The Yoga of Power: Tantra, Shakti, and the Secret Way (Paperback)

by Julius Evola (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
This richly layered and exacting work will challenge and fascinate. -- MG, Napra Trade Journal

To read his descriptions of the higher spiritual states is like watching a champion mountain-climber on a vertical glacier. -- Gnosis Magazine

Review
"Soon Evola will be an immovable object in the field of serious esotericism in the English-speaking world, as he already is for readers of Italian, French, and German.

The Yoga of Power puts to shame those modern writers who have degraded Tantra to a subject for New Age sex manuals.

To read his descriptions of the higher spiritual states is like watching a champion mountain-climber on a vertical glacier."
(

Gnosis Magazine

)

"This richly layered and exacting work will challenge and fascinate."
(

MG, Napra Trade Journal

)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (September 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892813687
• ISBN-13: 978-0892813681
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #87,956 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evola Rocks the Modern World, June 12, 2000

By	Mark Stavish, The Institute for Hermetic Stud... (Wyoming, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Julius Evola is an elitist. Having experienced both the First and Second World Wars, Evola firmly believed that we are in the Hindu Age of Darkness or the Kali Yuga, and that enlightenment would only come to those who sought it out and achieved it through power of their will. Writing from the perspective of an experienced occultist, Evola warns the reader of potential problems of undertaking Eastern systems, Hatha Yoga in particular, without a fuller knowledge of their purpose and potential. Evola writes serious books about serious subjects, yet manages to present the material in a manner that is both meaningful and practical. Evola is not for everybody, and those more attuned to New Age fluff had better leave him alone. However, occultists who want to understand a man who was a major force in Italian esotericism, and who to this day is having more of an impact after this death than when he was alive as a result of translations and symposiums, will find a wealth of knowledge and esoteric insight.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What tantra is really about, February 14, 2005

By	Taylor Ellwood "http://www.imagineyourreality... - See all my reviews

When most people, in the West, think of Tantra, they think of sex magic. And usually that's all they think of. However the Western perception of Tantra as just sex magic is quite incorrect, as Mr. Evola shows us in this book on what Tantra really is. In this book you actually learn what the spiritual practices are behind Tantra.

For instance, you will learn about the various spirits that are worked with in Tantra as well the ideal goal of Tantra, which is not to succumb to passion, but to master it. Sex magic is just a part of that and is used to liberate the individual from the passion for sex, so that it becomes just another act to do. The elemental workings described in this book are particularly fascinating and useful for anyone who likes doing elemental workings. Evola does a good job of explaining how this system of magic works. He takes an in-depth look at the Tattvas, as well as the role of colors in the making of tattvas, and explains how the tattvas are used.

However, this book isn't necessarily for everyone. Evola's writing is complex. You will certainly find yourself rereading passages, as I did, just to be sure you understood what he was explaining. Nonetheless, such a book is wonderful for how it challenges you. The ideas you can take away from this book to your own practice are well worth the work you may have to, when reading this book. At the least you'll learn that Tantra is about more than just sex magic.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, April 18, 2003

By A Customer

This book articulates a solid understanding of tantric yogas
and incorporates several forms of tantra into a comprehensive
study.
Evola talks at great length about the notion of the shiva/shakti
duality as well as various sadhanas (practices) such as kundalini, ... magic, and chakra work. Keeping in mind that ... magic is a key and valid point in this context Evola treats such ideas with informed maturity and a solid knowledge of how it is correctly performed.
This book is at times difficult to read but only because of the complexity of the issues discussed (the chapters concerning the Tattvas and human condition are the most profound and thus complex).
All in all a great tantra source.