Western Tantra: The White Path of Ethics
by James A. Beeby
This is the essential guide for the practices of Western Tantra. Terminology is a primary source of misunderstanding among religions and philosophies, so the terms to be used are explained in detail, and a glossary is provided so that this guide can be used by any Western philosophy or spiritual tradition.
Next, the book begins by explaining what tantra is, what we mean by the term Western culture, the general philosophy of Western Tantra, and how Eastern tantra is adapted for use here in the West. Tantra is a set of methods for rapid transformation using visualizations, and does not mean sex, although the transformation of sex into divine union is one of many tantric practices. The foundational concepts of karma and ego are explained, and their pitfalls. To determine if some aspect of the universe is conscious and cares about us, a new way of spotting miracles is described.
The primary methods of tantric practice are listed and how to perform the practices, and homework assignments and optional additional readings are recommended. A chapter on the optional practice of tantric sex is provided with far more detail than is typical for Eastern tantric texts which tend to obscure the practice with euphemisms. A unique feature of this book is a chapter on transforming the West’s “seven deadly sins” into beneficial qualities. To assist with our tantric practices, spiritual tools are provided and how to use them. Finally, tantric methods to turn adversity, pain, work, parenting, cooking, recreation, and even dying into the path of personal transformation and liberation are described.
The emphasis for this first guide to Western Tantra is on performing altruistic acts in the real world. These altruistic acts generate positive karma which accelerates and enhances the practices of whatever base religion or philosophy the reader already has, without attempting to convert the reader to any alternative world view. The reader is invited to try the practices and observe the results for themselves.