Tantra Yoga is usually misinterpreted in todays world. Here, one researcher investigated this subject and interviewed one worker of Ananda Marga. '

1. Would you please tell me your age and how you became a senior monk in Ananda Marga?

A: I am 62 years old. I came in contact with Ananda Marga meditation when i was about 15 years old. I decided to become a monk at the age of 18 years but waited to complete my education and finally became a monk at the age of 29 years. I became a monk under the guidance and inspiration of my beloved Master Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiiji in order to serve the society.

2. How do you view your life as a male tantric?

A: Every human being has masculine and feminine traits in them. The difference between males and females is only a matter of some glands. Every spiritual person needs to recognize the universal power that pervades our existence. The role of male and female tantric is the same- to break our shackles that keep us bound to transient body and the world.

3. Can you see any differences between male and female tantrics in Ananda Marga?

A: The differences among human beings are many- at the physical level(bio-psychological level), at the emotional level and general mental make up. Yet, our spiritual longing is the same.

4. Do the nuns and monks have different rules? If yes- why is that?

A: The fundamental rules are more or less similar.

5. When a man becomes initiated he will be initiated by a monk and a female by a nun, why is that?

A: In order to preserve the inter-personal purity of relations between men and women. Usually, monks and nuns are not permitted to remain alone with member of the opposite sex .So it is more convenient and secure for monks to initiate only brothers and nuns to initiate only sisters.

6. If someone who is gay would be initiated, would that person be initiated by someone of the opposite sex?

A: No. usually we do not make any distinction between gay or lesbian nature of people..if they are biologically males, they are initiated by males and if biologically females, they are initiated by nuns.

7. If someone who is intergender (chooses not to define as male or female) would be initiated, would that person be initiated by someone of the same biological sex? If someone who is tansexual who has changed their sex would that person be initiated by someone with the same sex or the sex as the person was born as?

A: It is at the discretion of the initiating acarya as to what they consider most comfortable to them.

8. What does Ananda Marga say about homosexuality?

A: Nature has provided human beings with many complex systems of glands and hormones. It is natural for humans to have attraction for similar or opposite sex. Our goal is to transcend physical attraction and try to connect with the spiritual entity that lies beyond gender differences. Our system of meditation is the process to achieve that unison.

9. In tantra you focus on the union of the Shiva and Shakti aspects of the individual. Is that a spiritual goal,or is the main goal to reach a stage beyond gender?

A: It is the spiritual goal-to unite unit consciousness with Supreme consciousness. It is the same goal; for men and women. Shakti is our kula-kundalini when it is lying at muladhar cakra and its merger in shiva represents its ensconsement at highest plexus.

10. Some of the books I have read about Tantra claims that women get more possibilities in Tantrism than in other religious movements. Is that true for Ananda Marga?

A: In Ananda Marga, men and women are considered to have equal rights and responsibilities. They can practise all the rituals and techniques that are good for their body, mind and spirit. Women do not do tandava because it is not appropriate for their physiology. Each asana is prescribed also considering special needs of men and women.

11. Can you see any differences concerning gender due to the cultural context, for example: are there any differences in for example Sweden and India?

A: Superficially, yes, there are many but in essence, human culture is one. Of course, men and women have more equal status in sweden than in India but that is also changing fast in India.

12. Are men and women really equal in theory and in practice in Ananda Marga in Sweden?

A: They have their respective roles. Women have a special responsibility to help other women and children in times of disasters or need. Equality is a theoretical concept. Every body is different and yet, AM does not propagate any discrimination between men and women.It is also the duty of men to see that women are empowered and provided their due status and necessary comforts of life. Let every human being be provided the best available opportunity to contribute to upliftment of humanity.

13. Does the fact that you are a man influence your personal spiritual development in any way?

A: No

14. Some of the books I have read tell about tantrics using alcohol, meat and sexual intercourse in rituals and that women are being used in these rituals by male tantrics. Would you like to write a little about that?

A: Yes, that is called the left handed path in tantra. In Ananda Marga, that is avoided and discouraged. Instead, our goal is to unify unit consciousness with supreme consciousness that is beyond gender considerations. Sexual intercourse has little connection with spiritual union of unit consciousness and supreme consciousness. Sexual energy is indeed strong force in all mammals and creatures. We need to learn to control or channel it through selfless service or ideological karma yoga. Even householders in AM are encouraged to apply restraint in matters of sexual intercourse in order to preserve body lymph for intellectual and spiritual pursuits..

15. How do you view Shiva and Parvati, and Kali. Do you see them as divinities?

A: According to Ananda Marga - Parvati , Kali and Gaunga were three wives of Shiva. We treat them like that. Divinity is in all beings. Yet, Shiva is considered as the personification of Supreme Divinity.

16. A lot of unpleasant things are to be read about Ananda Marga, for example that there where sucpisions of murder, that your guru was put in jail and that Anada Marga was involved in the murder of Olof Palme, would you please tell me a bit about that and why you think peple are saying these things about Ananda Marga?

A: Most of these are rumours and spread without any proof at all and probably by vested interests who felt threatened by rapid growth of Ananda Marga in the world in 1960's onwards. Ananda Marga believes in Ahimsa-not to hurt anyone by thought, word or action. AM does not believe in murders or criminality. True,Guru was kept in jail but finally released also by courts with honour. Yet, If any individual has done anything bad , that is their personal weakness and not endorsed by AM.

17. Would you please tell me something about gender in Ananda Marga that I have not said anything about?

A: Women in general should be treated like sisters, mothers or daughters depending on their age unless she becomes one's wife. Similarly, men should be treated as brothers, fathers or sons depending on their age unless he becomes one's husband. AM does not encourage boy-friend/girl friend culture without responsibility to create a family. or we can say that AM is slightly conservative in these matters.