Tantra Talks

A new pathway of certification in the field of Holistic Sexual Wellness.

For the FINAL Episode of Tantra Talks, we are spilling the tea…. The Institute of Authentic Tantra Education has changed our DBA to The Institute of Holistic Sexology. Here's Why… IATE was established in 2017 to lay the groundwork for the Authentic Tantra Certification Program, to become the first government-accredited school for Tantra, and the first and only government-accredited Tantra Certification Program. And guess what? We did it! From 2018-2019,  the Authentic Tantra Certification Program curriculum and the IATE underwent an extensive, year-long government review, which determined us to be a valid vocational training institution, offering legitimate credentials in the field of Holistic Wellness and Natural Healing. In fact, our Classification of Instructional Programming (CIP) Code is 51.3301 – Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and graduates of our certification programs function under the National Occupational Code  (NOC Code) 3232 – Practitioners of Natural Healing. This is an amazing accomplishment that has yet to be achieved by any other Tantra or Holistic Sexology Institution. IATE has offered the 12-month curriculum for Phase 2 of the Authentic Tantra Certification Program since 2016, and our last class of 2026 will complete a decade of providing this transformational tantra healing curriculum as a government-recognized, vocational training credential. The IATE has been a trailblazer in the field of sexual wellness.  The ATCP was the FIRST Tantra Certification program to offer: * First year-long Tantra Certification Program * First Multi-year Tantra Certification Training * Government-accredited credentials * Additional sexology certification with the American Board of Sexology (ABS) * ASSECT approved credits And now, we are thrilled to announce a new pathway of certification in the field of Holistic Sexual Wellness. On October 1st, 2025, registration will open for the world’s first—and still only—government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification, which is also pending submission for AASECT accreditation." This program offers government-reviewed and approved education and training for sex educators, coaches, and healers, enabling them to achieve essential core knowledge credits to become AASECT-certified sexuality counselors and ABS-certified Holistic and/or Clinical Sexologists. Authentic Tantra is a path of evolution and transformation. After a decade of offering the most highly accredited and cutting-edge Tantra Certification training program in the world, we are excited and delighted to share our growth and evolution with you in any way that is congruent with our deeply held values, ethical views, integrity, and alignment with our spiritual practice.

Cervical O's

You’ve heard about cervical orgasms. But did anyone ever teach you how to actually have one? Not the "grin and bear it" kind. Not the “get pounded and hope” kind. We’re talking about deep, soul-rattling, body-awakening cervical O’s—the kind that open portals, release trauma, and connect you to something way bigger than just pleasure. In Episode 12 of Tantra Talks, Devi and Dr. Chris take you deep into the real link between Tantra and cervical orgasms—how trauma, numbness, and cultural conditioning block this pleasure, and how to reclaim it with love, skill, and lineage-backed tools. Here’s what we unpack: * Why most Western medicine doesn’t even recognize the cervix as an orgasm zone * The truth about the cervix’s triple nerve innervation (yes, it’s that sensitive) * How trauma—from pap smears to pounding—disconnects us from our cervical wisdom * Why “just relax” and “go harder” are the worst advice ever * How the cervix is the heart point in Taoist sexual reflexology—and what that means for lovers * The role of the central channel and how the cervix connects to enlightened consciousness * Authentic Tantric Yoni Massage as a healing gateway (yes, it’s a thing—and yes, you need it) * Pleasure as medicine. Period.

Vajra Healing: Reclaiming the Penis as a Tool for Sacred Transformation

Let’s talk about it: The penis. The prick. The vajra. Yes, we said vajra—and no, we’re not just being poetic.In this powerful episode of Tantra Talks, we’re flipping the entire script on what it means to be a man, to own a penis, and to awaken your vajra—a sacred, conscious tool of healing, transformation, and power. This is the episode for every man (and every partner of a man) who’s ever wondered:"Is there more to sex than pounding and performing? "Spoiler: Oh, absolutely. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * Why your penis isn’t just for pleasure—it’s a literal diamond scepter of wisdom (aka Vajra) * How circumcision trauma numbs your sensitivity and blocks healing * The cultural cost of disconnection from our genitals (and how to undo it) * What it means to reclaim your sexual sovereignty as a man * How conscious lingam massage can awaken sensitivity and dissolve trauma * The difference between penetration and presence (and why the latter is way hotter) * How to rewire your nervous system to feel more—not just “get off” faster * The role of solo practice, emotional healing, and spiritual depth in becoming a mature lover "It’s not just a penis. It’s your Vajra."The word Vajra means “diamond thunderbolt” in Tibetan Buddhism. And according to traditional Tantra, your penis isn’t a weapon—it’s a wand of light. A conduit of healing. A force of spiritual power. A sacred instrument of connection. But here’s the thing: You can’t use your Vajra for healing until you do your own healing. That means slowing down, dissolving trauma, reclaiming sensitivity, and learning to feel again—from root to crown. Pleasure, Healing, & Power—For Real Dr. Chris shares his own journey of transformation—from numb, circumcised penis and porn-influenced pounding… to sensitive, emotionally present, heart-connected Vajra.This episode is honest, hilarious, and deeply reverent. We talk circumcision trauma, somatic wounding, sexual sovereignty, and the sacred invitation of being a man who leads with presence—not performance.We also name what most don’t dare say:That the modern world has stripped men of their right to fully feel— and it’s time to take it the f*ck back.

