tantra de-mystified, very helpful resource (external link)

Hi @NorthernLight, Welcome to the Aneros Forum. I read a couple of the blog posts by Shakti Amarantha and it looks like there is some good information contained therein. I have added her blog page URL to the General Sexuality information section contained in Rumel's Ruminations - Part V.
If you haven't already seen it, I also invite you to read my Introductory Message to New Members.

Good Vibes to You!

I've seen that blog before, and read several of its articles. I have a similar view point when it comes to mysticism, where I like to take a more scientific analysis of the concepts. The idea of the microcosmic orbit, for example, I think is potentially a good visualization technique for many, but I think our nervous systems are a bit more flexible in terms of what it can potentially do. And some people think that retaining semen is literally retaining bits of your vital essence, but I think people just hit the refractory period too often. Prolactin, from what I understand, seems to stunt the effects of dopamine. I think that might be a huge contributing factor to the numbing effects of porn addiction.

I'm not against spirituality, but I think a bit too much bro science gets tossed around on the internet in places such as r/NoFap and r/SemenRetention. It's hard to do research on topics so many posts seem to be voodoo. It can be surprisingly difficult sometimes to sift through for solid information on some of these subjects. Ever look up Wim Hoff breathing method? That's another topic where it can be hard to find concrete information as to how or why it seems to work. Not enough scientific studies I guess, but a heck of a lot of anecdotal evidence. That's the sort of thing you have to try for a while and see if it benefits you.

Posted by: @northernlight

However I kept digging, just taking what I found useful and had lots of fun with it. Very much following the very good advice not to mistaken the map for the actual landscape.

Yep, I second that. AFAIK, Tantra used to incorporate (only) the good bits of all the other spritual movements which where around at the time of it's inception, while leaving out unsuitable stuff. In that tradition I allow myself to learn the practice and leave out the esoteric superstructure. I allow myself to see tantric concepts like Chi & Chakra as visualisations and training aids rather than actual facts.

See, back in the day religion, spirituality, science and art were all bundled under the umbrella of spiritual and religious movements. New findings had to fit (or better: had to be made to fit) in the already existing concepts of how the world functions. That's why the actual treasure is burried under so much esoteric "wooowooo". They discovered intersting stuff about our bodies, but the explanations they came up with just did not stand the (scientifical) test of time. That doesn't make the initial findings invalid - just the explanations.

Thx for sharing this blog! I skimmed over the titles and it looks very promising.

Posted by: @aneros_user88299

I'm not against spirituality, but I think a bit too much bro science gets tossed around on the internet in places such as r/NoFap and r/SemenRetention.

Hahaha, bro science made me chuckle. 😀