Tantra: Cult of the Feminine (Paperback)

~ Andre Van Lysebeth (Author) "Indian thinkers have the excellent habit of first defining the terms they intend to use..." (more)
Key Phrases: ejaculatory tract, cellular republic, species pole, Mula Bandha, Path of the Valley, Santa Claus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For Tantra, creation is not a single event that took place some billions of years ago, it’s a continuous process. Creation is here and now!

Known only for the virtues of its sexual practice, ancient Tantric ideology is a universal and wide-reaching ideology virtually ignored in the West. In Tantra: The Cult of the Feminine, one of Europe’s foremost Tantric authors and teachers, André Van Lysebeth, gives readers a balanced, well-informed, modern examination of the secret teachings and symbolism of Tantra.

Espousing no dogma, Tantra involves a search for reality that contradicts neither science nor religion. For Tantra, all of the myriad energy forms in the universe — gravity, nuclear cohesion, electromagnetism — exist throughout the cosmos. "Scientifically speaking, the universe is a gigantic continuum ranging from sub-atomic to astronomical dimensions. Tantrists have perceived this unity for over thirty-five centuries," points out Van Lysebeth in his introduction.

Originally published in 1992 and now being released in paperback for the first time, Tantra has become the classic text on the subject, the source for serious students. Eight full-color illustrations and 36 line drawings complement a comprehensive and contemporary explanation of Tantra, complete with meditations. Van Lysebeth has done a remarkable job of bringing ancient theories into the modern world.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Weiser Books (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877288453
• ISBN-13: 978-0877288459
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #275,741 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing and Thorough!, July 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Tantra: The Cult of the Feminine (Hardcover)

I've perused an number of books trying to figure out just what Tantra is about. They are mostly obscure, or lacking answers to the questions which inevitably come to mind. This author, however, leaves no stone unturned, providing not only interesting background, culture, and history, but the very practical "how to" go about it. His directions are clear, easy to follow, and effective. My favorite part of the book, however, was the two pages at the end of the book where he talked about the relationship between Guru and Chela, based on Tantra. This is a relationship vision for which I had long been searching. Another book which I found exceedingly valuable is "Passionate Enlightenment".

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Neo-Tantra non plus ultra, June 21, 2006

By	J. Ely "Yoga.Twobirds" (Tularosa Basin, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've seen this book before but never actually considered reading it, until upon the advice of a yoga friend of mine. Well, I can say that it was a mostly interesting read. Yet most of what he says here is abstract philosophical vapor, being in praise of Matriarchy and the Great Goddess and all that. It's like talking about talking about something, but never actually getting around to the thing itself. And what little there was of practical, experiential value [pp. 297-340] as yogic sadhana, is not original at all. Of particular interest was the fact that he complained so much about Osho (a.k.a. Bhagawan Rajneesh, Sri Sri Neo-Tantra). To me, when someone complains about someone else SO MUCH and are at such pains to distinguish and distance themselves, its a sign that they really *are* that similar, after all! Osho was (in)famous for promoting "neo-tantra," that is, an uninhibited sexual free-for-all for Westerners seeking both sex and enlightenment ("enlightened sex"?). Van Lysbeth's teaching are what I'd call "neo-tantra non plus ultra" (Neo-tantra--and not much more). He even uses the ridiculous term, "cosmic orgasm" [p. 345]. Still, it was interesting read & it fits with a lot of material I've been working with in other esoteric avenues, personally. The books numerous shortcomings include: the meandering writing style, no credits for photos/maps/diagrams used throughout [but note the excellent diagrams of ano-genital musculature, pp.306-307], the Mughal-style Kama Sutra paintings portrayed as tantric "asanas", the incessant textual references to works not cited in the Bibliography, the pretentious posture of imparting tantric "secrets" not discussed elsewhere, and the contrived historical sense of a "Tantra" that never existed except in the minds of befuddled Westerners and the Eastern gurus who sexploited them. If you want to learn something about Tantra, read Abhinavagupta or D.G. White. If you want to learn about sexual practices, read M. Chia or the Bihar School books on mulabandha. If you wish merely to wax mystical about your desire to return to Original Matriarchy, read this book--you'll feel real good. A note about me: practicing yoga, understanding historical Tantra, worshipping the goddess, returning to a more receptive Yin state of being--all this fits in well with my own evolving belief system. Just don't expect to find much of substance here.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Excellence: Liberation in your Bed..., August 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Tantra: The Cult of the Feminine (Hardcover)

No wonder MUKTANANDA's "Play of Consciousness" is in the bibliography! Van Lysebeth reveals to Westerners practising Yoga how to see the manifestation of divine and human love (the sexual ritual) in the most sacred, uplifting and transforming way! Reading this book will represent a HUGE PARADIGM SHIFT for you! Truly, this book is as much about spiritual transformation as much as sexual transformation. IT IS FULLY A SPIRITUAL BOOK (while being very concrete!). Van Lysebeth is one of the most renowned and respected Yoga and Pranayama teachers in the world, he here reveals secrets (practical secrets!) that have NEVER been revealed to such a wide audience. It took him 20 years of a long quest around all of India to find the Masters who would teach him the esoteric practice of sexual ritual as a means to liberation!!! You will see that doing "pranam" to your shakti or your shiva before and after love will become the most natural thing to you... Actually love will become one long (VERY LONG...) "pranam". You will learn the HISTORY, the basic PHILOSOPHY and very PRACTICAL details on how to become a Love Godess or Love God. Love will last for hours, it will rejuvenate you instead of tiring you, it will become MEDITATION (in action!). Read it, read it, read it!!! Viewing "sex" as the most sacred ritual in your life will make your life VERY different, no doubt about it. Especially: this book will transform the way you see "the world" and it will bring it into your "spiritual life". Women and Men will find this book very handy, not only because it goes into the specifics of the philosophy, but also because it will tell you how to practice beforehand to become a Godess/God Lover, it will describe positions of "maithuna" the sexual ritual... You will understand that "maithuna" is so sacred (like a PUJA of worhsip!!!) that you will not be suprised to learn that traditionally your Guru is present during the ritual!!! Liberation in bed!!!! Nothing else you will need, friend!