The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra

Rob Preece a versatile, Jungian psychotherapist, Psychologist and Buddhist scholar has done a marvelous work. His scholarship is evident in his knowledge of both East and West. Content wise book is very methodical, consisting of twenty chapters divided in four parts, in sequential and logical manner. These four parts are: i) the Ground, ii) the Vessel, iii) the Process and iv) the Fruit. The book is lovely in its appearance, getup and enriched with 16 illustrations. There are sections containing Glossary, Notes and Bibliography, which is very precise and a handy guide for any common reader, student and scholar in this field.

Section I, ‘The Ground' containing five chapters is an interesting reading and for any beginner and gives a very warm welcome in the world of Buddhism and Tantra. There are very powerful diagrams of Manjushri (Buddha of Wisdom and to cut through confusion and ignorance), Chenrezig (loving kindness and compassion), Green Tara (female deity who provides protection and unconditional love). ‘Eastern Deity, Western Psyche?' is something which no one can skip. It is unique interpretation by the author about reality with all possible perspective. In this section he discusses not only Buddhism along with Jungian, but throw light on Hinduism, Greek Dionysus and the Celtic Kernunos. This section bring forth clear outline about the background of basics of Tantric. In order to understand other sections of this book, this section helps as a foundation stone. Reader gets absorbed in Tantra, which literally means interwoven.

The Vessel is an interesting section comprising of four chapters. The focus in this section is on the readiness of getting into Tantric practice and the role of mind/body in this journey. The debate of modern psychology about mind and body through another perspective becomes exciting to understand. It appears that same phenomenon is being interpreted in a different (Tantric) language. The role of teacher is described in lucid way and is helpful for any learner in this domain. Significance of body and its role play in Tantic path is the cornerstone of these practices, which Preece brings out very sharply. One significant dimension is that he highlights the difficulties, which any aspirant, especially Western may face in this path in contrast to an Asian. Listening to "one's body and psyche" is the prime mantra in this practice. Understanding the hidden emotional energy is an appropriate insight in the requirement of the spiritual growth. To have the insight of happenings at subtle level and their regulation in spiritual progress is the message, which a reader might gather from this. Last chapter of this section, "Becoming Conscious" is quite deeper in content, because it explores all domains of our mental levels and makes an excellent connection with our unconscious and emotional states of mind. This triggers in a preparation in and individual's mind and body for spiritual journey in this partly unknown domain of human psyche.

The longest section, Part III, the Process has seven chapters, which analyze various aspects like liberation and healing through action Tantra. There is deeper exploration of other aspects of Tantra, like the transformation of the Masculine and the Feminine, along with various aspects of wrathful Deities. Preece makes very unique comparison of conscious and unconscious states of mind between Western approach and Buddhist approaches. It is very much good to see various states of mind are from the perspective of Freud, Jung and Buddhism. In Tantric practice this is vital source of energy. This mapping of unconscious mind is good learning from these perspectives. Further at higher level reader will get clarity about cultivating non dual presence and about Mahamudra, which is indeed a deeper concept. This portion on Mahamudra and basic method is a real feast for any intellectual and truth seeking mind. Chapter 10 on ‘Liberation in Clarity' is a wonderful reading and especially the elaborate description of ‘basic Mahamudra method'. Any practitioner in these practices will learn a lot here. This chapter as a whole is one of the best chapter to read, ingest and evolve. It gives useful tips for meditation.

Mudra, the symbolic language of the body is found in many Hindu and Buddhist practitioners and which on face value appears queer to many Westerners. Chapter 11 looks into various aspects of these practices. Similarly concept of sacred space is elaborately discussed which shows the sanctity and purity which practitioners of spirituality search with devotion. Further mantra of "OM MANI PADME HUM" and its sanctity and deeper spiritual meaning is very absorbing description by the author. How to meditate and do this practically is very well illustrated. I am sure anyone who would try these techniques with proper methodology given by him would feel the beneficial effects of these practices. In the practice of highest Yoga Tantra, author gives lot of unique phenomenon happening at the time of death. Different phases of death, experience of bardo and the process of rebirth is something unique to study. One remarkable thing in which Peerce unites Eastern and Western approach is the concept of acute anxiety which any practitioner may experience in these practices and find lot of resistance in coping with that. Here application, guidance and intervention of Western approach of therapy can be useful. Integrating Western and Eastern practices in spirituality in indeed a rare combination, which author has done in a scholarly manner.

