Tools for Tantra [Paperback]

Harish Johari (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1988

Tantric yantras are precise geometric forms that have been used for centuries as tools for self-realization and the attainment of mystical powers. In Tools for Tantra, Tantric practitioner and scholar Harish Johari has re-created the exact colors and proportions of the primordial yantras along with step-by-step instructions for their accurate construction, coloring, and use.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This volume features a bounty of rare yogic lore."
(

East West 

)

About the Author

Harish Johari (1934-1999) was a painter, sculptor, and composer of Indian music. He authored twelve books on Eastern spirituality, including Ayurvedic Massage; Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine; Breath, Mind, and Consciousness; The Birth of the Ganga; Dhanwantari; and Chakras. He also produced several audiocassettes of mantra meditations, including Sounds of Tantra, Attunements for Day and Night, and Sounds of the Chakras.

Here is a hot link to a web site dedicated to Harish Johari's work that was set up by his students.  http://www.sanatansociety.com/artists_authors/aa_harish_johari.htm

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (November 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892810556
• ISBN-13: 978-0892810550
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good resource for students of tantra, though imperfect., December 9, 2005

By 

Kaulika - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tools for Tantra (Paperback)

There are a number of reviews here warning against this book, not for its actual content, but because of the idea of practicing Tantra. I will try to restrict this review to a critique of the actual book. I'll venture to say that I doubt this book was written with the intention of use by dabblers in Tantra without teachers. It is constructed in such a way as to offer reasonably authentic material, though without essential pieces taught by authentic teachers, which are generally the pieces that could get students into trouble, or more specifically, toward some kind of spiritual enlightenment. This is the nature of a secretive, initiatory system such as Tantra.

The primary problem with this work, in my opinion, is its transliteration. Sanskrit mantras are transliterated into Hindi pronunciation (for instance, hring instead of hrim), and genuine tantric practitioners will note that pronunciation is an important component of effective sadhana, at least at the intermediate and advanced levels.

I would recommend this book to those who are already familiar with Tantra, who wish to widen their perspective and have access to a number of useful materials, such as mantras (though, as warned above, they are not transliterated correctly, and those who do not speak and read Sanskrit may not catch this), yantras and useful (if not always correct, in its attempts to capture universality) interpretations, definitions and explications of imagery and practices. I would not recommend it for beginners, although it is useful in breaking the notion that Westerners often have, that Tantra is all about sex (which it most certainly is not!).

36 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tools for Tantra,A great book., March 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tools for Tantra (Paperback)

This book is a must for any serious student of tantra.The information contained is presented in an academic fashion without intimidating the reader.The author presents enough to make his points,complete his lesson,or just impart fact about Tantra without losing the meaning.Great stuff about prayers,yantras,cosmology,and a load more about Tantra.A fantastic book I highly recommend!

126 of 165 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warning-tread carefully on this path that seems so bright, March 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tools for Tantra (Paperback)

Buy this book, read it carefully, reflect on what you find, assimililte what you can, then move on and don't look back!

There is much about Tantra and Hinduism and it's nature that is valuable in this book. You need to know it and what this "thread" of Tantra is about.

For the web of life is created by many such threads.

Look for yourself on page 26 table 5 to understand the true nature of this Tantra: The Ten Karmas of Mantras!

Look and see for yourself what this path is about: This is a path of power, manipulation and desire.

Only the peaceful mantras of Shanti Karma do not bind you to the invisible "thread" of the dark side of Tantra.

As University graduate in Comparitive Religion and India studies, an ex-personal student of Mr. Johari in the 70s, and as a person who has lived and traveled in the Far East for the last 8 years studying Hinduism and Buddhism, take my advice and do not be led into any New Age dreams or fantasies about the real nature of this type of Tantra.

If you are attracted by the beautiful sensual art of this book and enter into the "Door" where they stand guard and beckon so seductively, know that in this house of Beauty and Music and art Philosophy and Laughter lives deep within the basement a terror of dark magic power far beyond your comprehension:

Dhumavati - She who stalks the burning ground, She who haunts the crematoriums. She who waits in dark places unkown and long forgotten to most living men to caputure unsuspecting souls.

She who is distorted and disbalanced. She who's Yantras and Mantras cause pain, suffering, death and despair. She who does not fear Shiva.

This is part of the Tantra that is contained in this book. Do not think it is myth or old wives tales. It is as real as the primal sounds and patterns that this book contains.

Tread this path as carefully as you would when walking a razor's edge. Do not think it is fantasy, it is indeed a dark reality few can fathom. If you, as a neophite tantrik, think you can cope with the dark forces unleased by the Uchchatan, Vidweshan and Maran Mantras that you may desire to invoke, you are totally deluding yourself.

Beware - amid the images that entice so gently and blissfully also live the the dark side of Tantra and power of Kali ma, Chinnamasta and Dhumavati. When you open this book and when you close it Circle yourself with the protection of the Maha mantra: Om Shanti - Sita Ram, Ram Ram, Hari Ram, Om Shanti Shanti Shanti. Read this book! And take care. Good luck my friends. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.