Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy

A linked series of three 5-unit courses

Modern Western mystery schools, modern religious movements and works on sexual practices enthusiastically use the word “Tantra” in order to capitalize on the exoticism and eroticism this term evokes. What is almost always overlooked is the diversity, culturally, linguistically and even religiously, of the traditions which can accurately be labeled as “tantric”. From its origins in the Indian sub-continent, along the Silk Road into China, Japan and other East Asian countries as well as its trek through the Himalayas into Tibet and now into the Western world, Tantrism is one of the most diverse and widespread forms of religious doctrine and practice on the planet. Nevertheless, there are certain consistencies that exist at the core of this wide array of traditions which constitutes their inclusion into the category of “Tantra”.

Classically, the three religious traditions which contain tantric movements are Hinduism, Buddhism and Daoism. This three part course explores each of these in turn all the while grappling with the question of what “Tantra” actually is. We will cover the history, development and practice of Tantra paying special interest to the aforementioned diversity as well as commonality between each tradition.

In order to both enrich and enliven the traditions studied; the instructor will provide a number of original texts detailing practice and doctrine will be supplied. These texts are currently inaccessible to anyone not knowledgeable in Sanskrit or Classical Chinese and have been translated by the instructor into English during the course of his research.