kavida rei the path to sexual bliss the path to sexual bliss kavida rei London, New York, Melbourne, Munich, and Delhi Editor: Nichole Morford Senior Art Editor: Helen Spencer Project Art Editor: Natasha Montgomery Executive Managing Editor: Adèle Hayward Managing Art Editor: Kat Mead Production Editor: Ben Marcus US Editor: Charles Wills Creative Technical Support: Sonia Charbonnier Production Controller: Bethan Blasé Art Director: Peter Luff Publisher: Stephanie Jackson Project Editor: Becky Alexander Designer: XAB Design First American Edition, 2008 Published in the United States by DK Publishing 375 Hudson Street New York, New York 10014 08 09 10 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 TD396—December 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dorling Kindersley Limited All rights reserved Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited. A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. ISBN 978-0-7566-4171-9 DK books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, or educational use. For details, contact: DK Publishing Special Markets, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014 or
[email protected] Color reproduction by MDP, Bath Altaimage, London Printed and bound in Singapore by TWP Discover more at www.dk.com 6 Defining tantra Defining tantra Tantra is an ancient Indian practice that is still relevant today. It celebrates the body and sexuality, teaching that the sexual act epitomizes your divine nature, and can lead to enlightenment. Tantric sex can bring vitality and intimacy to your relationship. what is tantra? Developed in India more than 5,000 years ago, tantra is a way of life that promotes the idea that sexuality, spirituality, and the emotions are all interconnected. Central to tantra is the belief that the human body should be celebrated and honored as a source of sensual pleasure as well as for its role in divine enlightenment. This is thought to occur at the perfect union of opposites, such as that of the male and female. The tantric path te