Ashram West

A Queer-affirming Spiritual Community

Gay Tantra

Welcome! My name is Bhairava Mahavirananda, but many know me simply as Brother William.
Tantra teaches that our essential nature is pure, perfect, and divine, and encourages the integration of all aspects of life with spirituality, including sexuality. Tantra offers a variety of psychological methods for developing greater awareness of our true divine Self.

Gay Tantra recognizes the special needs and unique advantages of those who have developed a gay identity. Most gay-identified persons have grown up in a culture that views gay love as unnatural and immoral. These false notions about gayness often get internalized leading to feelings of shame and unworthiness. Most traditional religions contribute to the psychic and spiritual wounding of gay persons by promoting these notions. Many gay persons rightly reject traditional religions as a result, perhaps substituting work, compulsive sex, drugs, or a combination of these. Gay Tantra can help gay persons develop a well-integrated gay identity that can be a positive asset in spiritual life.
To begin learning more about Gay Tantra, read the Introductory Essay.

Individual Instruction & Counseling

To get instruction or counseling contact Brother William by email. There is never a fee for Ashram West services. Donations are gratefully accepted. The suggested donation for individual instruction and counseling is $40-$100, and no one is ever turned away for inability to donate.

Ashram West Membership

Three levels of membership

Student Membership
Anyone may become a student of Ashram West by seeking individual instruction or by reading our books. Student Members may participate in all public activities of the Ashram and in those private groups for which they qualify.

Supporter Membership

Supporter Members are students who support the work of Ashram West either by volunteering at Ashram events or by making tax-deductible donations by subscription.

Monastic Membership

Those supporting members who decide to make a deeper commitment to spiritual life may request to become monks of Ashram West. A monk makes spiritual practice the center of his life. He may continue to live anywhere he chooses, and he need not embrace celibacy, but he will devote himself to daily practice and follow the monastic rule. His monastic training will progress as follows: 1. A period of Probation to last no less than one calendar year;2. A period of Novitiate to last no less than five calendar years:3. Full Ordination given at the discretion of Brother William.A student member should have received meditation instructions from Brother William and practiced as instructed with regular reports for at least one year before requesting monastic membership and training. For more information contact Brother William.
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