The preliminary practices of Tantra aren't a hurdle to be gotten through in order to get somewhere else; they're an extraordinarily rich collection of practices which have much to offer as a means of cultivating and maturing the practitioner's psychological ground. They can enable experiences to unfold, and they can clear the way when there seem to be problems or hindrances practitioners are struggling with. In Preparing for Tantra, Preece draws on his experience as a Tantric Buddhist practitioner, meditation teacher, and psychotherapist to explain how to make the preliminary practices psychologically meaningful and spiritually transformative. He examines each of the practices with an eye to revealing how they may be used to heal and transform psychological trauma and offers practical suggestions for integrating them into daily life—as well as ensuring that practitioners are prepared psychologically, emotionally, and energetically to start out safely on the tantric path. Preparing for Tantra is an accessible guidebook for engaging in ngondro, the preliminary practices that are done before engaging in a long tantric retreat. These practices are also powerful tools for purifying negativities and alleviating guilt, healing difficult experiences, and enriching our minds with goodness so that we will be able to progress in our Dharma practice and gain realizations of the path.

As David White explains in the Introduction to Tantra in Practice, Tantra is an Asian body of beliefs and practices that seeks to channel the divine energy that grounds the universe, in creative and liberating ways. The subsequent chapters reflect the wide geographical and temporal scope of Tantra by examining thirty-six texts from China, India, Japan, Nepal, and Tibet, ranging from the seventh century to the present day, and representing the full range of Tantric experience--Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, and even Islamic. Each text has been chosen and translated, often for the first time, by an international expert in the field who also provides detailed background material. Students of Asian religions and general readers alike will find the book rich and informative. The book includes plays, transcribed interviews, poetry, parodies, inscriptions, instructional texts, scriptures, philosophical conjectures, dreams, and astronomical speculations, each text illustrating one of the diverse traditions and practices of Tantra. Thus, the nineteenth-century Indian Buddhist Garland of Gems, a series of songs, warns against the illusion of appearance by referring to bees, yogurt, and the fire of Malaya Mountain; while fourteenth-century Chinese Buddhist manuscripts detail how to prosper through the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper by burning incense, making offerings to scriptures, and chanting incantations. In a transcribed conversation, a modern Hindu priest in Bengal candidly explains how he serves the black Goddess Kali and feeds temple skulls lentils, wine, or rice; a seventeenth-century Nepalese Hindu praise-poem hammered into the golden doors to the temple of the Goddess Taleju lists a king's faults and begs her forgiveness and grace. An introduction accompanies each text, identifying its period and genre, discussing the history and influence of the work, and identifying points of particular interest or difficulty. The first book to bring together texts from the entire range of Tantric phenomena, Tantra in Practice continues the Princeton Readings in Religions series. The breadth of work included, geographic areas spanned, and expert scholarship highlighting each piece serve to expand our understanding of what it means to practice Tantra.

The Traditional Tibetan medical system is composed of a vast indigenous healing knowledge and practices offering a holistic treatment aimed at regulating and maintaining the balance of the functional principles of the mind and body. These principles are related to the characteristics of the cosmic elemental energies and as such any disturbances in the environment directly or indirectly affect the health of a person. The long history it enjoys, the sound foundations on which it is established and the increasing popularity it has earned are clear indications that Tibetan Medicine is relevant and important in the modern world. These valuable medical treasures are found in the highly esteemed “Gyueshhi”(Four Tantras), a complete and profound multi-faceted fundamental text of Tibetan Medicine, encompassing the unabridged theories and practices of Tibetan Medicine. It is the creation of ancient eminent scholars of Tibet by means of practice, invention and development through their intellectual wisdom. Based on the practical experience of the ancient medical knowledge of Tibetans that relates to their unique culture, its custom and environment, the legendary Yuthok Yonten Gonpo, father of Tibetan Medicine, composed Gyueshhi by incorporating the essence of the then known Asian medical systems including Ayurveda, Chinese and Greek medicine; making it one of the oldest, most comprehensive and reliable medical systems in the world. Tibetan Medicine is one of the oldest surviving medical systems with an enormous herbal pharmacopoeia, complex and systematic manufacturing processes and a complete system of diagnosis and treatment. The most essential principles of Tibetan Medicine are harmony and balance, establishing it with an inspiring relevance to the health problems of the modern world and in the prevention of various psycho-physical disorders. The teaching and practice of Tibetan Medicine is mainly concentrated in Tibet, however, the entire belt of the Himalayan region, India, Mongolia, Kalmykia, Buryatia and a few countries in the West also shared the practices of Tibetan Medicine.

