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Happiness is when we are ourselves: Tantra Martin

Tantra-Martin

Tantra-Martin

AS a child I walked for hours in the wild.

I had been given the unique opportunity of observing lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros, crocodiles and many antelope for many hours.

About:

Tantra Martin is the name most people know me as. My mother knows me as William Martin du Toit. The names are from my Irish and French ancestors who met in South Africa more than 13 generations ago. My date of birth is usually given as “fifty something” but the day I saw the light is noted as 13 November 1954. I hold a masters degree in anthropology, with religion as the specialization subject. Right now I live in Ronda, Andalusia, Spain. It must be a special place as I’m here for more than 5 years already.

I have no hobbies or perhaps my life and work is my hobby. My profession is Tantra Teacher, maybe nothing special but I lead the largest international Tantric massage training organization in the world. I have a passion for taking this kind of Tantra back to India. Having visited India several times and having seen the tremendous need for the work we do, I have decided to write to you.

My Interview – My Life

Q: Welcome to Speakbindas.com. Let’s start with your childhood. Where were you born and raised? Any fond memories from your childhood that you cherish even today?

  • I was born in Germiston, just outside Johannesburg in South Africa. There are some stories of the great Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who traveled through that area as it was the route between Johannesburg and Pretoria. Initially I thought my childhood was a bit sad as my parents and the rest of the family was working very hard and I was home alone most of the time. Today I treasure that gift.

Q: As a child, you carried any special talent or art?

  • AS a child I walked for hours in the wild. I had been given the unique opportunity of observing lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros, crocodiles and many antelope for many hours. Obviously I could not tell my mother, which would have been the end of my freedom in the wild.

Q: What nickname/s you have/had so far?

  • I was always called William. Many times I tried to use my second name but nobody seemed to follow. When I started the Tantra work my second name Martin came very naturally to me. Tantra Martin, a name I love.

Q: What education you acquired? How was it in sense of troubles? Whether you could complete the same easy way or faced the financial issues? If yes, how you overcame the same?

  • I started off by studying medicine but due to my unacceptable habit of associating myself with individuals of color, I was asked to leave. I then completed a degree in theology. Because of my reluctance of joining the apartheid church institutions, once again, I had to move on. The final degrees were in anthropology. It is quite strange but my father, my brother, my sister and my son, we all studied theology, but no one entered the church as profession.

Q: Who was/were your best friend/s during your school/highschool times?  Are you still in touch with them?

  • My best friend was Corlia, a beautiful, athletic and very friendly girl. With her I could talk about life. She was the one who inspired me to write poetry, to meditate and to practice deep thinking. We met again after 30 odd years and we can still talk about life.

Q: What was your favorite subject of study?

  • The human being.

Q: What was your favorite sport?

  • Triathlon. I completed several ironman competitions.

Q: Any teacher that you still remember as particularly influential?

  • I’m not too keen to remember any teachers as they all lied to me by telling me that apartheid was a God given divide.

Q: What was the first job/profession/business you started working for after completing your education?

  • I started a job as lecturer in communication, at a tertiary institute for adult students in an area demarcated for black people only.

Q: Are you popular in your friend circle or say your community for some art /specialty/talent you have? If yes, tell us about it.

  • Popular is not the right word. I’m well respected by my friends as a person who speaks straight about the divine in us.

Q: In addition to being paid money, how else has your career created value in your life?

  • I have always been in teaching or training jobs. Through teaching I have received an exceptional gift to learn that a teacher has the responsibility to tell the whole story, the whole truth and nothing but it.

Q: What is your most significant accomplishment as a professional/businessman/employee?

  • To start an international organization with no money. To start an international Tantra business with no money.

Q: What does the word “family” mean to you? Who are in your family? Tell us about your family life.

  • Family is a small concept for me. Small as in the number of individuals in it. My family include my wife, my parents, my children and the in-laws. I also have a family in the Tantra community that I lead.

Q: According to you what should be the role of a man and a woman in family life?

  • The role of the woman is to push the man into personal spiritual enlightenment and the role of the man is to be eternally grateful to her for that.

