TANTRA
The Art of Sacred Sensuality and Communication
Discover yourself through tantra:
Discover yourself; discover each other. Learn valuable tools for your couple. Receive support from
professional, trained teachers
in a safe environment. Learn how tantra can be helpful to you. For more, see
Tantra at a Glance.
Next events in San Diego:
Saturday, August 28th, 7 - 11 pm: Tantra puja for singles
Sunday, September 19th, 1 - 7 pm: Tantra Day Workshop for couples
For more, see the
Calendar of events.
About us:
Francoise and Mitchell Ginsberg have
studied and worked in the fields of psychology, psychotherapy, sex
therapy, and tantra for several decades. For more, see
About Us.
Classes:
We offer private classes, lessons, and practicas in tantra. For more, see
Private Classes.
We also offer group classes, workshops, puja days and evenings.
For more, see
Group Classes (Calendar of Events).
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TANTRA AT A GLANCE
The name Tantra comes from the Sanskrit, in which
tantra
is literally an
instrument (-tra) for expanding
(tan-).
Understood psychologically or psychospiritually, a tantra could be a practice for expanding our consciousness, or a text containing such descriptions.
Typically, these practices involve guided imagery and various bodily postures and movements. These aim at creating a greater intensity of experience and
a profound appreciation of the divine or sacred nature of existence
which is other than and beyond our conditioned life and our personal
histories. We acknowledge this dimension in the traditional Indic
greeting, Namas-te.
A
puja
is literally (in Sanskrit) a treating with respect or reverence, a mutual honoring, a receiving hospitably, an acknowledging.
Tantra (which could be a solo practice), when in the structure of a
puja, is an interactive practice. One form it may take is a circle of
practitioners who meet in a directed fashion following clear
instructions that maintain full respect and help us to rediscover the
divine in all of us.
For example, we may follow a series of
structured exercises lasting from 3-7 minutes with various partners,
including eye gazing, light touch, verbal sharing, and contact
dancing... the entire series being designed to have us become more
aware of this sacred dimension present in all of us, and in the West,
to practice the art of loving.
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ABOUT US
FRANCOISE and MITCHELL GINSBERG have
been married for over 27 years. They have raised a daughter and a son
who are now young adults in their twenties. Francoise and Mitchell have
taught about the principles and practices of tantra to individuals and
couples since the early 1990s.
FRANCOISE GINSBERG (tantra.francoise@gmail.com)
received her doctorate from the University of Paris, where she worked
as a woman's counselor. She has been leading puja rituals
ongoingly for different organizations since 1994. Francoise offers
private consultations for women and men. She is President of the
San Diego Tantra Connection.
MITCHELL GINSBERG (mitchell.ginsberg@gmail.com)
received his Ph.D. from the U. of Michigan and has also taught at Yale, the American Institute of Buddhist Studies,
IUPS, and elsewhere.
As a licensed
psychotherapist
and expert on the subject of emotional traumas, he offers
private consultations
for individuals and couples. He has been a teacher in the Thai-Buddhist
Vipassana Meditation Tradition since 1975, and is the author of several
texts in psychology and psycho-spirituality, such as The Far Shore, The Inner Palace, and, in preparation,
Calm, Clear, and Loving.
The Far Shore (1980; 4th edition, 2009) contains many
illustrations of the application of mindfulness or self-awareness to
the many emotional states that we go through, clarifying this path to
clear and compassionate interaction with our world and those most dear
to us. For more, see the
reviews
and other files listed at
The Far Shore directory.
The Inner Palace (2002; 5th ed., 2008) is an in-depth
examination of the roots of the world's major spiritual and religious
traditions, in their various understandings of our path to wholeness
(or awakening, spirituality, purity, divinity, wisdom-compassion,
bodhisattvahood, or by still-other names). For more, see the
reviews
and other files listed at
The Inner Palace directory.
Calm, Clear, and Loving: Soothing the Distressed Mind, Healing the Wounded Heart
is in preparation at this time. More information will be available here
later. At this time, there is information available in other files
listed at the
Calm, Clear, and Loving directory.
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PRIVATE CLASSES WITH FRANCOISE AND MITCHELL
Private Classes with Francoise
Private Puja Tutoring
$150 for the 2 hour-session.
Tantric Consultations for Women
$75 for one-hour session.
Special Private Program for Couples
$160 for the 2-hour session.
To contact Francoise directly, e-mail:
tantra.francoise@gmail.com.
.
Psychotherapy or Mindfulness Training with Mitchell
Psychotherapy or Mindfulness Training (Self-awareness practice) for individuals and couples
$120 for 60-minute session (longer sessions can be arranged). Fees for financial hardship an option.
For more information on my orientation, inspiration, and focus of work,
along with more general discussions about the field of psychotherapy,
see
Health and the Mind and
Professional Links,
and the many further links given at those two web pages.
