and ardour, we call out to all men: Rise up! And take the place which is rightfully yours!
A Tantric Perspective on Elevated Masculinity
