Drakensberg Tantra Retreat 8 - 11 April: Time to book

Tantric Love Retreat

8 - 11 April 2010

 

Shakti Malan and Stephen Tredrea
Drakensberg Mountain Retreat
only 3 hours from Jhb

Sex is the seed
Love is the flower
Compassion is the fragrance
- Osho

Tantra

Tantra is a collective name used for the ancient mystery practices that access, channel and catalyze sexual energy as a force of awakening. These practices have now become available to us, and opening to their gifts can happen remarkably quickly with the guidance of experienced Tantrikas.

The practice of Tantra invites you to be fully alive, without judgment or suppression of anything that is in your life. It beckons you into a state of unconditional love, where existence itself becomes the beloved. It opens your heart and your being to the presence of your sexual beloved in blissful, transformative meditation.

Tantric Love Retreat

The Tantric Love Retreat is an opportunity for you to become acquainted with, and drink deeply from, the well of experience that is Tantra. The quote above from the great Tantric master Osho captures the essence of the Tantric Love Retreat. First we awaken the raw fire of our vital life force or sexual energy. Then we guide this energy up the body, where it touches the heart and becomes a force of love. From there, this energy, which we call Kundalini, rises up further through your being until its fragrance fills you with the knowing that you are one with all that is.

The retreat is structured to accommodate both newcomers and those of you who have already started your exploration of Tantra. If you have a deep commitment to awakening, and if you are willing for profound transformation of your reality and your sense of yourself, then this retreat is for you. You are welcome on your own or with a partner, and persons of all sexual orientations are invited.

The theme of this retreat points to two essential elements of Tantric practice:

• Awakening the fire of your sexual energy or vital life force and
• Refining the quality of your sexual energy into the nectar of divine love.

The objectives of the retreat are:

• To awaken and release the flow of your sexual energy into the flame of presence
• To free up your capacity for feeling, experience and sensation
• To deepen your capacity for love
  
• To assist you in integrating dualities that keep your energy and your sense of yourself in limited expression
  
• To introduce you to methods and techniques that connect sexual and heart energy
  
• To refine your sensitivity and awareness of energy and the presence of the other
• To increase your ability to direct sexual energy as a force of awakening
• To welcome the inner lovemaking that happens when we open up to the unique expressions of feminine and masculine energies in ourselves and in each other
  

The challenge of Tantra is: How much bliss can you stand? This retreat is an opportunity for you to explore further - how much are you willing to let yourself feel? Are you willing to feel your raw instinctual power? Are you willing to feel all your emotions and sensations without judgment and suppression? Are you willing to increase your capacity to stand the bliss of subtlety? Are you ready to start feeling the blue flames of tantric presence ripple over your skin? Are you ready to let every breath become an act of love?

Methods

For this we will use a combination of Tantric methods:

active meditations
dance and movement
breath work
sound work

tantric meditations
sensory exploration
touch sensitivity training

Shakti and Stephen, the presenters

Shakti Malan is presenting this retreat and will be assisted by Stephen Tredrea. We are both members of the Advait Tantraschool (tantraschool.co.za). Shakti is a dakini (female tantra teacher) with a full and lively practice based in Cape Town and has been running retreats across South Africa. She has extensive experience in retreat facilitation and a deeply lived understanding of Tantric work. She holds Ph.D. in Sosial Anthropology. For more on Shakti's work and approach, see shakti.co.za and totalitytherapy.com. Stephen is a daka (male tantra teacher) who beautifully embodies in his life and work the right approach of the masculine towards the feminine. For more on Stephen, see stephentredrea.com

The venue

The Drakensberg is the ideal setting for this retreat. This exquisite mountain range has been named "Dragon Mountain" because it evokes exactly the quality of a dragon for the onlooker. The Drakensberg Mountain Retreat has been home to some of the finest retreats in the country since its opening. Do yourself a favor and go have a look: www.drakensbergretreat.co.za. The center is situated a mere 3 hours from Johannesburg on the road to Durban. We will endeavour to coordinate transport between retreatants coming from Cape Town.

