The Tantric Way: Art, Science, Ritual [Paperback]

Ajit Mookerjee (Author), Madhu, PH.D. Khanna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2003

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ajit Mookerjee spent many years studying and living according to tantric principles, and his deep knowledge of the West, where he lived, enabled him to provide in The Tantric Way a practical and effective guide to tantra's methods and attitudes. His other books include Kundalini, Ritual Art of India, and Kali. Madhu Khanna is a scholar of Eastern and Western philosophies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500270880
• ISBN-13: 978-0500270882
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 23 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tantric Way is scholarly, artistic, and penetrating, May 17, 2000

By 

Craig Stern (Flagstaff, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tantric Way: Art, Science, Ritual (Paperback)

The book is a rich combination of Makoorjee's scholarly style and an excellent collection of Tantric art, both geometric/diagramatic and visual, including the ever-popular Tibetan yab-yum pairs. I came upon the original edition as an undergraduate in the 1970s and was impressed then by the elaborate and in-depth scientific and metaphysical explanations of a complex and elusive topic -- tantra -- or the science and practice of first "seeing," then experiencing the essence behind form, not intellectually but with the perceptive faculties of one's inner being. His narration is interwoven with the illustrations to give the reader a clear sense of both the culture from which this body of knowledge arises and the subtle dynamics of tantric knowledge as revealed through art, ritual, and practice. Not a practitioner's guide, but an excellent introduction to tantric history, theory, metaphysics, and cultural expression.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In depth view for westeners, September 17, 2007

By 

Anonymous (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tantric Way: Art, Science, Ritual (Paperback)

I can't believe that there is only 1 review of this book! This is a seminal review of the tantric path written by two scholarly initiates. This book cover the art, spirituality, and practical rituals of both dualistic and non-dualistic paths. This book goes way beyond most "fluffy" books that you see in the marketplace.

Don't forget to read the introduction. Mr. Mookerjee writes one of the best articles on the history and importance of the tantric traditions.

This book is a needed addition to the library of any serious student.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sri Yantra, or The Happiest Person In The World, February 16, 2010

By 

Basil Lenkov "sriyantramaster" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Tantric Way: Art, Science, Ritual (Paperback)

There are 148 illustrations, 18 in colour, 80 line drawings, 200 pages of text written by two outstanding authors, one of them is a scholar. Beautiful edition in white paper, nice fonts and very detailed and scrupulous explanation how tantra could be seen in two heads if they are both direct its strength to explain features of tantra to curious readers. The book really costs to be bought and read.

Black-and-white Sri Yantra drawings' photos are represented in the first part 'Art' on the pages 57 and 65. The first drawing has its lines of different width and its composition looks a bit strange. The second drawing has four (!) triangles with apices don't touching bases of other triangle (they must!!). Both drawings are out of mathematical value at all. I am just afraid of asking do anybody have seen MORE DIFFICULT STAR POLYGONS? The real news is all stars have the same root algorithm Sri Yantra has.

It has (God bless this world!!!) happened long time ago I had become interested only in one aspect of geometrical art of tantra: its mathematical challenge to brain. No matter that the entire Indian nation (and joined Americans) doesn't pay much attention to this geometry miracle and doesn't have any serious movement to this huge experience, I was curious enough to do what I had to do and be happy with what I have to be happy with:)