Tantric Shamanism?

[tellmetruth]

Hi - I am new to this forum, and indeed kind of new to the whole idea of exploring this idea of fraud healers . . . so I'm hoping some of you can help me with the whole fraudspotting thing . . . I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have friends who are neopagans and some of them have connections to people who claim to have training/be trainers in "tantric shamanism." Is such a thing at all legitimate. In particular I want to know what you think about these two individuals:

Sylvia Brallier
http://www.tantricshamanism.com/

Francesca Gentille
http://francescagentille.weebly.com/about.html
She claimes to be an "initiated shaman in four traditions." What does that mean?

Thanks!

[Epiphany]

(post deleted, had published before ready)

[Epiphany]

I think Francesca was initiated in the four traditions of fraud, b.s., theft, and the almighty dollar.

Here is her site Shamanic Soul Coaching: http://www.lifedancecenter.com/shamanic_soul_coaching.html

The Sacred Courtesan School http://www.lifedancecenter.com/SacredCourtesanSchool.htm

Integrative Arts Institute http://integrativeartsinstitute.weebly.com/directors.html

The Knights of Eros http://knightsoferos.weebly.com/directors.html

Temple of Shadows http://templeofshadows.weebly.com/guides.html

Her partner in much of this is:

Tim J Emert

3rd Degree Priest of Love & Eros with a degree in Psychology. Member of the Morongo Tribe of Cahuilla Mission Indians. He has been practicing and guiding BDSM in the San Francisco BDSM Community for over 17 years.

"Tantric Shamanism" = a lot of b.s. also:

People who are shamanic practitioners believe that the world of spirit interpenetrates our third dimensional reality, effecting all aspects of physical reality.

http://www.tantricshamanism.com/tsdescr.html

Definitely do a New Age Fraud forum wide search here on "tantric", lots of good information and discussion about related frauds.

[Epiphany]

Started thread on Francesca Gentille http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=3973.0

She is an initiated Shaman in 4 traditions: Afro-Brazilian Umbanda, Middle Eastern Temple, Greek Eleusinian and Native European, and is currently in development of a workshop on Shamanic Sexual Healing.

[tellmetruth]

Thanks . . . seems my intuition was bothering me about these people for a reason. So funny that someone would list practicing BDSM in a professional bio . . . I mean, it's nice to have a hobby, but, really? 

[critter - a white non-ndn person]

hi tellmetruth.. there is a lot of information on this forum to help you learn about frauds/fakes and how to spot them. For me, the red flag pops whenever I see money is involved. Are they interested in money or healing? Always a red flag. 

[Odelle]

A really good clue that this is fake is the combination of "Tantra" and "Shamanism". To my knowledge only Hindu, Bon and Buddhist teachings are Tantric, so not Shamanic at all. She is mixing and matching. It would be like saying Catholic Shamanism, or Tantric Islam or something.

[Odelle]

Hi tellmethetruth,

If these people are your friends and you are concerned about them, hopefully they will listen to you.

I don't know about Shamanism--my gut instinct says that anyone claiming to be a teacher of Shamanism is trouble, because I don't think Shamanic traditions are spread that way. They are not organized religions in any sense. But I really don't know.

As for the Tantric bit. Tantra are esoteric teachings from Hindu or Buddhist/Bon traditions. In Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist traditions, specific teachers are "lineage-holders" and they have specific teachings that they are responsible for. There are now many such teachers in the US, including in the Bay Area. I would recommend your friends seek out a Tibetan Buddhist Center if they are really interested. The teachers of these centers have spent years studying and practicing Tantra so they have more wisdom to give than just a weekend workshop. If your friends are really curious, I would encourage them to "try the real thing" and learn more about Tantra from people who are the guardians and messengers of this tradition. Thankfully, it is not so hard to find such people in the BA.

[tellmetruth]

Thanks . . . I really appreciate the input. Seems like there are good, thoughtful people on this board! I'll do some more looking around here.

[educatedindian]

some of them have connections to people who claim to have training/be trainers in "tantric shamanism." Is such a thing at all legitimate. In particular I want to know what you think about these two individuals:

Sylvia Brallier
http://www.tantricshamanism.com/

Francesca Gentille
http://francescagentille.weebly.com/about.html
She claimes to be an "initiated shaman in four traditions." What does that mean?

