Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History, and Practice of a Timeless Tradition Kindle Edition

I especially liked the beginning and the middle of the book. Good job. I have concerns toward the latter parts. Here are some initial comments:1. I don't think Wallis really understands postmodernism. Post modernism provides a basis for an "experience-view" of What This Is. Wallis exposes a more classical academic viewpoint that does not embrace radical levels of ambiguity.2. It is not clear to me what audience Wallis is writing to sometimes. I would venture to say that readers who don't know much aren't going to get very much help here in this. Other readers will often respond with: "yup." (That said, there were many historical or background data that were very informative and clarifying for me. Three cheers.)3. Too often in the last part of the book, Wallis seems to present arguments, rather than description or explanation. I wish he hadn't. For example, he presents Gupta Abinava's declarations that ritual is necessary without being clear (IMO) why it's necessary.4. I get that ritual is powerful, both Eastern and Western. No doubt. Berger and Luckmann ("The Social Construction of Reality," 1967) ended-up arguing that forms of social construction are most powerful in more primitive cultures where autonomy and perceived individuality is not high. Moderns could use a religion or an approach to seeing What This Is that speaks to today's contemporary mind and consciousness. (I don't know what the answer is for this, but I've seen this issue in Zen, in Tibetan Buddhism, and Saivism.)These might be minor complaints. It depends upon the reader, I suppose. What I liked in the book, I liked a lot.Be well.

Tantra Illuminated is a relevant and beautiful work of the heart and should be a companion resource for any student of yoga, Tantra, Sanskrit, Indian philosophy, or history. This book is for those interested in learning more about the topic (you can stay close to the surface or go deep), as well as for scholars who are well versed in Shaiva Tantra—there is an incredible amount of knowledge and wisdom within!I purchased both the audio and print versions, and suggest listening to the recording first, letting it wash over you so you can enjoy the resonance of Christopher’s voice as he reads, chants (divine!), and pronounces Sanskrit words and phrases with utter perfection, then delving deeper into study and contemplation in the print format. This is a book you can visit and revisit as it calls to you.

I have read many Tantra philosophy and history books. I appreciate the research that the authors do. However, I actually want to learn practices not just feel like only the lucky can learn. "Practice" is in the title of the book. I get that most should be kept secret under guidance but how about a sneak peek with a few exercises? Can we really know how Tantra was 5000 years ago before they had started writing them down or that word of mouth has not changed practices? I would give better stars if the book measured up to the title. How about Tantra for women?Note: I bought this book after a high referral from a YouTube channel who offers paid Tantra training. It makes sense she would suggest a philosophy only book because they will have to come back to her to buy actual exercises.

I am a Tantra Yoga teacher, and whenever someone asks me "So what is Tantra, anyway?" and is genuinely curious to know the answer, I recommend he or she read this book (or listen to the audiobook). It is a masterfully interwoven overview of the history and practices of various traditional Tantrik lineages, complete with techniques which might be beneficial for the modern reader/practitioner. Both informative in an academic sense and relevant for a non-scholastic audience, Christopher Wallis has created a masterpiece for modern Tantrik practitioners to educate and inform themselves of the deep and rich tradition of Shaiva (Śaiva) Tantra, and all the changes it has undergone over time.I consider it a must-read for anyone considering themselves a Tantrik or Tāntrika, especially in these modern times where Tantra is widely misunderstood, and "New Age" and "Neo-Tantra" movements have influenced (and muddled) our current understanding of this ancient philosophy and spiritual path to self-realization. When I read it, I thought, "Oh great, someone already wrote the book I would have devoted my life to compose!" It has inspired me to study the Sanskrit language academically to deepen my understanding of Tantra Yoga. And I am so happy to start his second book, "The Recognition Sutras"!I recommend for readers who are not accustomed to scholarly works (or those who are reading this as their introduction to Tantra) to listen to the audiobook and just let it wash over you without getting hung up on the Sanskrit words or philosophical concepts. It seems there is something for everyone in this book, so I imagine any reader or listener will find some aspect inspiring or rewarding for their insight meditation or personal practice.

This is the most important, accessible book on Tantrik Shaivism that I have read as of now, as well as Wallis’s other book, The Recognition Sūtras.This topic is difficult and deep and Wallis is the best at offering an inroad for those who are not scholars, but seek legitimate information rooted in scholarly soils to deepen their knowledge-base to inform their practice.This is an exciting time for Tantrik Shaivism and Christopher is one of few (well, two as far as I’ve discovered) people who are scholar-practitioners granting us a thorough, applicable and authentic window into this beautiful, ancient, but invaluable system of spiritual philosophy and practice.

A truly comprehensive and properly researched book that will serve the newcomer as well as more seasoned students of yoga, Indian philosophy and Tantra.This book corrects common misunderstandings, clarifies the historical time lines of Tantra and helps join the dots between early medieval Asian/Indian philosophy, Haṭha yoga and the yoga that you’ll find in a contemporary yoga studio (Modern Postural Yoga).A must have book and light years ahead of so many of the other choices available on Amazon many of which are not descriptions of traditional tantrika practices but regurgitated interpretations of new age philosophy super imposed onto loosely/nominally tantrik paradigms.You’ll learn reliable information from a scholar/practitioner who is at the cutting edge of his field.

There is something for everyone here, no matter what your starting point. Each page is rich with insights into the Tantra and made ultra-accessible through the writing as well as the format, where Sanskrit definitions, points of clarification and links to other relevant sections are helpfully located to the side of the main body of the text. Crucially though, nothing is lost through this accessibility as the author strikes that rare balance of pitching the content in layers that the reader can shift between depending on their prior knowledge. The technical language and use of the proper Sanskrit terms are expertly woven into the text to allow the reader to learn and study the vocabulary or simply read and absorb the content as it flows from the page.If you’re looking to learn about the history of the Tantrik tradition, the profound meaning of the texts (which have been translated *by the author*) and it’s timeless appeal as a way to realising what you already are... buy this book.

This is an incredibly well paced and laid out book. I absolutely loved reading it, even though it took me a while as there is so much to take in. I really love the way it has quotes and links to other sections in the side margins so you can easily reference back to other parts of the book. it is beautiful and a must read for anyone interested in Tantra. The illustrations are fantastic too.

This book is the only one Ive found which covers actual tantra- the spiritual significance of what is the lineage to all religeons, arguably. Well written, clear. Fantastic.

This is a text that keeps on giving. I highly recommend the Online Community, which the author has set up. It not only helps digest the text, but it provides a number of other benefits - the most important probably being the reminder to remain with a "beginner's mind". That's essential in reading this book. Thank you.