Koichi Shinohara traces the evolution of Esoteric Buddhist rituals from the simple recitation of spells in the fifth century to complex systems involving image worship, mandala initiation, and visualization practices in the ninth century. He presents an important new reading of a seventh-century Chinese text called the Collected Dharani Sutras, which shows how earlier rituals for specific deities were synthesized into a general Esoteric initiation ceremony and how, for the first time, the notion of an Esoteric Buddhist pantheon emerged. In the Collected Dharani Sutras, rituals for specific deities were typically performed around images of the deities, yet Esoteric Buddhist rituals in earlier sources involved the recitation of spells rather than the use of images. The first part of this study explores how such simpler rituals came to be associated with the images of specific deities and ultimately gave rise to the general Esoteric initiation ceremony described in the crucial example of the All-Gathering mandala ritual in the Collected Dharani Sutras. The visualization practices so important to later Esoteric Buddhist rituals were absent from this ceremony, and their introduction would fundamentally change Esoteric Buddhist practice. This study examines the translations of dharani sutras made by Bodhiruci in the early eighth century and later Esoteric texts, such as Yixing's commentary on the Mahavairocana sutra and Amoghavajra's ritual manuals, to show how incorporation of visualization greatly enriched Esoteric rituals and helped develop elaborate iconographies for the deities. Over time, the ritual function of images became less certain, and the emphasis shifted toward visualization. This study clarifies the complex relationship between images and ritual, changing how we perceive Esoteric Buddhist art as well as ritual.

Achieve Cosmic Consciousness through Sexual Ecstasy This hardcover edition of an influential classic provides sexual techniques and positions for ritual intercourse that will flood you with physical ecstasy and activate expanded states of consciousness. These Tantric practices not only teach you how to build sexual love and passion to an amazing peak, but also how to push your mind even higher to reach transcendental bliss. With more than forty years of experience, Dr. Jonn Mumford helps you bring holiness and magick into your sexual relationship. This book skillfully interweaves theory and practice so you can understand why you are doing each exercise as you learn potent techniques. Discover the God/Goddess as incarnate in your beloved and experience the same divinity within yourself through physical and spiritual union. Learn how to engage in the Asanas of Love and use a powerful technique known as the Rite of Naked Fire. Featuring a new introduction and a wealth of illustrations and photographs, this book reveals the secrets of erotic mysticism.

"A captivating novel that takes readers on a transformative journey of self-discovery, sensuality, and the profound secrets of tantra." -- 5-Star Review Imagine yourself on an Eat, Pray, Love - type journey to learn and explore the secrets of love and life, full of romance and excitement. Multiple-award winning author Catherine Auman weaves a captivating story that gently teaches you while it delights your senses and your sense of adventure. When Leela suddenly finds herself mid-life without a career, a boyfriend, or a clue, she travels to India and begins studying under the elegant and charismatic Mevlana, a female tantra master, under whose guidance Leela learns the secrets of love, sex, attraction, and intimacy. Find out: * Will Laurel find lasting love? * Or will she give up the search and join the tantra community? * Is she too old to find love? "I knew nothing about Tantra, nor had I ever been to India, so I was intrigued to read this book. It did not disappoint and took me on a journey into spiritual enlightenment, sexual awareness and self-discovery, all against a backdrop of India. Excellent read." - 5-Star Review Buy Now and take the first step on your journey to finding tantric secrets about love and life. Scroll to the top of the page and hit the Buy button.

