LURED BY THE DARK SIDE

 

House of Tantra · 31 July 2023

 
We live in a deeply polarized reality where the dynamics of attraction and repulsion between opposing poles is the engine of evolutionary development. A deeply divided society, a complex and hierarchical structure of connections and secret societies hidden behind a facade of official divisions and political structures. The experience of the duality of good and evil, dark and light, masculine and feminine polarities has always been essential to the development of individual consciousness.
Of course, most of us are attracted by the positive and luminous aspects of our world. However, many people, due to their complex and difficult history, have inner dark aspects that attract them to the “dark side”.
They are often deeply divided internally. They work and live in the pattern of a repetitive and familiar existence on a daily basis, and deep down they do not feel fulfilled. On the one hand, they are afraid of their dark side, and on the other, something in them longs for great magical power, quick manifestation of desires, and easy pacification of invasive energies and obstacles.
From the perspective of the feminine-masculine polarity, the collective aspects of reality that identify with darkness are usually referred to as Dark Feminine or Dark Masculine.
Many of us have many opportunities to experience these aspects of ourselves and the collective, consciously or unconsciously. For example, exploring some forms of shadow work and sexuality through BDSM or so-called Dark Eros.
The effect of this can be not only the discovery and expansion of our hidden power, but a very strong attachment to these aspects and staying on this level without connecting to the higher dimensions of existence.
It also leads to the opening of space to invisible energies over which we have no control, because we usually do not perceive them.
Over the years, subcultures related to the sacred sexuality and neotantra have arisen, in which the exploration of the dark aspects is primarily focused on activating personal power, fulfilling desires and satisfying hunger developed through long-term suppression of life energy.
The experience of intense, dense polarization and a sense of bursting with power, leads over time to a strong attachment and identification with the dark aspects, which are being explored. 
As a result, the dark and immature aspects do not become transformed and integrated with the heart and higher levels of being, instead they begin to dominate, developing an ego-oriented personality structure.
A never-ending cycle of generating needs and seeking their satisfaction begins. The inner hunger contained in the deep dense level of our being, cannot be satisfied from the same level in which it was born.

The approach of traditional tantra is completely different.
From the point of view of the tantric path, we absolutely need to explore our dark aspects and other unconscious separated parts. However, this is done in such a way that they can be received and integrated into our consciousness and heart in a protected space. The traditional vessel for this process is the enlightened dark feminine and dark masculine archetypes, such as Kali and Mahakala.
The intention is to transform all “negative” and suffering parts into our pure essence, not to descend into darkness to enjoy and stay there.