Customer Reviews

The Tantric Way: Art, Science, Ritual

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
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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.

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.

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:)