In the present era, plant derived products are gaining importance as medicinal products, nutraceuticals and cosmetics. Herbal medicines are widely used in healthcare in both developed and developing countries. Ayurveda, ‘the science of life’ utilizes different forms of herbs in therapeutics and is largely depends upon the medicinal plants for the therapy. The use of herbal medicines has increased remarkably in line with the global trend of people returning to natural therapies. Kshar is one among such forms. Acharya Sushruta known as ‘father of Surgery’ has described various surgical process along with parasurgical measures in Sushruta Samhita, which is the oldest available text in surgical practice, enriched with detailed basic surgical techniques and parasurgical measures. Raktamokshan, Kshar karma, Agni karma is amongest of these parasurgical procedures.These procedures have been given special place in surgery by Acharya Sushruta and it is belived that the disease that cannot be cured by any medicine or in subjects where surgery is not possible these processes are very much effective. Kshar karma is a topic of shalya pradhan text but due to its medicinal and therapeutic use, it is mentioned in all eight branches of Ayurveda in the treatment of various diseases. Among different branches of Ayurveda, Shalya Tantra along with Shalakya Tantra are shalya pradhan texts which come under Dhanwantari sampradaya. Shalya Tantra is one of the most important branches of Ayurveda which has its own originality with authenticity, contributing to modern medical technology of today, whereas Shalakya Tantra deals with the diseases manifesting above the clavicular region and explains the ophthalmology, ENT and dentistry in a very systemic manner. It mainly deals with diseases of the sense organs (gyanendriyas). Ayurveda encompasses use of various parasurgical/surgical procedures in shalya as well in shalakya tantra for the management of various rogas. Use of different para-surgical procedures has been mentioned in context of so many diseases in Shalyatantra like Arsha, Arbuda, Bhangandra, Vatarakta, Gridhasi etc. Similarly Sushruta has also mentioned these surgical procedures in Shalakya Tantra Netra roga chikitsa like Pakshmakopa, Puyalasa, Abhisyanda and Adhimannta etc. in karn-nasa-mukh rogas like nasa arsha, karn arsha, three types of rohini, etc. Ayurveda has been a science of healing since ages. It follows a non-invasive approach as a treatment protocol until and unless otherwise is the only option. Kshar Karma is considered one of the best among all surgical or parasurgical modalities due to properties favouring early healing. It has proved its efficacy in order to reduce the agony and pain of the sufferer and avoid invasive surgeries without compromising with the effects. Many researches and books have depicted the efficacy of Kshar karma in both literary and scientific way in the field of Shalya Tantra. But still there is lot more to dig up from the treasures of Ayurveda. On contrary, it is not widely practised and popularised in Shalakya diseases. So there is need to compile all the material relevant to topic to utilize Kshar karma and give optimum result. With the aim to provide complete knowledge of Kshar karma in various Ayurvedic texts as well as its clinical aspect in various diseases related to Shalya and Shalakya tantra, we have gathered all the materials regarding Kshar karma from various samhitas, tikas, modern books, journals, research papers and books published by authors on the relevant topic. An effort has been made to compile and present the utilization of Kshar in the pharmceutico-therapeutics of Ayurveda from the historical perspective, by referring important texts of Ayurveda in all aspects of its preparation, types, qualities, indications and uses. We have laid emphasis to put all material relevant to topic in concise form. Hope, this book will be helpful to all UG and PG students in the clinical practice of Shalya and Shalakya Department. Dr. Arjun Gupta Dr. Sheweta Kotwal

Integrating sexuality with spirituality has been the specialty of traditional Hindu Tantra for at least 1500 years. The short readings in this book adapt the concepts and methods of the ancient tantric tradition for LGBT persons of all genders living in our modern, rapidly changing world. Gay and gender-non-conforming persons have been condemned or ignored by all major religions, and many LGBT persons may reject religion in general, sometimes substituting sex, drugs, or other diversions. Substitutes for true spirituality ultimately fail to remedy the existential conditions of mortality, isolation, and meaningless- ness as only a deep spiritual practice can. These readings demonstrate various ways LGBT people can tap into the deepest currents of human spirituality while recognizing the special spiritual needs and aptitudes that come with an LGBT identity. Gay Tantra teaches us to attain the heights of spiritual enlightenment utilizing fully our LGBT experiences and ways of being in the world.

This book gives panaromic view of Surgery in Ayurvedic Science which is about three thousand years old. Many tables, photos, sketches are included. Contributing authors are 25 and chapters 39.