Customer Reviews

Tantra Unveiled

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When one thinks of Tantra, one's mind swings to the notion of sexual practices that are viewed by most schools of thought as taboo. However "Tantra Unveiled" reveals the truth behind the Vedic science that is shrouded in mystery. This is achieved by giving all facts about Tantra that have been hidden due to the focus on ritual sex that, in itself is grossly misunderstood and abused. Pandit Rajami Tigunait writing style is easy to read and he presents information in a clear and precise manner. This coupled with his personal accounts of the practice of Tantric teachings and his experiences with his Guru, make for a most enjoyable lesson on the Tantric science. Any person put off by the widely held image of Tantra will be pleasantly surprised.

This book is very easy to read. It is also very interesting and you'll probably read it in one breath, or rather in a day - without putting the book down.

I am delighted that this book was written. It brings to light Tantra which is very different than the kind popularized in the West.

The author shares a few stories about the powers developed by genuine tantrik masters. Not that one has go after any powers - the powers simply unfold even spontaneously in an individual who is practicing "merging" or rather "at-one-ment" with the Infinite, whatever form It may take.

Few practices are mentioned and what is mentioned is more for the purpose of giving the reader a taste of it, rather than as a means of complete practice. On the other hand, even though methods, techniques and rituals in their fullness are not disclosed and the authors states that they are transmitted directly from teacher to student - those who are familiar even with Western esoteric tradition, with cultivation of Sexual Energy from Taoist tradition, and have been practicing meditation for the purpose of experiencing Oneness with the Infinite - will find similarities.

The author appropriately mentions that nothing gets an individual so interested to explore further than having an actual experience of "power". I fully agree - but the example which is offered in this book as something that is supposed to provide the reader with the "speedy" experience of power (as a remedy for calming phobia, nightmares or disturbed sleep) takes about 120 days to complete - the first 3 steps of this method are each to be done for 40 days. While repeating Gayatri mantra thousands of times and drawing Om Namah Shivaya has many other benefits - I can think of many other ways of getting rid of phobias, nightmares or disturbed sleep in one day (including self-hypnosis and NLP) as opposite to 120 days. At least among the numerous powers listed to be obtained in the initial practices of tantra - even whether to create a change in oneself of in other, I can also think of many other ways of creating such effects in a day or a couple of days, instead of 120 days. I have been working with Om Namah Shivaya mantra for too long to be a fair judge regarding how much time it takes to become aware of its effectiveness, but come to think of it - at least as far as fears and phobias go, there are numerous people to whom I suggested to use Om Namah Shivaya mantra and all of them have experienced practically instant results.

This book, short as it is, does give enough hints to help you to actually experience some effects of using few mantras and it gives few more hints if you want to proceed along this path.

I agree with the first reviewer(who gave 2 stars), that the title is a tad aggressive, however, that is no reason for giving such a low rating for this phenomenal book. The book gives a fantastic introduction to Tantra, its various aspects and the different schools in a simple, unambigous and concise manner. This book contains unadulterated, unalloyed and authentic information on Tantra as it is practiced by the Himalayan adepts.Honestly, I found it difficult to put the book down.

The Author Pandit Rajmani Tigunait is a scholar in Sanskrit and Tantra and a student of Swami Rama, who is/was one of the Himalayan Adepts. He belongs to the lineage of the Himalayan Sages going all the way back to Sage Sanat Kumara.

When an Eastern philosophy is transmitted to the West it is usually corrupted and changed from how it was to something barely recognizable. This happens with Yoga, Buddhism, and Tantra to name a few. A ghastly interpretation of 'tantra' shows up in books talking about sex magic which become comedic like Urban Tantra: Sacred Sex for the Twenty-First Century. But in this book you have a purer transmission as to what tantra really is.

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, current head of the Himalayan Institute, certainly knows his stuff. He was a core disciple of Swami Rama. In this book you get a survey of very important tantra sites with temples in India. You also get a starter version of approaching tantra through understanding what tantra is and then by being introduced to the tantric practices of mantra, yantra, and chakra puja. So if you are curious about tantra then there are few better places to start. Of course you should keep in mind David Frawley and works such as Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses.

My primary concerns with this book and it's conveyance is in the subtitle 'Seducing The Forces Of Matter and Spirit.' While tantra claims to be a path to overcome duality there are quite a few aspects of tantra as presented in this book that do fall back into that old dualistic paradigm. If you are a realized a-dualist/non-dualist, then what 'other' exists that you feel you have to seduce? And what powers do you think you can gain, or need to gain, that you could seduce the divinity? So for that aspect the book does veer off into the power seeking abilities and does not adequately structure or throttle that urge with higher wisdom that the book could have conveyed.

Finally, do your homework. There is more information on the Internet that you really should read if this lineage appeals to you.

Here it is, the definitive account of Tantra. Assume Yoga, Gita, Veda, Acharya, Ramayana, Pranayama and Vedanta. Now contemplate the subtitle, "Seducing the Forces of Nature." What could be greater than seducing Mahakali, the Great Goddess herself, into giving us everything our teensy little hearts desire? Yet one must be wary of who is seducing whom. "Wallowing in ignorance time and again, the fools imagine, 'We have reached our aim!' Because of their passion, they do not understand, these people who are given to rites. Therefore, they fall, wretched and forlorn, when their heavenly stay comes to a close [Mundaka Upanishad 1.2.9]." On a practical level, there are photos of how to hold one's hands in mudra (again, assume the basics of adoration and supplication). There is also a 60-day ritual for curing insomnia, that is bound to put anyone to sleep. More secret knowledge is available from bona-fide lineage-holders. Just remember: it's not *nice* to fool Mother Nature....