The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra [Paperback]

This book masterfully clarifies the nature of tantric practice. In contrast to the approaches of conventional religion, tantra does not attempt to soothe the turmoil of existence with consoling promises of heaven and salvation. The tantric practitioner chooses to confront the bewildering and chaotic forces of fear, aggression, desire, and pride, and to work with them in such a way that they are channeled into creative expression, loving relationships, and wisely engaged forms of life. In order to make the processes of tantra psychologically intelligible for a contemporary reader, Rob Preece makes judicious use of the work of modern psychotherapy, forging a compelling link between a Western tradition that hearkens back to the alchemical traditions of our own past and the comparably alchemical strategies of Tibetan Buddhist tantric practices. In keeping with the pragmatic and therapeutic aims of both psychotherapy and Buddhist meditation,The Psychology of Buddhist Tantranever loses sight of the central importance of applying these ideas to the concrete realities of day-to-day life. By illuminating the richly symbolic language of tantra through the intermediate language of psychology,The Psychology of Buddhist Tantrapoints to the transformative nature of tantric practices. British psychologist and longtime Tibetan Buddhist practitioner Rob Preece has given us one of the most illuminating unpackings of Tibetan tantra yet to emerge in the English language. —Mark Epstein, author ofThoughts Without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective

The Psychology of Buddhist Tantrasucceeds in clarifying the nature of tantric practice. He does not seek to explain away the undeniably evocative and darkly potent language and imagery of tantra but to recognize them as transformative symbols of the rich complexity of our own inner lives. —Stephen Batchelor, author ofBuddhism without Beliefs

The ancient therapeuticl£)