Giving and taking is an important part of every tantric meeting: indeed, throughout life. But - do we really, fully give and receive? Giving can feel easier: there is a practice to follow. And yet - am I totally ‘there’ for the other guy? am I focussing on him and not myself in the sense if I'm getting it ‘right’?
Maybe taking is easy, if it means just lying there and doing nothing. But, to fully receive we need to be present to actually receive it. Our thoughts might drift… to what the roads will be like on the way home… what's for lunch? … this guy massaging me is really hot… but also, more insidious inner conversations… ‘Do I deserve this - I feel bad about doing nothing - shouldn't I give something back'
In many ways, it's so easy for our minds to kick in and find all kinds of everything to latch on to, distractions, worries… everything except being present to giving or taking.
I'm basing this workshop not just on what I have been taught, but also on how I myself can be in tantra workshops. This workshop is inspired by Betty Martin's Wheel of Consent, in which Dr Martin teases out the main threads of what is going on in touch - especially who is doing and who is giving or who is being done to and who is receiving (clue - not always obvious). Sorting those things out can greatly help fully giving and receiving, all the while exploring what is possible within consent (which may not be what we assume).
This afternoon workshop, like all Tantric Meetings for Men, is planned with those new to tantra in mind, as well as those experienced. Our groups are usually 6-10 men, of various ages, and always at least one new person). We start with introductions, then check in with our understandings about safety, confidentiality and, of course, consent (these are in our ‘Terms and Conditions', listed lower down). I'll talk a brief talk on giving and taking and how that links to consent , and we then start with gentle touch, as our first mindful practice around giving and taking, with biref pauses to share on how that practice was for us, maybe questions that come up. We'll then use undressing, touch, and massage as further ways to explore giving and taking touch - and pleasure - this is intended to be a very enjoyable journey.
Please bring a sheet and a towel to lie on, perhaps also a water bottle.
Our venue, Pathways Studio, is dedicated to tantra and will be warm and ready to welcome you. Please aim to arrive between 15 to 5 minutes before our 2pm start.
This is NOTAFLOF event - No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds. So if a lack of money would prevent you coming, please email me through steve.hopker@gmail.com to see if we can make it possible. And of course, email me with any other questions you may have.