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:
Saturday June 9th, 6pm: Greek Puja for singles
Sunday July 1st : French Puja in Santa Monica
To register, 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 30 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
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; 6th ed., 2010; eBook, 2011) 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 now in print in both softcover (paperback) and hardcover (hardback) editions. More information is available at web sites
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.
Private Puja for your group
$70 per couple, 7 couples minimum.
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).
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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JUNE
|
Saturday June 9th, 6pm in La Jolla
Greek Puja for singles
Beginner-friendly.
An evening of playful and tender exchanges, following the tantric practices of recognizing the highest part in all of us.
You will learn some tools to better relate to one another.
Theme: the legends of Greek gods and goddesses.
Come and embrace the attributes of a dozen deities including:
... Terpsychora, the goddess of dance,
Kratos, the god of strength,
Aphrodite, the goddess of love,
Hypnos, the god of dreams,
Iris, the goddess of rainbows,
Poseidon, the god of the sea, ...
....and meet your partners through creative and nurturing exercises, clearly and elegantly guided,
enhanced by Greek music
and all following the tantric principles of respect and honoring.
Cost: $45.
To register, send a check to F. Ginsberg, 6425 La Jolla Scenic Drive South, La Jolla 92037
or
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JULY
|
Sunday July 1st, 6 to 9:30 pm, in Santa Monica
French Puja
Get plenty of friendly romantic connections to start the summer.
We will go on mini tantric excursions through Paris and fill up with fun and erotic encounters.
We will share nurturing touch inspired by tantric practice and enhanced by the music from France.
Paris, je t'aime...
Imagine a stroll along the river Seine...
a bench in the parc du Luxembourg for a romantic courting...
a visit at the Museum Le Louvre...(after opening hours)
a special rendez-vous on le Pont des Arts...
and a romance in Monet's Garden...
All exercises will respect the tantric principles of respect and awareness. First timer friendly, although this is a an intermediate level.
For a full flyer, contact Sarina by email
Sarina and
visit the web site
www.lilibration.com.
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AUGUST
|
Saturday August 25th, 6 pm - 12 midnight in La Jolla
Body Painting extravaganza
No previous experience necessary, however you need an adventurous open mind!
A dynamic party you will dream about for a whole year!
Imagine 50 people in a private luscious backyard, dancing, connecting, painting, creating unusual body art, then lovingly washing off under outdoor showers and warming up with a sensual coconut oil puja around a bonfire.
If it is your first body-painting experience, ask for "frequently asked questions" flyer.If you are new to tantra, introduce yourself to Francoise at
tantra.francoise@gmail.com.
Cost: $90 per couple. $70 single men. $40 single women.
All material included. Limited to 50 people.
Register by check or Paypal.
Send your check to F.G., 6425 La Jolla Scenic Dr. South, S.D. 92037.
Or to pay through Paypal
Couples $90:
Men $70:
Women $40:
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SEPTEMBER |
September 21st, 22nd, 23rd, in Idyllwild
Whole Being weekend
A 3 day community event with a variety of activities:
1 tantra puja for beginners : Saturday September 22nd afternoon
1 tantra puja for couples or paired friends in the evening
Once you register with
The Whole Being Weekend,
all workshops are free.
Sunday September 30th, 1-7pm in La Jolla
Tantra Workshop
Open to all levels. Our refined introduction to tantra practice.
Theme: Harvesting our gifts.
A 6-hr tantra training, ideal for first timers, stimulating for all level tantrikas.
Best experienced with your special partner;
singles will pair up with other singles.
You will taste many of the tantric practices,
and get a deeper meaning of the philosophy.
This polished workshop will make you think, laugh, move, touch, add ideas to your repertoire, and refine your love skills.
Tantra is an ancient science to raise energy. It helps open and free life energy and address difficulties in relating. We will play with the 5 langages of love, a skill you can use with anyone - whether that's with your partner, or your friends...
Many of the methods are about transforming through pleasure, and can increase your capacity for relaxation and well being.
Cost: $120 per couple, $75 per single.
Our signature workshop has helped many hundreds of people to successfully understand how Tantra can enhance their realationships.
Read some
feedback here.
Tastefully presented, no nudity nor sexuality.
Program includes :
Fables to understand the essence of the tantric philosophy.
Practice of the art of touch.
Women's and men's circles to talk about intimate rituals.
Connecting exercises in a ritual format called a Puja.
To register, send a check to :
F. Ginsberg, 6425 La Jolla Scenic Drive South, La Jolla, 92037
or use a credit card:
1 couple
1 person
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OCTOBER |
Saturday October 20th, 7pm, in Point Loma
Arabian nights
An exotic advanced puja in a large, comfortable place.
We will follow the story of Sheherazade:
Imaginery voyages will take us through the sand dunes,
the oasis, the nomad tents and the Arabian Nights palaces...
You will be alternatively the giver and the receiver,
you will meet a multitude of costumed partners
All exercises follow the tantric principles of respecting
and honoring the highest in all of us.
We will create a sacred temple where women feel safe to enter the free wild feminine and men feel honored to be the guardian of that sacred place.
Dress up is a must! Make sure it is comfortable
Google "Arabian costumes" for ideas...
Participation : $70 per couple
$50 single man, $30 single woman
Pay at the door, but you must email your name to
Jacquie.
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NOVEMBER |
Saturday November 24th,7-10pm, in Point Loma
Experience the Art of Love, guided by Tantric Principles.
Let yourself melt with angelic songs and sweet exercises of heart connection.
You will hug, slow dance, and feel cherished...
You might experience the natural bliss of higher consciousness.
This Puja is very appropriate for first timers!
in fact...when you register with a new participant, both of you will benefit from half price!
This is THE Puja to invite your curious friends to...
Last year, half of the group was new and there was a lot of exciting energy in the air!
Couples will have the choice to rotate or stay together.
Need questions answered? call Jacquie : 858 581 0050
Place : Dance Time in Point Loma
Cost : $20 per person when you bring a friend new to our pujas
Regular : $40 per person, $70 per couple
Save your spot by emailing Jacquie.
Pay at the door.
A detailed confirmation will follow.
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| DECEMBER |
Saturday December 8th, 4pm in La Jolla
Holiday Puja for SINGLES
We welcome newcomers, tantra first-timers, and all seasoned tantrikas!
You will have a chance to meet 15 opposite gender partners.
Each exercise will include a mini talk-date and a practical exchange of light touch, massage and movement.
We will celebrate the holidays by "traveling" through the different islands of Hawaii
and discover the volcano, the Venus pools, the warm caves, the turtles, the dolphins, the sandy coves, the flora and fauna...
with tantric encounters;
all guided and enhanced by Hawaiian music.
No sexuality, no nudity, all exercises respectful of personal boundaries.
Dress suggestions : Hawaiian print clothing is best
$45 per person
Optional : Singles will get a E-list of participants a day later to stay in touch and enjoy new friends during the holidays
To register :
December 31st, 7 pm - 12 midnight in La Jolla
Tantric New Year's Eve Puja
(For Couples and paired friends)
A dynamic dance party to let go of 2012.
A sensual, spiritual puja to welcome 2013.
Some sharing and visioning along with relaxation and light touch.
This special event is about
-Having fun in a safe and healthy way
-Offering each other the gift of touch and sensuality
-Being with a special partner while connecting with a family of choice
$75 per couple (15 pairs are invited)
Register here :
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