As a preview to this fuller information: I have been strongly influenced by the perspectives of
Hellmuth Kaiser,
Friedrich Nietzsche,
Ronnie (R.D.) Laing,
Louis B. Fierman,
Loren Mosher,
Israel Charney,
and
Maurizio Andolfi,
in the Western psychotherapeutic tradition, and by
V.R. Dhiravamsa, formerly
Chao Khun (Abbot) Sobhana Dhammasudhi, in the Thai Theravada Buddhist Vipassana Meditation tradition.
To contact Mitchell directly, e-mail:
mitchell.ginsberg@gmail.com.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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AUGUST |
Saturday, August 28th, 7 - 11 pm in La Jolla.
Tantra puja for singles
A ceremony of heart centered exercises especially designed for singles who want to meet other singles interested in Tantra.
LET'S TRAVEL TO HAWAII
We will take you on an imaginative tour of the islands where you will meet every participant of the opposite gender trough exercises inspired by the Hawaiian legends.
All exercises will respect the tantric principles of respect and awareness. No previous experience necessary, first timers are welcomed and will feel well taken care of.
$49 includes Hawaiian food, dress Hawaiian if you wish, we will have leis for you
To register, email:
tantra.francoise@gmail.com.
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| SEPTEMBER |
Sunday, Sept. 19th, 1 pm - 7 pm in La Jolla.
Tantra Day Workshop: A Tour of the Philosophy and Practice of Tantra
Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced Levels ... all in one workshop.
(The advanced level is taught in lecture format.)
This is a 6 hour training for couples who want to understand the foundations of Tantra and want to become familiar with the large menu of practices.
You will learn about the 5 modalities of touch and how to create rituals.
Men will study a sacred tantra ritual (lecture format in a separate room) while women will share valuable information about pleasure.
Couples will reunite to experience the bliss of a puja: a ceremony of love filled with short guided exercises including eye gazing, words of appreciation, various ways of touching, slow dancing and romantic embrace.
Great for beginners, valuable for all levels. No sexuality, no nudity.
$120 per couple. (Half price for those who have attended our "Tantra-Day for couples" before)
Includes healthy snacks served at our 2 intermissions. You will leave with delicious home work!
To register, email:
Tantra.Francoise@gmail.com.
Saturday, September 25th, 6 - 11 pm in La Jolla.
Body Painting Extravaganza where tantra meets body art.
Puja, dancing, body painting, washing up, puja around the fire.
This is the program for this once-a-year event.
Each segment is guided with the same sacredness as a tantra event. The painting adds a dimension of
playfulness and sensuality.
You will smile, laugh, feel child-like, experience some quiet, deep connecting moments, and feel blissful for days.
$49 per person, includes paint, brushes, pictures, hot tub, soap, and coconut oil. $5 off for returning body painters.
To register, email:
tantra.francoise@gmail.com.
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| OCTOBER |
Friday, October 8th - Monday, 11th in San Diego.
Sexual Shamanism.
You are invited to join 10 teachers and a loving tribe for 3 nights at a spa retreat in San Diego on Oct. 8-11th.
We'll begin with a sensual puja led by Francoise and continue with transformative teachings, theater, play parties and shamanic journeys around the clock!
REGISTRATION: Admission for this retreat is limited to 64. Tuition is ONLY $397 and includes basic accommodations.
For details and registration: contact
Tantra Palooza.
Saturday, October 16th, 7 - 11 pm in San Diego.
Sexy, Hallowe'en Puja.
What does Hallowe'en have to do with tantra?
Hallowe'en is a festival to face and to integrate our fears.
For this reason, we dress up as witches, ghosts, and black cats.
Tantra is about visiting our edges.
In this puja, we'll use our Hallowe'en costumes and characters
to try out new ways of connecting with ourselves and others.
Dress as you wish for this advanced puja. All costumes welcome.
You will be invited to embody different characters
using all of your skills of creativity and tantric touch.
Not for beginners. All exercises are clearly guided and enhanced by thematic music.
Costumes are a must.
$40 for singles; $60 for couples.
For details and registration: contact Jacquie at 858 581-0050, or email:
j@jlowell.com.
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| NOVEMBER |
Saturday, November 27th, 7 - 11 pm,
Thanksgiving puja Puja in Hillcrest.
A most spiritual puja with choir and meditative music to inspire the grateful heart to emerge and share the joy of being in a body in this mysterious universe. All exercises will follow the tantric guide lines of respect, sacredness and boundaries. Exercises include dancing, healing touch, laughing, being quiet, sharing sweet moments and remembering our primary need for connections.
This puja is offered to all levels, first timers will be very welcomed!
$40 per person; $60 per couple.
For details and registration: contact Jacquie at 858 581-0050, or email:
j@jlowell.com.
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