Is Tantra a Feminine Form of Yoga? Gopika's Journey from Bhakti Yoga to Śākta Tantra
In the midst of the hustle and bustle that often accompanies the beginning of the New Year, the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere invites us to embrace a different rhythm. January is still steeped in deep winter and so honouring the calls of Mother Nature, our need to slow down becomes more pronounced.
Connecting with our feminine flow during this season is not just a suggestion; it's a soul-nourishing practice that gently reminds us of the profound strength inherent in deep rest. In this interview, Gopika, a Tantric Priestess, shares her journey in discovering the essence of her Divine Feminine. Having initially traversed heavily male-centric Yogic paths, she eventually found solace and resonance in Tantra, drawn to its softer, slower pace and the inherent wisdom of the Feminine.
Gopika and I met each other a few years ago, when Gopika connected with me via Instagram to speak all things Tantra. I had the worst internet connection that day and Gopika still was gracious enough to hold on to the conversation. This grace is ever present and it helped us establish an immediate connection. Meeting Gopika is like being in the presence of a sensual Goddess. As you bask in her coy smiles and expressive eyes, you begin to feel Shakti stirring within your own being.
On this chilly winter morning, all bundled in a scarf and a hot herbal tea by my side, I had the privilege of engaging in a conversation with Gopika. Gopika has just returned from her pilgrimage in Nepal and Vrindavani and despite her extensive travels, she connected online to discuss her path, Bhakti Marga, the allure of India as her sanctuary, the profound aspects of Tantra, and the anticipation surrounding her upcoming Tantrik Priestess Training in Bali.
Gopika, could you take us back to that pivotal moment when you first encountered Yoga? How did it unfold?
“Hailing from the quiet haven of Long Island suburbs, where the cultural landscape was sparse, I yearned for more. Immediately after university, I relocated to New York to join the fashion industry and began getting interested in Yoga. I immersed myself in workshops and yoga sessions. Yoga felt like a return home, a rediscovery that resonated with my soul. It was a peaceful remembrance, achingly familiar.
Soon thereafter, I relinquished my corporate shackles to delve into Yoga Teacher Training. Blessed with an incredible support system, I juggled my rigorous training alongside a high-end fashion job. Once qualified, I jumped straight in the deep end and began teaching at the Yoga Ashram, even with the realization that it meant earning half the salary. The calling of Yoga was undeniable, guiding me towards a path illuminated by passion and purpose.”
Gopika's Yogic path began weaving threads of love, devotion, and self-discovery, I wanted to find out how she ended up traveling the world and living in India.
“The catalyst for my global adventures was meeting my Hare Krishna husband who initiated me onto the path of Bhakti Yoga. Together, we traveled the world, sharing profound teachings that resonated with seekers from various corners of the globe.
Their sacred journey led them to Vrindavan, a place pulsating with the spiritual energy of Krishna's birth. Immersed in the rhythmic cadence of mantras and kirtan, Gopika found solace and a heightened level of consciousness. Vrindavan became the crucible for her introduction to heart-centered practice—Bhakti, the sublime devotion that transforms and liberates.
As Gopika delved deeper into the Bhakti path, she encountered the power of mantras, the very essence of which lies in freeing the mind. The synergy of Tra, meaning Free, and Man, representing Mind, echoed a transformative process akin to wiping away dust from a mirror, allowing the soul to shine out like a thousand suns. It was in Vrindavan that she truly comprehended the profound impact of heart-based practices, understanding Bhakti as a journey of devotion and a powerful tool for confronting past karmas, dissolving blockages, and shedding prior conditioning.
However, even though Gopika lived in such exalted states amidst highly evolved spiritual beings, she craved a deeper level of freedom. She realised that her marriage was not working and she began feeling disempowered, as she could no longer grow in her current environment. So she decided to return back to America and figure out her next move. Here she resumed teaching Ayurveda and Yoga, where fate once again intervened, introducing her to a transformative figure—a Tantric Master from Nepal.
