April 6, 2026 Is Your Tantra Colonized? (Streaming Live)- Streaming Live

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST

1.0 AASECT/ ISEE CEs

Class description:

Tantra, in its authentic form, is a profound path of dhyana (meditation), tapasya (ascetic meditation) and moksha (liberation). Over centuries, Tantra has endured spiritual colonization, systematic cultural attacks, and erasure directed at a minority religion, historically practiced by people from marginalized communities. Its teachings have often been distorted, commodified, sensationalized, sexualized, and divorced from their ritual and meditative essence.

In this class, we explore Bhairavas, Shaktis, Mantra, Yantra, and Tantra, alongside Grama, Kula, and Ishta Devata/Devi, the cycles of time (Kalpa, Manvantara, Divya Yuga) and its association with Karma, and the seven Acharas (Modules in Tantric Practice), with examples of Devi Upasana(Goddess Worship practices) in each, particularly after Dakshina Achara (4th Module). We will clarify the distinctions between Hindu and Tantric deities, examine authentic Tantric lifestyles such as Aghoris, and discuss a Fact Sheet: “Is Your Tantra Colonized?” to critically reflect on sources, practices, and interpretations.
This session is a careful, ethical engagement with Tantra as a spiritual science of meditation, ritual, and liberation, free from commodification or sensationalization.

Note to attendees: This session will not include any initiation into the practice.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will move beyond colonial and orientalist interpretations of Tantra to encounter it as a living, resistant, and self-determining tradition.

1. By the end of the class, participants will be able to identify at least three ways Tantra has been spiritually colonized through historical, cultural, or linguistic distortions, especially those impacting marginalized Tantric traditions and practitioners. (CKA C) (SET C) (STT F)

2. By the end of the class, participants will be able to critically assess their own or others’ interpretations of Tantra for evidence of commodification, cultural appropriation, or detachment from original Tantric philosophy using the “Is Your Tantra Colonized?” Fact Sheet. (CKA C) (SET C) (STT F)

Instructor: Nishita Rao 

Nishita Rao is a Transdisciplinary Scientist with research delving into Neuroscience, Anthropology, Art History, Paleoclimatology, Psychology, Archaeology, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Ethnomusicology, Dance Ethnography, Linguistics and Biopolitics. She is the first Indian to be awarded the AASECT CSE. Nishita is also a NeuroSocioPolitical Specialist providing consultations and PsychoNeuroImmunology Interventions. You can reach Nishita at [email protected] or check out her website: Pillow Talk With NixiTransform Your Passion into Purpose. 

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AASECT

This program meets the requirements for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for up to 1.0 CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT Certification and renewal of certification. Institute for Sexuality Education & Enlightenment, Provider #11-113-C. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT Certification. For further information please contact [email protected]. 

CORE KNOWLEDGE AREA: 

C. Sociocultural Issues or F, Diversity in Sexual Expression & Lifestyles