Ayahuasca Isn’t Your Shortcut to Enlightenment

It’s time we talked about it. Ayahuasca ceremonies. Mushroom trips. “Medicine work” on the weekends. There’s a growing obsession with plant spirit medicine in wellness spaces—and we’re here to lovingly (but firmly) call it what it is: a potentially dangerous bypass of the real work.In Episode 10 of Tantra Talks, Lama Tashi joins Devi Ward Erickson and Dr. Chris Erickson to explore the role (and risk) of plant spirit medicine in the context of authentic, lineage-based Tantra. Spoiler: he’s not pulling punches.What We Cover in This Episode: * Why ayahuasca is not safe without deep spiritual preparation * The unseen spiritual consequences of opening energetic portals unskillfully * The difference between true lineage and spiritual cosplay * How plant medicines are being casually commodified in the West * Why your “shaman” might just be a weekend workshop graduate * The link between entheogens, psychosis, and unprocessed trauma * What Tantra offers as an alternative path—rooted in clarity, structure, and daily embodied practice “It’s not sacred if it’s just for sale.” There’s a growing culture of turning sacred plant traditions into casual, capitalist adventures. But as Lama Tashi shares:“When you take these substances, you’re inviting spirits in. Do you know who or what you’re inviting?” Spoiler: it’s not always benevolent light beings. It could be demigods, manipulative spirits, or just raw unprocessed trauma. Without lineage, training, and real spiritual grounding, you’re playing with fire—and often calling it self-care.The Tantric Alternative: Results Without the RiskThis episode isn’t about shaming anyone who’s worked with plant medicine—it’s about discernment. Because Tantra gives you the tools to: * Enter altered states through breath, energy, and meditation—not chemicals * Heal your trauma without needing to break yourself open to feel something * Cultivate clarity and sovereignty within your nervous system, not override it * Walk a path of awakening that’s been refined over thousands of years—and actually works As Lama Tashi puts it: “If your spiritual practice isn’t improving your life—day by day—it’s not your medicine.”

Are Your Vibes Numbing You Out? The Truth About Vibrators, Pleasure & Power

Tantra Talks – with Devi Ward Erickson & Tugce Balik We’re getting real. Like, clit-sensation-real.If you’ve ever wondered whether your favorite toy is actually helping your pleasure—or slowly turning the volume down on your sensitivity—this episode is for you. In Episode 9 of Tantra Talks, Devi and Tugce dive into the truth about vibrators, overstimulation, and the not-so-subtle gaslighting happening in the pleasure product industry. Spoiler: your body isn’t broken—but your vibrator might be breaking your body’s trust.What You’ll Learn: * How vibrators can desensitize the clitoral nerve endings over time * Why “needing stronger settings” is a red flag, not a flex * The link between vibrator use and emotional dissociation * How vibrators can mimic the impact of p🌐rn on the nervous system * Why the sex toy industry is gaslighting women (and who’s profiting) * What your downward voiding winds are—and why electronics can disturb them * How vibrators were invented (hint: lazy doctors + hysterical housewives 😬) * What to do if you feel dependent on vibrators—and how to reclaim your sensitivity “It’s not about shame—it’s about sovereignty.” This episode is not anti-toy. It’s pro-awareness.We’re not saying never use a vibrator. We’re saying: use it with intention—not to override your body, but to deepen your connection to it. Because let’s be real: Many of us turn to vibrators to shortcut intimacy with ourselves—especially when we’re exhausted, emotionally shut down, or disconnected in our relationships. But when you start losing sensation, grinding for release, and reaching for level 10 buzz just to feel something... it’s time to pay attention. Reclaim Your Pleasure, Your Sensation & Your Power Devi and Tugce explore how authentic Tantra, the Orgasmic Awareness Practice, and Tibetan 5 Element Tantra can help reawaken your nervous system, restore your sensation, and support your healing—without shame, and without outsourcing your pleasure to plastic. 👉🏽 Want to come back to your body?