24 Aug : Hindus are strongly critical of “Hollywood types” who apparently think and describe of Tantra as just sex.
Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Tantrism was a major channel in Indian religious traditions and besides Hinduism, it also exerted considerable influence on Buddhism and Jainism. Sankaracharya had mentioned the names of 64 Tantras.
Few days back, musician-model-actress Coco Sumner (Stardust) contradicted the tantric-sex sessions of her parents Oscar nominated musician Sting (Cold Mountain) and actress-producer Trudie Styler (Moving the Mountain); MTV award winner Heather Graham (The Hangover) recently claimed of venturing into tantric sexual healing; BAFTA winner Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) reportedly practiced the art of tantric sex with boyfriend; the stories circulating about Sting and his wife Trudie having marathon eight-hour tantric-sex sessions for many years; Oscar nominated Woody Harrelson (The People vs. Larry Flynt) reportedly had been linked to it; referred to in television and movies like ”Meet the Fockers”, “Sex and the City”, ”American Pie”, etc.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that Tantra, a method of spiritual self-culture, was divine revelation whose history went back to fourth century. Tantra was a conscious approach to self-discovery which directed the seeker to prepare mind and body to the level where it could withstand any turbulence, both inner as well as outer. Tantras noted three unique states of sadhana (spiritual endeavor)—purification, illumination, and unification.
Rajan Zed further said that Hindus welcomed Hollywood bigwigs to immerse in Hinduism but taking it seriously and not just flirting with its terminology and concepts and using it as a fashion statement. Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly.
Hollywood celebrities needed to have more patience and go beyond the superficial because Hinduism concepts evolved over thousands of years and needed serious study, Zed added.