Cost and bookings

Cost: Drakensberg R3 100 includes accommodation and all meals

Please contact Shakti at shakti@shakti.co.za if you have any questions.

To confirm your booking, please deposit payment* into the following account:

Dr. S. Malan
Standard Bank current account
Merriman Square branch (02-11-09-00)
Account number: 073152811

*Please talk to me about a payment plan if you are not able to pay in one go.

With love
Shakti


"Some day, after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the tides, and gravity, we will harness for God the energies of love; and then for the second time in the history of the world, men will have discovered fire!" – Theilard de Chardin

TrueSex 1: Saturday 27 March - Cape Town

Hello beloveds,

Attached a workshop run by friends of mine who do beautiful work as an introduction to the field of conscious sexuality. Book with them if you want to attend the event, and also let them know if you want to be on their mailing list for future events of this kind. This event is introductory so send on also to friends who might resonate with it.

Namaste
Shakti

Tantric Orgasm Workshop repeat this Thursday by popular demand

Tantric Orgasm: Building sexual energy

Shakti and Stephen
Thursday 11 March
7 - 10/11pm
Cost R350 pp

St James (directions upon booking)

This workshop is an introduction to the sexual meditation of Tantra. Tantric practitioners are interested in building sexual energy and supporting the flow of this energy through the whole body as a force for awakening and pure, blissful presence. The workshop will give you a taste of some of the basic techniques and approaches we use. Some themes to be covered:

• Genital sex versus spiritual sex
• Sex up the chakras
• Techniques for raising sexual energy

Bookings: Respond to this email or sms me on 0833010399. These workshop is introductory, though I will be discussing and exploring new information that old-time students can benefit from.

For more on us, see shakti.co.za and stephentredrea.com

Embracing your Desire: Women's workshop this Saturday

Embracing your Desire

Women's Workshop
this Saturday 13 March 10am - 1pm
Persephone Institute Hout Bay

This workshop is the second in an ongoing series for women interested in exploring conscious sexuality. The first four workshops are explorations of different aspects of the first chakra.  The aspect we next look at is our life impulse, which is fired by our desire. Embracing your Desire is an opportunity for women to explore together what touches us in the realm of desire. Whereas some spiritual traditions advocate 'rising above' your desires, Tantra says that desire itself can be the gateway to greater awareness. For some women, the impulse to desire has been suppressed due to past experiences. I am hoping that the three hours of this workshop will help you to get a glimpse of your own desire again. And if you are in touch with your desires, the workshop will give you ways of using them towards your awakening.

We will use some breath and movement to connect deeper to how desire moves through our bodies. We will also do a shamanic drum journey to help you discover what is there for you in the realm of desire.
Cost: R350pp
Please book asap as places are limited. More information once you have booked. To book, email or call me on 08330103999

You are welcome to come to any workshop even if you have not done the previous ones. I structure the workshops so that they are complete in themselves. The workshop is suitable for beginners and for women who have done this work for some time.

In Greek mythology, the god Pan embodies free exploration of desires. Here is an ancient hymn to him; may it inspire you some more for the day!

