Customer Reviews

Tantra Without Tears

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

 

 

As someone who has been practicing Buddhist Tantra for some time, I found this to be a good book for the basic information and techniques. However, I found the tone and the practices to be a little on the dark side. I would question doing some of these techniques (as is) knowning that they will have such a profound effect on my very being and on the way that I viewed the world. Tantra is one of the most powerful reality opening experiences that can be had legal or otherwise and I would just keep an eye on the what results will be.

Not what you expect if your knowledge of Tantra is what you've heard in New Age circles. This book deals with exploring the dark cupboards of your body/mind. On it's own it does not give enough information for the novice (that's why only 4 stars)and could in fact be dangerous. However that said....Read it, think about it..use it as a starting point for your exploration.

I really enjoyed this one! It has more relevant practical info than 'Secrets of Western Tantra', (It was more relevant to me anyway, less 'rules' than SoWT). If you've not read any Hyatt books before, there are no fiaries or cosmic love here, but where many occult writers present rules and traditions Hyatt shows techniques and experiences.

Hyatt and Black do not describe, or tell what Tantra "is". For it is not anything you could touch or see as external from ourselves. According to the authors, who display their own experiences during their practices begin to teach you, not what it is, but rather the lifestyle one lives. Like all the mystical arts, it has less to do with dogma than ritual. The doing is more important than the rules. So, when one attempts Tantra, its a breaking of old patterns and realities and forming new ones. As the author says, if it scares you, then good! It will move you out of the familiar and the old and into the new and unknown. So if you think you know what Tantra is, then think again.

Thank Goddess for Christopher Hyatt. This book transcends the cultural barriers that prohibit most of us from being able to appreciate Tantra for what it is. It most certainly is NOT the stuff adverised in the back of your local new age periodicals. This book confronts,exposes and celebrates what we are normally conditioned to be ashamed of, via religion and fascism. If you want to get your mindbody back and you are sick of American sentimental baby land; where all the products we consume are substitute nipples and gentitals...Read this book, along w/ The Psychopaths Bible, Secrets of Western Tantra and Undoing Yourself. READ em over and over and practice, practice practice. may you die befor you die! This is REAL LITERATURE. Makes all the other teachers out there look like Baby Huey!

As someone who has been practicing Buddhist Tantra for some time, I found this to be a good book for the basic information and techniques. However, I found the tone and the practices to be a little on the dark side. I would question doing some of these techniques (as is) knowning that they will have such a profound effect on my very being and on the way that I viewed the world. Tantra is one of the most powerful reality opening experiences that can be had legal or otherwise and I would just keep an eye on the what results will be.

A very interesting book.It will be completely misunderstood by most. For Tantra is not just a collection of practices but a way of living and thinking which is against everything we are taught to find normal.And when certain boundaries cease to exist,something very very dark and frightening appears.This book does not concern itself with the usual sugary ideas prevailing about what tantra is.Tantra demands things that would drive most people mad.This book is not dark neither satanic,it is only accurate.My only question is how do Dr Hyatt and Mr Black manage to survive after exposing themselves with such dangerous ideas.

This book is arranged in a Q&A mode.Though the questions seem interesting,I was not at all satisfied with the answers provided.
Then again,I am somehow informed on the subject.If you are not a true beginner in Tantra,dont buy the book.You may find it somehow elementary and simple.However,if you are just starting and want some first information on the subject,I would say it is an excellent introduction to Tantra,though quite brief.Enjoy !

If ideas like: eating your lunch in a morgue,or visualising making love to yourself as you wear clothes of the opposite sex seem 'on the edge' to you...then this book is for you
otherwise
save your money or buy a better book on tantra, which would be almost any other book (John Mumford, or Kalachakra Tantra for beginning suggestions)

If you are looking for a book on Tantra proper, this is not the right book for you. The questions posed are seldom answered in a thorough fashion and there is a negative/catty tone which prevails through the entire book which is rather tiresome.
The claim posed by the authors that this is "the only book on Tantra you will ever need" is downright ignorant as topics specific to Tantra are only explored in very vague terms. A thorough explanation is sacrificed for the sake of an account of the personal spiritual path pursued by authors.
There is a general occult bad-boy-ism employed here that will appear adolescent unless you find yourself profoundly fettered by Judeo-Christian conditioning.