It means Gentille is kidding herself. Claiming to be a shaman in four traditions is like claiming to be four kinds of a doctor. How believable would you find someone claiming to be a neurosurgeon, heart specialist, spinal specialist AND pediatrician?

Looking at Brallier and Gentille and some of the others online, it appears they claim to basically be sex therapists with a message that sex is sacred. But not like Hindu or Buddhist teachings about sex and meditation or yoga. To them they want the typical sex we all have to be said to be sacred.

And that strikes me as neurotic, as having to overcome so many hangups or disfunctions about sex. It's kind a reversed position (no pun intended) of some fundamentalists who tell married couples to pray together before they have sex. And I notice that these alleged
tantrics even say their therapy can be used for recovering from sexual abuse. That seems to me a really terrible idea.

I do see that one of them endorsed a fraud and ceremony seller, and another, it was already pointed out bases her ideas on Landmark, which is just the abusive cult EST with a new name.

Another of the big names is tantric shamanism is Ernesto Naranjo. He worked with two of the biggest frauds out there, Harner and Castaneda, who he calls his idols.
http://www.claudionaranjo.net/pdf_files/religion/tantric_shamanism_esalen_book_english.pdf

[Autumn]

Thanks . . . seems my intuition was bothering me about these people for a reason. So funny that someone would list practicing BDSM in a professional bio . . . I mean, it's nice to have a hobby, but, really? 

Not only BDSM (I only just now found out what that means), but "Sacred" BDSM.  http://templeofshadows.weebly.com/guides.html

M. Francesca Gentille:

Teaches on Sacred BDSM nationally & internationally, and is a Kink Aware Therapist. On Fetlife she is PRIESTESS  https://fetlife.com/users/742703

Award winning co-author of"The Marriage of S*x & Spirit. "Radio Host of "S*x: Tantra & Kama Sutra."  Director of The Sacred Courtesan School of Feminine Mystique and Power.

She is the Co-Director of "The Integrative Arts Institute," S*x & Intimacy Counselor, Empowered Aging Specialist, Clinical Sexologist, Shaman,  & Cross Cultural Minister, specialist in recovery from trauma, and Priestess for over three decades.

IMHO, you don't make something "sacred" by simply putting the word "sacred" in front of it.

[ShadowDancer]

Here is another "Tantric Shaman" to avoid should he visit the SF Bay area, VerDarLuz.  His bio is chock full of nuage phraseology.

I initially began my healing training in 2003 with courses in Zen Shaitsu, Thai massage, Reiki 1 and 2, and Qikung during my pilgrimage through Asia. I began my studies in Astrology shortly after returning, by investigating the Mayan Calendar and working with Mayan elders in Guatemala. My astrological training includes work in the schools of archetypal, Shamanic Astrology, soul-centered Evolutionary Astrology, and Relocation Astrology.

My passion for Evolutionary and Shamanic Astrology consultations has extended to frequent online teaching, international travels to teach, and local workshops. In 2008 my work expanded to include Past Life Regression therapy and in 2009, I participated in ceremonies with Amazonian shamans and completed a 6 day Breathwork intensive with Rebirthing founder, Sondra Ray.

I have been a musician for 15 years, beginning with guitar and now extending into orchestral and electronic compositions, as well as modalities of dance/theater prayerformance, and dj-ing sounds in the vein of progressive house, minimal, downtempo, chilled and melodic dubstep, electro-swing, and electro-soul.

I am an erotic empowerment coach and facilitator, studying with Master Charles Muir in the Source School of Tantra to be a Certified Tantra Educator.  I am also a student of Richard Anton Diaz and Orgasmic Providing, and trained in Orgasmic Meditation.

You can watch videos and find further resources with my teachers Charles Muir and Leah Alchin here

In May of 2010, I composed and performed the Butoh dance ritual entitled Haunt, for the release of my first book Codex of the Soul: Astrology, Archetypes, and Your Sacred Blueprint, which in 2012 was republished by Evolver Editions.  My second book, Aquarius Dawns: The Shamanic Artist and the Rise of the Wounded Healer was released in Spring of 2012. In the winter of 2012 I taught the webinar course The Art of Partnership and am presently training to be a Tantric Educator.

