Can I practice Tantra without a guru?
Generally speaking, you cannot practice traditional Tantra without initiation and guidance from a qualified guru. Tantra is a rigorous path requiring dedication and guidance. It is also a sophisticated technology of spiritual awakening that requires specific training. You can learn some things from books and be guided by intuition in some areas, but without the guidance of a guru you cannot achieve any depth. The danger is that egotism takes over and one builds energy that just ends up feeding the ego, gaining a sense of entitlement. In this tradition, knowledge is powerful, but you have to know what to do with that power to avoid serious pitfalls. The guru provides that crucial guidance. It’s like trying to navigate a very turbulent river – if you want to go down the river safely, you need an experienced guide who has been down this same river, who can tell you where and how to paddle, and when you need to pick up your boat and walk around dangerous rapids. If you don’t wish to pursue
