As a culture, we Americans are a bit uptight about sex. Our discomfort with lovemaking starts at an early age: Young children, ever since the colonists first landed, have come to dread "the talk" as one of the most extreme forms of torture. How can a culture that seems so sexual, that has reveled in everything from the exploitation of Britney (pre-K-Fed, that is) to the glorification of Pam, be so uptight about sex? Well, turns out we can't totally blame George Bush for this one. Our sex taboo has its roots in the Puritans who established our nation, who believed that sex was a sort of sin. While our culture's views aren't as extreme as theirs were, we still, nonetheless, don't wholly embrace sex as the natural, beautiful thing it is. To start with the basics, humans are animals. Animals have certain urges. We, as animals, have certain urges. Luckily for society, we have the super ego to counterbalance all these reckless urges. After all, without some restraint, "Casual Fridays" could easily turn into "Flashy Fridays," and we'd have to worry infinitely more about our aesthetic state "down there." But there comes a point where enough is enough, where all of the societal pressures add up to too much restraint, making us start to feel guilty about enjoying a good thing. As a result, human sexuality is suppressed. Believe it or not, it doesn't have to be this way. A little-known Eastern practice called "tantra" — perhaps you've heard of it — could totally revamp the way that we as a culture think of the big S-E-X. Tantra turns the misconception that sex is "dirty" on its head, stressing the fact that sex is a spiritually fulfilling pastime that can have positive effects on all aspects of one's life — so listen up, all you New Age enthusiasts. Tantra can be translated as "sacred sexuality," which means that while we as animals have the sexual urge simply because of the pleasure it entails, sexual desires also correlate with a desire to fulfill a spiritual void. For most people, the enjoyment of sex provides some sort of physical release from the daily stress of life. By following tantric methods, there is not only a release, but a deep spiritual enlightenment as well. The basic teachings of tantra stress the total surrender of all mental, emotional and cultural conditioning that one has experienced regarding sex. Once these stresses are abolished, a new realm of awareness can take place. Our sexual energy becomes our ally. But enough about the theory, let's move on to putting tantra into practice between the sheets. Tantric sex is not about "getting off;" quite the contrary, actually. It's about embracing yourself as a sexually liberated human being and having a spiritual connection with your partner. "There is no goal in tantric sex, only the present moment of perfect and harmonious union," explains Nitya Lacroix, author of the book "The Art of Tantric Sex." Concentrating on your partner's energy, touch and warmth of his or her skin can help you remember that you are not the only one feeling pleasure. Tantra practices aim to prolong the process of having sex and help practitioners focus intently on the orgasmic energies running through their bodies. With this meditative mindset, orgasms of 20 minutes or more can occur, and can recur the same way for hours. So next time you meet someone at a bar and his or her pick up line is, "I can last for hours!" it may not be a lie. Although in our sexually repressed culture, chances of being picked up by a person familiar with tantra are slim. Tantric sex can promote non-sexual benefits as well. You learn to become more comfortable in your own skin, after abolishing all the negative sexual connotations that American culture has kindly bestowed upon you. Also, while having sex, tantra teaches you to be patient and relax, which can carry over to helping you take a meditative outlook on life. Lastly, tantra teaches you to be honest and open about what you want in sex and in life. Ultimately, though, a tantric lifestyle leads its followers away from sexual and emotional repression, and encourages them to express their passions. I recommend tantric sex as a good experience for any couple. While it is easier to learn if you're in a committed relationship, it can also work if you've known your partner for, say, 15 minutes. So instead of engaging in the same, routine romp between the sheets, try something new. Remember, college is the perfect time for experimentation, including sexual experimentation. Why not release your inhibitions and try something new? Your sex life could not only be more physically pleasurable, it could be more spiritually rewarding.