Incredible journey Gopika, and powerful way to be introduced to Tantra after years of practicing Bhakti Yoga, what happened next?
I left America once again and traveled to Nepal to study under my teacher. I immersed myself in the transformative practice of Tantra, learning advanced Pranayama, Mantra, Bandha, Yantra and Asana. Every day I would practice for 5 hours, experiencing a different, more embodied and even more powerful energy move from within my being.
This chapter of my journey marked a pivotal shift, Tantra became the conduit for unlocking deeper realms of self-realization and empowerment.
I was curious, seeing as Gopika had experienced the fullness of Yoga, I wondered aloud, what the difference was between the traditional path of Bhakti Yoga in comparison to Tantra
“In simplistic terms”, Gopika replied, “Tantra emerges as the catalyst for awakening the divine forces within one’s own being. One awakens the God and Goddess within whilst simultaneously calling back one’s personal power and stepping into it.
In the Bhakti Path, even though many of the practices are Tantric, there is a renunciation of your personal power, a tendency to diminish oneself. And this is the very last thing we need as women'' continues Gopika. “For centuries we have been told how we should be or what we must do, but that is detrimental to the feminine spirit. Centuries of societal dictates have constrained the feminine spirit and diminished the power of her intuition.
Unlike Bhakti Yoga, which aims to transcend the body, Tantra revels in imminence, an invitation to dive into the wombspace—amidst the imperfection and chaos. Here, there's no destination, only a cyclical existence, free from the need to prove oneself or conform to societal expectations. Tantra thus becomes an empowering haven for women, as it unabashedly embraces the body, providing nourishment from both the physical and spiritual realms.”
Hearing Gopika’s passionate response as well as her lived experience was truly an impactful reckoning.
Gopika continued, “The dedication to the Priestess Path seemed very much like the Path of the Witch, accentuating a woman's sovereignty. In Tantra, a woman becomes a Guru unto herself, connected to natural wisdom, reminiscent of the innocent exploration of childhood days spent frolicking in the woods or tumbling around on the beach. Tantra, is the teachings of Devi, embodying Līlā—the play of life, a spontaneous act of self-creation, which springs out from bliss, by bliss and for bliss.
Here Gopika emphasizes the importance of Shiva, the shining light of self-awareness. “Shiva represents Sadhana, a deeply devotional spiritual practice. Shiva anchors individuals into the soul's depth, facilitating the processing of expanded consciousness. In this dynamic interplay, Shakti, ever-changing and dynamic, dances with Shiva's form and stillness, embodying a richness to life that intertwines the physical and the spiritual realms.”
Gopika's transformative journey, particularly her encounter with Tantra, must have significantly altered her daily Sadhana over the years, so I wanted to know what her practice looks like now.
“I devoted 15 years of my life to daily yoga practice – a combination of asanas and pranayama, coupled with over a decade of chanting. It felt like a natural flow, guided by the movement of Prāṇa within me. Living in the spiritually charged environments of Vrindavan and Nepal, immersed in ashram life, deepened my connection to the practice.
“Then I came to Goa,” Gopika replied, eyes glinting mischievously, remembering the imminent freedom that awaited her amidst powdery sand, graceful coconut trees and the vast Arabian sea. “ And my practice transformed, I began dancing more along with other feminine embodiment practices. I found myself tapping into my intuition, asking, 'What do I feel like doing?' The vibrant energy of Goa, where you wake up to the warmth and throw yourself into the sea, brought a profound connection with nature.”
At this moment, as we spoke, Gopika's cat Sophie entered the room and purred luxuriously. Gopika immediately picked her up and introduced us, a beautiful reflection of her earlier words of being in tune with her surroundings; embracing the inherent nature of being.
I watched Gopika’s easeful grace, here was a woman who had entirely created her own reality and was living fully unto herself, the world around her felt like it was radiating and so I asked her, why across our society do we still experience challenges when it comes to exploring our independence and our naturally flowing sexual energy?
