Tantra is not about sex, so how did this misconception arise? It comes from a misunderstanding of an aspect of tantra called kaula, which includes practices using sex, meat, fish, alcohol, and mudras (hand gestures).  These are sacred, ceremonial practices that can be done only by accomplished masters who have already achieved an extraordinary level of knowledge and self-mastery. The purpose of these practices is the transformation of the practitioner’s vrittis (subtle impressions from the past), and has nothing to do with indulgence or gluttony.