Dr. Jonn Mumford takes the complex topic of tantra and attempts to translate it from its Eastern roots for the Western mind. He is somewhat successful, but gets bogged down in the history of tantra coming to the west as well as the etymology of tantric terms.
“The Tantrist seeks freedom (Moksha) through life (sensation, sentient, sensual) and not through escape (abstinence, abstaining, absence), using the body as an instrument of evolution.” pg 47
I think when Westerners consider tantra, they generally think about exotic sexual positions. This book tries to show that tantra is so much more than that.
Through the recognition of the divine in your partner, tantra can be a method of reaching divine states of being. I think it is more of a mindset than any particular exercise.
“The key secret of the Western tradition lies in the demonstration that the sexual function has deeper implications than procreation.” pg 30
Dr. Mumford provides a few rituals in this book so that readers can choose to practice some of his interpretations of tantra if they choose. He also includes illustrations of various chakras in order to encourage meditation upon the complex symbolism they contain. Through these practices, he says, one can begin to investigate the mystery that is tantra and the self.
“Although the major topic of this book has been sex magic and Tantric sexual practices, it must not be assumed that the whole of Tantra is concerned with these aspects. Tantra is the life science concerned with producing true individuals.” pg 122
I’m dubious about the efficacy of some of the exercises described in this book, like the practice of sucking ones bodily fluids back into oneself after expulsion. Maybe some of these things were meant to be metaphorical rather than literal? Who’s to say…
If you don’t allow yourself to be caught up in the strange (at least to my mind) details, there is some wisdom to be found in these pages. But the biggest problem of this book is that it tries to tackle too much.
It begins to do a comparison of witchcraft to tantra, which I feel could fill an entire book on its own. It also touches on similarities between tantra and western sex magic. Neither of these topics receive a thorough treatment, which was rather disappointing.
He also does a brief history of tantra coming to the west which I felt was over-simplified. History buffs might find that section off-putting.
However, if you’re looking for a brief introduction to tantra written for a Western audience, this might be a good place to start.
- The Book of Hedge Druidry: A Complete Guide for the Solitary Seeker by Joanna van der Hoeven
- Maestros by Steve Skroce (Writer/Illustrator), Dave Stewart (Colorist), Fonografiks (Letterer)
- Trance-Portation Learning to Navigate the Inner World by Diana L. Paxson
- Ecstasy Through Tantra by Jonn Mumford
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) by Sarah J. Maas
The Help Desk Book Blog 