“I believe that men are afraid of falling under the spell of Māyā. Consequently, instead of delving into their own inner work, many opt for control. The full expression of a powerful feminine energy, particularly in its sexual essence, poses a threat to the male ego. This essence cannot be controlled or claimed by men. In contrast, a woman fully embracing her own nature and source from within exudes a captivating and authentic sensuality.”
Gopika highlights the importance of a conscious and mature approach to sexual energy for men. “When a man reaches this level of awareness, he can appreciate and witness the beauty of a sensual woman without the impulse to own or control her.” Drawing a parallel to Shiva, Gopika describes how a conscious man, like Shiva, reflects light like a mirror back to the feminine, allowing her to see and shine even more.
In Gopika's view, a genuinely powerful man is Tantric, finding union and deep meditation while allowing his energy to flow naturally. She contrasts this with the immature masculine, which tends to be action-oriented, emphasizing Shiva's stillness and silence.
“Kali dances in fury, her tongue lolling red, as she spews her wrath and her fire and Shiva lies there, holding her up. Shiva lies down and becomes the space for Kali as she unleashes her chaos and destructive creativity. Shiva holds this intense Shakti on his own body and remains unfazed by her wild dance.”
Gopika also challenges the notion of monogamy, perceiving it as enforced upon most couples, when it is not always natural for every situation. She sees it as an attempt to confine one's sexual energy within a box, culturally enforced over time. Gopika suggests that true awakening opens up different facets of unconditional love, facets that can not always be expressed and experienced through exclusivity with only one partner.
I was curious to know what Gopika’s daily rituals were to honor the Wild Goddess within her
To this, Gopika expresses her deep love for Ayurveda, which has been a constant guide since her early travels. She fondly recalls meeting a Female Ayurvedic practitioner who initiated her into Maharishi Ayurveda, enlightening her on dietary changes and much more. For the past 17 years, her morning ritual has been a sacred routine. Waking up before sunrise, she engages in practices like Neti and washing her eyes with cold water. Scraping the tongue to remove Ama and embracing Abhyanga (self-massage) with Ayurvedic oils are essential components of her routine. Being a Tantrika, Gopika also emphasizes the importance of self-worship, treating herself as a living Goddess, embodying the essence of Devi.
In this, Gopika beautifully intertwines her devotion to Ayurveda with her Tantric practices, creating a balance between self-care and spiritual connection. These rituals not only nourish her physical well-being but also honor the divine feminine within.
It sounds truly transformative Gopika. I know you are eager to impart so much of your wisdom to others and you have an incredible retreat coming up in April, can you tell us more?
Gopika enthusiastically introduces her Tantric Priestess Training, a week-long immersion into sacred ceremony and body practices.
“This transformative experience is designed around themes that embody Shakti circles, aiming to help women reclaim their power, assert their freedom, and tap into their pleasure.
The retreat begins with a heart-opening ceremony featuring plant medicines like Cacao and Blue Lotus, providing a connection to ancestral roots. A fire ceremony follows, symbolizing the burning and purification of anything that hinders women from freeing themselves. The choice of the term 'Rewild' is intentional, symbolizing the innate wildness present in women, often suppressed by societal conditioning and fear.
Throughout the retreat, women will engage in Moon Magic and Womb Wisdom sessions, delving into Archetypal Alchemy and exploring the four phases of women – Maiden, Mother, Wild Woman, and Crone. An impactful Shamanic Ceremony is included to elevate the exalted version of each phase. The exploration extends to the Dark Feminine, aiming to reclaim rage and sexuality as sacred forces. This involves a deep dive into the underworld to discover hidden power and strength.”
The retreat concludes with Erotic Embodiment, a celebration of life's essence. Gopika emphasizes the significance of women connecting with their Eros, the source of their greatest power. This final phase incorporates sensual dance and water rituals, creating an environment where women can authentically give and receive pleasure.
Overall, the 'Rewilding for Women' retreat promises a holistic and empowering journey, blending ancient practices with modern understanding to facilitate a profound transformation.
If you want to learn more about Gopika’s work you can find her on her website Yogini Shakti Tantra & on her Instagram
Author: Luchele Brook