Tantric Peaces: Tantra Workshops - A Fresh Take on Ancient Paths to Inner Peace

Tantra workshops offered by the Austria-based Institut Namasté appear to produce consistent, though statistically non-significant, positive changes in participants' self-reported peaceability. Survey data showed slim improvements, but in-depth interviews revealed clear growth in interactions and relationships, confidence, insight, inner peace, equanimity, joy, body awareness, sexuality, mindfulness, and spirituality. The study argues for a causal link between the workshops and development of resilience, frustration tolerance, nonviolent communication, self-esteem, compassion, and inner peace, collectively termed peaceability. Participants reported that these benefits extended to their family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers, contributing to societal peaceability.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Workshops featuring or promising elements of Tantra have been on the rise in Europe and North America since the 1970s. This study attempts to define the elusive and eclectic term Tantra and explores the effects that Tantra workshops have on the peaceability, resilience and serenity of its attendees. Due to the accessibility of data, the Austria-based Institut Namasté was used as an example. \nThe survey evaluations seem to show slim, albeit consistent positive changes in the subjective perception of increased peaceability among participants of the Institut Namasté’s Tantra Workshops; statistical relevance could not be determined. The in-depth interview analysis, on the other hand, showed clear evidence of growth and improvement in the five categories Interactions and Relationships; Confidence, Insight; Inner peace, Equanimity, Joy; Body Awareness, Sexuality; Mindfulness, Spirituality. \nThis study demonstrates that there is a causal link between the Institut Namasté’s Tantra Workshops and the attendees’ development of resilience, frustration tolerance, nonviolent communication, self-esteem, compassion and inner peace, summarized as peaceability. The impact of this improvement benefits not only the alumni but, according to their reports, also their inner and outer circles of family, friends, colleagues and even strangers, thus contributing to peaceability on a societal level.