s evidence has shown, it was also practiced by the Egyptians in the cult of Isis up until the Roman era. Hints from various ancient sources indicate that a Hieros Gamos may have been part of the Eleusinian mysteries. "Because the mysteries were secret, little is known of them. Presumably fasting and ritual purification in the sea took place before the large procession from Athens to Eleusis. The rites, which fundamentally celebrated the abduction and return of Persephone, symbolized the annual cycle of death and rebirth in nature as well as the immortality of the soul"(CEE, 1). In India, the Tantric tradition, overseen by the god Shiva and his partner Kali/Parvati, continued for hundreds (possibly thousands) of years before being incorporated into Buddhism. But, what is Tantra? "Tantra is a spiritual science, which means it is also mystical, in its interconnectedness, the holistic wisdom link between ourselves and the universe we inhabit"(Douglas, 3). Participants of Tantra seek enlightenment and union with the Divine through sexual rites and other forms of meditation and ritual. Tantra Sacred Sex is about spiritual awakening. It helps people put aside their individual egos and allows them to experience their loved one whole-heartedly. It awakens their souls innate feelings of love and trust through unconditional love for God (whichever God one may celebrate). This God is called the Divine. After Tantra was brought to China by traveling monks, it was combined with Taoist philosophy and Chinese medical theory, and was used by those who sought to increase health and (in some cases) achieve physical immortality (through sexual techniques thought to prolong the vitality of its participants). In essence, by keeping them young. "The ancient Taoists, developed a complete, detailed, and scientific system of knowledge which comprises many principles of food preparation, exercise, healing, sexology, etc. " (Chang, 1). ...
