The Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga (Dover Occult) [Paperback]

Arthur Avalon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Occult | Publication Date: June 1, 1974

Written by a leading authority on Shaktic and Tantric thought, this book is considered the prime document for study and application of Kundalini yoga. It probes the philosophical and mythological nature of Kundalini, the esoteric anatomy associated with it, the study of mantras, the chakras, or psychic centers in the human body, much more.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 1, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486230589
• ISBN-13: 978-0486230580
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hardcore Shaktic and Tantric Kundalini Yoga (Chakras), November 25, 2003

By 

OverTheMoon ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga (Dover Occult) (Paperback)

The only reason why I have this book, which is mostly hardcore Hinduism, is because of reading - The Tibetan Book of the Dead by W.Y.Evans-Wentz which is essentially Buddhism. In that book, and especially his follow-up books (Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines), Evans-Wentz makes reference to The Serpent Power in many of his footnotes. There are also introductions by Sir John Woodroffe (Arthur Avalon) in the books of Evans-Wentz. There are aspects of Buddhism and Hinduism that are intertwined. Hinduism is more like Christianity, in that it uses deities and faith to help one understand much of that which it espouses on. Buddhism is more psychological and metaphysical. That is why Evans-Wentz books have all introductions by Jung.

One of the main points of interest that has been adopted by Buddhism are the chakra, which are better known as - The Psychic Centers. There are seven of these centers in the human body. They are connected and are mostly psychological. Evans-Wentz does a good job of explaining these Psychic Centers in his own books but if you really want to see where Buddhist chakra developed from then no look further than the master book on the topic - The Serpent Power.

Now a word of warning. Hinduism is nothing like Buddhism or Christianity and this book is a world away from most Buddhist literature. It is heavy on Sanskrit and is certainly tough reading. However this whole book is a secret doctrine about the chakra, the psychic centers and Kundalini yoga. That doctrine is also called - The Description of the Six Chakras and the Five-fold footstool. There is 300 pages of an introduction and then the entire translation of that doctrine.

Those who wish to find out more about Kundalini Yoga or the Chakra may be advised to check out the works of W.Y.Evans-Wentz first before moving on to this more complex topic. It is presented in the manner of Hinduism and is certainly tough going - however the goal is attainable right here within these pages.

57 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best work on Kundalini in English, August 21, 1998

By 

(Riley Jackson) [e-mail] (Schaumburg near Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga (Dover Occult) (Paperback)

This work will bring the reader into the power of Devatma Shakti Kundalini just by reading and pondering the text. Old feelings will find a home in the transformation from experience to understanding as the book flows forward. Gentle delight is the mark of a true Tantric text and this book, although strange and difficult at times, is pure de-light. If you want to know about Chakras and such, this is a classic text by one who really knows. Old and grand, this is a favorite treasure of mine and one I give away regularly to friends who must have more. Lam-to-Aum... Riley Jackson

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On Point, July 28, 2001

By 

Linda L Love (San Marcos, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga (Dover Occult) (Paperback)

This book is one of the more sophisticated of the books that deals with this topic. Givin in a traditional fashion that could be annoted only to such a scholar, and pioneer, as John Woodroffe. The detail is uncompairable and unless you have a solid understanding for the language and representations, it is a hard read.