A Tantric Perspective on Reclaiming Our Inner Worth

A Tantric Perspective on Reclaiming Our Inner Worth

Internalizing Capitalism: A Tantric Perspective on Reclaiming Our Inner Worth

In today’s fast-paced, achievement-driven world, many of us unknowingly internalize the values of capitalism. We measure our worth based on how productive we are, what we achieve, and how well we conform to society’s expectations of success. This creates a disconnect between our true selves and the roles we are forced to play, leading to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and burnout. From a Tantric perspective, however, this materialistic view of worth is fundamentally flawed. Tantra offers us a radically different way to see ourselves and our place in the world—one that transcends productivity and aligns us with our intrinsic divine nature.

What Is Tantra?

Before delving into how capitalism’s values contrast with Tantric principles, it’s important to clarify what Tantra is. Often misunderstood in the West as purely sexual practices, Tantra is actually a holistic spiritual philosophy that views all aspects of life as sacred. Rather than rejecting the material world or seeking transcendence, Tantra teaches us to embrace our humanity and the divine energy that exists within us. It is about awakening to the deeper truths of existence, recognizing our connection to the universe, and finding wholeness in our lived experiences.

In Tantra, there is no separation between the sacred and the mundane. Everything—including our bodies, emotions, desires, and daily activities—can be a gateway to spiritual growth. This view is fundamentally different from the capitalist perspective, which often reduces our identity to what we produce, neglecting the deeper aspects of who we are.

The Capitalist Trap: External Worth vs. Inner Divinity

In a capitalist society, our worth is defined by external achievements. We are constantly pushed to be more productive, to achieve more, and to always be moving toward some future goal. This focus on "doing" leads to a cycle of endless striving. Our self-worth becomes tied to how well we perform, what titles we hold, or how much money we make. While this may seem like the only way to survive in today’s world, it distances us from our true selves and the deeper aspects of our existence.

From a Tantric perspective, this mindset is an illusion—maya. We forget our divine essence and get lost in the material world, believing that our worth is something to be earned, rather than something we inherently possess. In Tantra, the truth is that each of us is already whole, already perfect, already divine. Our worth is not tied to what we do or achieve but is a reflection of the sacred energy that resides within us.

The Tantric Path: Reclaiming Our Inner Wholeness

So how do we break free from the capitalist trap of external validation and reconnect with our inner worth? Tantra offers several practices and perspectives that can help us reclaim our sense of self and live more authentically.

1. Awareness of the Present Moment

Tantra teaches us to embrace the present moment as sacred. In the capitalist mindset, we are always focused on the future—on the next achievement, the next goal, the next thing we must do to feel worthy. But in doing so, we lose connection with the present, where true fulfillment can be found.

Through meditation, mindfulness, or simply paying attention to our breath, we can reconnect with the present moment and recognize that our worth is not something that exists in the future. It is here, now, in the simple act of being.

2. Embracing Both Light and Shadow

Capitalism encourages a culture of perpetual positivity and success. It glorifies those who are constantly achieving and looks down upon rest, reflection, or moments of vulnerability. In contrast, Tantra encourages us to embrace both our light and our shadow sides—our strengths and our weaknesses, our productivity and our rest.

In Tantra, true growth comes from integrating all aspects of ourselves, not just the parts that are socially celebrated. We honor our emotions, our bodies, our desires, and even our moments of struggle, recognizing them as integral to our wholeness.

3. Seeing the Divine in Ourselves and Others

At the heart of Tantric philosophy is the understanding that divinity is not something separate from us—it is within us. Every human being is an expression of the divine. This means that we are inherently worthy, not because of what we do, but because of who we are.

When we internalize this truth, we begin to see ourselves and others in a new light. We no longer judge people based on their status, achievements, or material success. Instead, we recognize their divine essence and honor the unique spark of life that exists within them.

4. Sacred Action: Shifting from Doing to Being

While capitalism places an excessive emphasis on "doing," Tantra invites us to shift our focus toward "being." This doesn't mean that action has no place in life. In fact, Tantra celebrates action—but action that arises from a place of inner alignment, not societal pressure.

In the Tantric path, actions are seen as sacred when they are done with full awareness and connection to our inner essence. Rather than frantically working to prove our worth, we engage in activities that are aligned with our deepest truths, that nourish our soul, and that connect us to the divine flow of life.

Moving Beyond Capitalist Conditioning: Awakening to Our True Worth

When we internalize capitalism, we start to believe that our worth is conditional—something to be earned through productivity and achievement. But from a Tantric perspective, this is a distortion of our true nature. We are inherently valuable, not because of what we do, but because we are expressions of the divine.

Reclaiming this understanding requires a shift in consciousness. We must let go of the idea that we are human "doings" and embrace the truth that we are human beings—beings that are already whole, already sacred, and already enough. By integrating Tantric practices into our lives, we can move beyond capitalist conditioning and awaken to the profound truth of our worth.

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, let us remember the Tantric wisdom that our worth lies not in what we achieve, but in the divine essence that we already embody.

Namaste

Amanda 

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