HYMN TO PAN

Thrill with lissome lust of the light,
O man! My man!
Come careering out of the night
Of Pan! Io Pan!
Io Pan! Io Pan! Come over the sea
From Sicily and from Arcady!
Roaming as Bacchus, with fauns and pards
And nymphs and satyrs for thy guards,
On a milk-white ass, come over the sea
To me, to me,
Come with Apollo in bridal dress
(Shepherdess and pythoness)
Come with Artemis, silken shod,
And wash thy white thigh, beautiful God,
In the moon of the woods, on the marble mount,
The dimpled dawn of the amber fount!
Dip the purple of passionate prayer
In the crimson shrine, the scarlet snare,
The soul that startles in eyes of blue
To watch thy wantonness weeping through
The tangled grove, the gnarled bole
Of the living tree that is spirit and soul
And body and brain --- come over the sea,
(Io Pan! Io Pan!)
Devil or god, to me, to me,
My man! my man!
Come with trumpets sounding shrill
Over the hill!
Come with drums low muttering
From the spring!
Come with flute and come with pipe!
Am I not ripe?
I, who wait and writhe and wrestle
With air that hath no boughs to nestle
My body, weary of empty clasp,
Strong as a lion and sharp as an asp ---
Come, O come!
I am numb
With the lonely lust of devildom.
Thrust the sword through the galling fetter,
All-devourer, all-begetter;
Give me the sign of the Open Eye,
And the token erect of thorny thigh,
And the word of madness and mystery,
O Pan! Io Pan!
Io Pan! Io Pan Pan! Pan Pan! Pan,
I am a man:
Do as thou wilt, as a great god can,
O Pan! Io Pan!
Io Pan! Io Pan Pan! I am awake
In the grip of the snake.
The eagle slashes with beak and claw;
The gods withdraw:
The great beasts come, Io Pan! I am borne
To death on the horn
Of the Unicorn.
I am Pan! Io Pan! Io Pan Pan! Pan!

I hope that you will join me for this very special event

Love

Shakti

Fwd: Embracing your Desire: Women's workshop 14 March

             Embracing your Desire

Women's Workshop 13 March 10am - 1pm
Persephone Institute Hout Bay

This workshop is the second in an ongoing series for women interested in exploring conscious sexuality. The first four workshops are explorations of different aspects of the first chakra.  The aspect we next look at is our life impulse, which is fired by our desire. Embracing your Desire is an opportunity for women to explore together what touches us in the realm of desire. Whereas some spiritual traditions advocate 'rising above' your desires, Tantra says that desire itself can be the gateway to greater awareness. For some women, the impulse to desire has been suppressed due to past experiences. I am hoping that the three hours of this workshop will help you to get a glimpse of your own desire again. And if you are in touch with your desires, the workshop will give you ways of using them towards your awakening.

We will use some breath and movement to connect deeper to how desire moves through our bodies. We will also do a shamanic drum journey to help you discover what is there for you in the realm of desire.
Cost: R350pp
Please book asap as places are limited. More information once you have booked.

You are welcome to come to any workshop even if you have not done the previous ones. I structure the workshops so that they are complete in themselves. The workshop is suitable for beginners and for women who have done this work for some time.

In Greek mythology, the god Pan embodies free exploration of desires. Here is an ancient hymn to him; may it inspire you some more for the day!

HYMN TO PAN

Thrill with lissome lust of the light,
O man! My man!
Come careering out of the night
Of Pan! Io Pan!
Io Pan! Io Pan! Come over the sea
From Sicily and from Arcady!
Roaming as Bacchus, with fauns and pards
And nymphs and satyrs for thy guards,
On a milk-white ass, come over the sea
To me, to me,
Come with Apollo in bridal dress
(Shepherdess and pythoness)
Come with Artemis, silken shod,
And wash thy white thigh, beautiful God,
In the moon of the woods, on the marble mount,
The dimpled dawn of the amber fount!
Dip the purple of passionate prayer
In the crimson shrine, the scarlet snare,
The soul that startles in eyes of blue
To watch thy wantonness weeping through
The tangled grove, the gnarled bole
Of the living tree that is spirit and soul
And body and brain --- come over the sea,
(Io Pan! Io Pan!)
Devil or god, to me, to me,
My man! my man!
Come with trumpets sounding shrill
Over the hill!
Come with drums low muttering
From the spring!
Come with flute and come with pipe!
Am I not ripe?
I, who wait and writhe and wrestle
With air that hath no boughs to nestle
My body, weary of empty clasp,
Strong as a lion and sharp as an asp ---
Come, O come!
I am numb
With the lonely lust of devildom.
Thrust the sword through the galling fetter,
All-devourer, all-begetter;
Give me the sign of the Open Eye,
And the token erect of thorny thigh,
And the word of madness and mystery,
O Pan! Io Pan!
Io Pan! Io Pan Pan! Pan Pan! Pan,
I am a man:
Do as thou wilt, as a great god can,
O Pan! Io Pan!
Io Pan! Io Pan Pan! I am awake
In the grip of the snake.
The eagle slashes with beak and claw;
The gods withdraw:
The great beasts come, Io Pan! I am borne
To death on the horn
Of the Unicorn.
I am Pan! Io Pan! Io Pan Pan! Pan!

