The Tantric Way: Art, Science, Ritual

In recent years, the West has shown a wide and enthusiastic interest in tantra and its application to everyday life. Though its roots are in Hinduism, tantra's goals are the universal ones of self-knowledge and liberated joy. Its methods and effects transcend geography and era. Basing its approach on a historical and explanatory survey, this book deals in a detailed way with astronomy, astrology, alchemy, and cosmology in tantrism. In addition, there is discussion of the different viewpoints of "left-hand" and "right-hand" tantrikas and their respective attitudes towards human sexuality and its place in ritual. The drawings and illustrations serve further to explain and instruct, thus providing a unique opportunity for close contact with one of the world's oldest practical methods of achieving an expanded and creative awareness of oneself.