I currently live in Evergreen, CO, but travel frequently.  I facilitate experiential astrology workshops throughout the globe and coach individuals in a Timemapping Strategies program, as well as families in the Evolutionary Parenting program.

http://soulalchemyastrology.com/erotic-empowerment/

As a Tantra coach and Sacred Sexuality teacher I inspire healing and empower awakening on every level of your erotic being. Learn to liberate your God and Goddess to authentically live your creative potential.

Erotic Empowerment

Eros, the god of love, also represents the surge of the life force itself.  Yet, early sexual traumas and sexual conditioning can decrease our vitality and life force.  Tantric practice helps to repattern and expand your emotional, sexual, and spiritual energy.

My years of shamanic studies and practices, coupled with my professional Evolutionary Astrology practice give us additional tools and vocabulary to assist in your personal Tantric awakening.

Here is the description of his session of private erotic empowerment which between the lines reads like a gigolo offering services.

Our journey together is an adventure in discovering how you give and receive love.

I work with women, men, and couples.  We begin with a conversation to clarify your goals, desires, and challenges as an individual and with others.

With insights from your astrological birth chart and Human Design we will explore your soul’s relationship intent, erotic impulses, and any obstacles in the realm of love and sensuality.   Through our conversation and the chart analysis, I craft a session specially designed to awaken your sensual essence.

If you would like to go deeper into understanding your unique relationship intent and sexual dynamics, I offer individual and couple’s intimacy coaching as listed in the tab below.

Many practices are included in private sessions, such as:

Empowered communication skills
The art of receiving—allowing more love into your body and life
Cultivating your sexual intelligence – owning and speaking your desires and attractions
Puja for Two – a ceremonial intimacy Q & A
Soulgazing
Sensual Massage
Pranayama and Chi Kung: Conscious Breathwork to raise and balance the energy body
Chakra attunement and harmonizing
Exotic kissing techniques
Sacred spot massage and hand mudras
Orgasmic Meditation
The art of achieving full body orgasm for men and women
The bliss of multiple orgasms for men and women
Ejaculatory control
Sexual repatterning and releasing sexual trauma
Sex Magick: visualization and manifestation techniques
Cultivating increased self-confidence, joy, and abundance
Calling in your beloved or enhancing the passion and presence in your partnership.
 

Donation for all sessions: $120/hr.

Sessions usually last between 90 min and 3 hours.

I made a search of the forum for his name as well as his teachers, but came up blank.

[tellmetruth]

EductedIndian wrote: "And I notice that these alleged
tantrics even say their therapy can be used for recovering from sexual abuse. That seems to me a really terrible idea."

This is exactly where it crosses the line for me from silly to downright destructive. It starts to make me angry that this sort of thing is even legal. What recourses can be taken to stop this kind of thing? Are message boards like this (which I'm grateful for) all we've got?

[Odelle]

I guess I want to add that "tantric" as I was using it does not mean sex at all. Sex might be a a kind of tool in a tantric toolbox, but at least from what I know from my interaction with Tibetan Tantrins, or Tantric teaching lineage-holders, for sex to have a tantric function it really matters how it is done and who is doing it. Sex in and of itself is not "sacred" anymore than just talking is sacred. Speech can be a tool for sacred purposes when you chant or sing sacred texts or whatever, but just saying "hello" isn't in and of itself an expression of divinity or whatever these new age teachers promoting Tantric workshops are claiming sex is. There are also celibate tantrins. this is also the meaning of "tantra" for Hindu scriptures.

[Epiphany]

EductedIndian wrote: "And I notice that these alleged
tantrics even say their therapy can be used for recovering from sexual abuse. That seems to me a really terrible idea."

This is exactly where it crosses the line for me from silly to downright destructive. It starts to make me angry that this sort of thing is even legal. What recourses can be taken to stop this kind of thing? Are message boards like this (which I'm grateful for) all we've got?

Posts on this forum go a long way, names come up in web searches, I imagine the readership is large. Sometimes frauds and their supporters even post in an attempt to argue and bully. Followers of frauds are helped immensely and can share info and aid as they make their way free.

Some other ideas I've gleaned from this forum and elsewhere:

Write for alternative media, or interest a journalist in the story, get the info published
Run a message board for former members of that specific group
Examine the fraud's bio, research each claim
Report to the authorities any instance of crime, including white collar crime
Shine light, bring on the heat