Greetings
Shakti

Fwd: Embracing your Desire: Women's workshop 14 March

Embracing your Desire

Women's Workshop 13 March 10am - 1pm
Persephone Institute Hout Bay

This workshop is the second in an ongoing series for women interested in exploring conscious sexuality. The first four workshops are explorations of different aspects of the first chakra.  The aspect we next look at is our life impulse, which is fired by our desire. Embracing your Desire is an opportunity for women to explore together what touches us in the realm of desire. Whereas some spiritual traditions advocate 'rising above' your desires, Tantra says that desire itself can be the gateway to greater awareness. For some women, the impulse to desire has been suppressed due to past experiences. I am hoping that the three hours of this workshop will help you to get a glimpse of your own desire again. And if you are in touch with your desires, the workshop will give you ways of using them towards your awakening.

We will use some breath and movement to connect deeper to how desire moves through our bodies. We will also do a shamanic drum journey to help you discover what is there for you in the realm of desire.
Cost: R350pp
Please book asap as places are limited. More information once you have booked.

You are welcome to come to any workshop even if you have not done the previous ones. I structure the workshops so that they are complete in themselves. The workshop is suitable for beginners and for women who have done this work for some time.

In Greek mythology, the god Pan embodies free exploration of desires. Here is an ancient hymn to him; may it inspire you some more for the day!

HYMN TO PAN

Thrill with lissome lust of the light,
O man! My man!
Come careering out of the night
Of Pan! Io Pan!
Io Pan! Io Pan! Come over the sea
From Sicily and from Arcady!
Roaming as Bacchus, with fauns and pards
And nymphs and satyrs for thy guards,
On a milk-white ass, come over the sea
To me, to me,
Come with Apollo in bridal dress
(Shepherdess and pythoness)
Come with Artemis, silken shod,
And wash thy white thigh, beautiful God,
In the moon of the woods, on the marble mount,
The dimpled dawn of the amber fount!
Dip the purple of passionate prayer
In the crimson shrine, the scarlet snare,
The soul that startles in eyes of blue
To watch thy wantonness weeping through
The tangled grove, the gnarled bole
Of the living tree that is spirit and soul
And body and brain --- come over the sea,
(Io Pan! Io Pan!)
Devil or god, to me, to me,
My man! my man!
Come with trumpets sounding shrill
Over the hill!
Come with drums low muttering
From the spring!
Come with flute and come with pipe!
Am I not ripe?
I, who wait and writhe and wrestle
With air that hath no boughs to nestle
My body, weary of empty clasp,
Strong as a lion and sharp as an asp ---
Come, O come!
I am numb
With the lonely lust of devildom.
Thrust the sword through the galling fetter,
All-devourer, all-begetter;
Give me the sign of the Open Eye,
And the token erect of thorny thigh,
And the word of madness and mystery,
O Pan! Io Pan!
Io Pan! Io Pan Pan! Pan Pan! Pan,
I am a man:
Do as thou wilt, as a great god can,
O Pan! Io Pan!
Io Pan! Io Pan Pan! I am awake
In the grip of the snake.
The eagle slashes with beak and claw;
The gods withdraw:
The great beasts come, Io Pan! I am borne
To death on the horn
Of the Unicorn.
I am Pan! Io Pan! Io Pan Pan! Pan!

Greetings
Shakti