Actress Heather Graham is a practitioner of Tantra. But according to Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, the star of "Boogie Nights" and "The Hangover" is promoting a flagrant misconception of the ancient movement which has influenced the philosophies of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
Graham has been interested in Hindu spirituality and religious philosophy for years. Coincidentally, she played an adult film star offering mind-body mystical guidance in 2002's "The Guru."
While promoting her upcoming bit part in "The Hangover", Graham told U.K. newspaper The Daily Mail that she "first got into it when I was filming The Guru in 2002 and I haven't looked back". She added the intense ritual "works for me".
But it's not just sex. Zed contends Tantrism extends way beyond the healing power of sexual energy.
The Tantric method is a divinely-sourced tradition dating back to 4th century India. It deals with metaphysical revelation and contemplative exercises that place the seeker on a conscious journey to inner peace and self-awareness.
In a recent press release, Zed furthered his argument stating, "Hindus welcomed Hollywood bigwigs to immerse in Hinduism but taking it seriously and not just flirting with its terminology and concepts and using it as a fashion statement."
Zed added, "Graham and other Hollywood celebrities needed to have more patience and go beyond the superficial because Hinduism concepts evolved over thousands of years and needed serious study."
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