For the first time in recent history, representatives of the sexual traditions of the two great cultures of India and China will come together to discuss the practical and esoteric nature of their sexual arts. Charles Muir, the pioneer of the modern Tantra movement in the west will meet Master Mantak Chia who has brought forth the hidden Taoist practices of ancient China.  This will be a historic occasion.  This event will be moderated by Alan Steinfeld and Sharon Smith with commentary by Allyson and Alex Grey.

Charles Muir - has been deeply involved in practicing yoga's spiritual aspects since the 1960’s. As a teacher of yoga, he observed that the traditional yogic methods of celibacy as a way of expressing one's sexual energy was inappropriate for most of his yoga students who were householders. In 1980, he originated Tantra: The Art of Conscious Loving. Muir’s gift is his ability to translate the sexual practices of ancient India so they can be understood by the western mind.  To this end, he has developed unique experiential exercises that transform sex into a profound and loving meditation that increases intimacy, joy, and connection in a couple's life. He is well-known for his innovations around sacred spot massage as well as the elevated role of the goddess in sexual practices.

Master Mantak Chia -was trained in the most sacred and closely held Taoist practices, formulas and methods of internal alchemy, culminating in the Reunion of Heaven and Human.  He was one of the first to bring these Immortal practices to western students, His first two books, Cultivating Male (and Female) Sexual Energy were breakthroughs in in helping men and women tap into a deeper level of sexual energy. He created the Universal Healing Tao system to effectively share the ancient Chinese meditative and internal energy practices transmitted to him by a series of masters and teachers from throughout Asia.  By re-establishing a direct connection with the natural energies surrounding us, the subtle awareness necessary for spiritual progress arises spontaneously.  Ultimately, the boundaries of the physical body are transcended by the development of the soul and spirit bodies.

Alan Steinfeld has been the host of the popular cable program New Realities for over 15 years. The program specializes in interviews with the world’s leading artists, healers, scientist and spiritual leaders. He is the founder of the holistic web portal www.newrealities.com that tracks all the body/mind/spirit activities in the New York area.  His television program can be seen every Monday night at 9pm on channel 57 in Manhattan. He has been a student of both Charles Muir and Mantak Chia and feels this evening is one of those historic events.

Sharon Smith has been practicing and teaching Qigong, Tai Chi, & other Taoist spiritual and healing arts for over 25 years. She is certified by Master Mantak Chia's Universal Tao system as a Senior Instructor and Chi Nei Tsang Practitioner and currently teaches seminars internationally as well as regularly at the New York Open Center.  She is a recipient of numerous foundation grants for her work with senior citizens and in community mental health programs. She was a spokesperson for Qigong on the nationally syndicated PBS television show, "Asian America". Sharon writes the Chinese Astrology Column for the Asian Food and Lifestyle Journal.