The Wrathful Deity is an interesting chapter (15) to read and understand the so called demonic spirits. Latently many beginners in these fields have false fears of such [powers, but pleasing them is possible with Tantric practices. In fact the good and the bad nature become evident by this undertaking. Author also explains the duality of these mystical entities. Concept of duality is evident in these readings. One remarkable line, which caught my attention is, "The primary cause of sufferings in this world is ego-grasping." That reminds me of a very significant opening line of Guru Dev Rabindra Nath Tagore's Gitanjali, which states, "Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail vessel Thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life." It is the perfect concept of ego and related mental problems. In the final part of this chapter, author focuses on feminine and masculine parts of psyche, which has been central theme of many scholars like Jung and Freud apart for spiritual quest. In Tibetan terminology, these are known as dakas (Masculine) and dakinis (Feminine) attributes of humans. Their counterparts in Jungian theory are the concepts of Animus and Anima. In Tantra it is very centre-stage topic. Concepts related to Shiva and Buddha is interesting revelation of the sexual energy of the two major spiritual forces. The Dakini is the Anima or female form representation of women form. Dakini has three forms, viz. outer, inner and secret. The descriptions of daka and dakini are very special chapter to read. This chapter throws light on something which is very intriguing and deep subject of investigation and quest by many all over the world. The chapter reveals many mystical aspects about the nature of feminine soul, about which even Freud was intrigued to extend of saying, "Despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, I have not been able to answer... the great question that has never been answered: what does a woman want?"

Perhaps here seems a link in Freud's gap of knowledge.

Part IV, The Fruit contains four chapters. This chapter on The Completion Stage has focus on attaining something which may be divine in nature. It is about sensuality, sexuality and about union with the cosmic forces. There are references to Chakra and Kundalini. Ultimately it is about Mahamudra. With the use of ‘tummo practices', the sexual energy can be channelized. About Tantra there are many misconceptions, perhaps all over the world about sexual practices. These dark zones of Tantra need a proper education. In fact in reality it happens in India as sometimes, there are news about some ill-conceived Tantric practices in India, resulting in death, sacrifice or unethical and exploitation in sex. This book should dispel all such misconceptions. To any reader it also educate that some of these tactical acts done under the garb of Tantra are false and need a proper moral policing. Subjects like these have not been earlier dealt in such academic fashion, which has lead to this sort of happenings bringing a blot on whole knowledge associated with Tantra. These are mystical spiritual experiences and they need a proper guidance and exposition. Books of this nature for average audience would indeed be a welcome all over the world.

Living in the Mandala, is a chapter which would give a joy to the soul of Jung as well. These mystical looking drawings appear to be very deep and seductive and decoding them is not that easy. Preece would perhaps find another link in modern psychology in the form of Gestalt Therapy, where there is an effort to create Gestalt in our unhealthy minds or structures to reach equilibrium, balance, health and harmony. To me it all looks much bigger than Gestalt or I may add that it is dynamic kind of Gestalt or ‘Gestalts in motion.' Including this chapter in the book is a great reflection on the mind of the author to include all related aspects of Tantra in one book. It is explained very nicely and comprehensively, especially for any Western or particularly German reader it will be an absorbing reading. This leaves us with one exercise that to what extent Gestalt and Mandala have any commonality or perhaps origins, across the different time, cultures and religions.

‘The Sacred Land' is all about great things which Greeks knew as Gaia and James Lovelock explained it as Gaia Hypothesis. In India most people believe that our bodies are nothing, but a peculiar and complex combination of Pancha Bhoota (Five basic elements). These are the Earth, the Water, the fire, the air, and the Space. In India like Gaia, (the Earth), respect for Earth is in the form of Dhartimata (Mother Earth). Author's own experience about living in Himalayas and Devon are a testimony of this. In fact we as humanity are at crucial juncture when the humanity is facing lot of complexities pertaining to environment. Schumacher College located at Devon is an Institute, which really addresses these issues with a vigor and responsibility. To understand that we are the part of the bigger cosmic play is a great spiritual revelation. The role of humans in living with harmony with Nature is well highlighted in this.

Creative Transformation is all about emotions and their handling. This is a vital issue in modern Psychology and any kind of mismanagement in these causes lot of mental upheaval. A positive flow of transformed emotions regulate our inner selves. If one in one's lifetime attains a flow of meditation, then perhaps most of the agonies in life will cease to exist. The transformation in human psyche is something like a mirage, but knowing the paths and their anatomy and physiology, these are all attainable in one's life time. Perhaps at the core of these searches lies a sincere and pure desire, which will unfold the paths to reality.

Spiritual journeys are marvelous and are irrespective of religion, education, culture or nationality. The journey, which perhaps some inner self of Rob Preece motivated, is an example in itself. To me it seems that his innate purity he had wished for truth and the paths unfolded for him. Like that it was an immense joy for me to write few lines for this great invaluable work.

It is like an enriching and meditative journey going through this book. Thgis work is Tantra in the true sense. It combines East with West. It bridges life and beyond with death. It is what Existential psychologists call non-being. It integrates Freud, Jung, and Frankel. It integrated life on Earth and not a mere living on this. It bridges life with death, being with non-being, man with women, soul with cosmos, small with large. In the true spirit of Tantra, this remarkable work enfolds many vital aspects of Buddhist Tantra.

This book is spiritually uplifting and an unforgettable reading journey. This book is a must reading by anyone who is interested in Buddhism, wisdom of East, mysticism and especially Tantra. Normally books by other authors are more focused on non-scientific dimensions. This book touches various facets with scientific background and psychology of modern or specifically as practiced in West. This remarkable work by Preece to me appears as the extension of spiritual quest, which C G Jung had.