Q: What is your definition of “happiness”?

  • Happiness is when we are ourselves. When we realize that we are more than the past or the future. When we live the abundant NOW! Happiness is from within. Happiness is our birthright and it is available to all. Happiness does NOT need to be acquired; it just needs to be unwrapped.

Q: What is your most memorable travel experience?

  • To travel to India and to wake up in an ashram.

Q: If you were re-born as an animal, what would you want to be?

  • Eagle

Q: Do you think life in villages or small towns is more peaceful than in big cities?

  • Yes. In my village my 10 year old son can be out till midnight all alone with his friends. I treasure that gift for him and for me.

Q: Do you believe in God? Do you believe in rebirth?

  • I do believe in God. I also believe in me. I believe in rebirth at times, depending on the person I talk to.

Q: Are you happy with present system of education? What changes you aspire to see in it?

  • Education is lacking so much, all over the world. Education perpetuates the problems and limitations of the past. Teachers need to wake up themselves before they should be allowed to start their work.

Q: What do you think about corruption amongst politicians/bureaucrats?

  • Not much. At least they are clever enough to exploit the people who hand them their own power.

Q: What are your hobbies?

  • Active breathing

Q: What do you read? In other words, are you into reading? If yes, share your favorite books.

  • I’m still looking for a god book to read.

Q: What was the happiest moment of your life?

  • When I embraced my own greatness for what it is.

Q: What was the gloomiest moment of your life?

  • When I believed the reality of others.

Q: Say, you are sponsored to travel to 3 world destinations, where you need not to worry about costs for food, hotel or anything. Which destinations would you pick up, and why? Would you like to take someone along with you? If yes, whom?

  • The most northern point and the most southern point of India. I will start in the middle. I would like to invite my wife.

Q: Are you into watching movies? If yes, which fills your list of favorites ones?

  • No

Q: What are some words or phrases you use most?

  • Be yourself!

Q: What image about you, you want to create in other people’s mind?

  • Tantra Martin

Q: What would be the one thing you would change about yourself?

  • The inability to sit still for long.

Q: What is your deepest fear?

  • That one day everyone will be enlightened.

Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

  • Jesus Christ

Q: What’s your favorite food?

  • Anything but very spicy Indian food! Actually I like Chinese food most.

Q: What’s your take on the technological advancement these days? Does it make people’s life simple or complicated?

  • Some do and others don’t.

Q: What’s your overall perception of life?

  • A gift too great for most.

Q: Any special message you would like to share with people you know as well everyone else? This question is question-less question. That means, if you have something inside you that you really wish to tell but couldn’t be covered in above questions, you can share it ALL here.

  • Tantra is not about chakras. Tantra is against chakras. Chakras identify a problem. Tantra allows the free flow of energy throughout the whole person. In this scenario, chakras do not exist.

http://www.alegraluz.com

http://www.shivashaktitours.com

http://www.internationalschooloftantra.com

About

Devang Vibhakar is the Founder and Editor of www.SpeakBindas.com. He has interviewed more than 350 people. His effort was recognized by Limca Book of Records, twice. He has been to Scotland as well as Germany as part of vocational & cultural exchange programs and has compiled five books so far. He's passionate about bringing forth interesting stories & interviews of entrepreneurs to avid readers of SpeakBindas. He can be reached here.

3 thoughts on “Happiness is when we are ourselves: Tantra Martin

  1. Diana says:

    Wow, Martin, you are doing an outstanding work. I visited your site and found the program very interesting.

    On my next trip to Europe, I will make it for Tantra Massage.

  2. Maria says:

    Hi Martin
    Congratulations with the interview. I like your life story.
    I look forward to travel with you in India.
    Your beloved wife.

  3. Koos says:

    AS a child I walked for hours in the wild. I had been given the unique opportunity of observing lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros, crocodiles and many antelope for many hours. ??????????…… Huh!!, Germiston in SA is the 6th largest city in SA and is more than 100 years old. NO WILD animals roamed this town for the last 80 years.

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