The Tantric Love By Maria Martins (Bhakti Shakti)
Book Review
This review is based on the first print published by Tantrananda Publications, Sydney, Australia, 2002. The book contains an introduction written by the author, five chapters, a bibliography and further readings, a Sanskrit glossary of Tantric terms and a glossary of Tantric Sanskrit names.
The Tantric Love book falls into the category of sacred sexuality kind of literature. The issue of love is fully addressed from the point of view of Tantric philosophy and its practical methods.
The first chapter known as 'The Tantric concept' makes description of the entire Tantric ideas starting with a brief history of Tantra and presentation of the Tantric panorama. The main Tantric deities Shiva and Shakti are described along with the ideas of the creation of the world expressed by the Tattva structure. Mantras, Yantras, Mandalas and the human body are parts of the essential knowledge of the means used by Tantra. The planes of existence and the Kundalini concept knowledge are important mainly for the issue of spiritual liberation. The issue of kinds of Tantric love is presented in its historical content. The chapter ends up with the aims of Tantra by enumerating the classical classifications.
Tantric Methods are described in this book specifically for experiencing the Divine Feminine Energy. Shakti and Shiva specific and united powers are explained in detail. The Tantric methods of re-polarization and rejuvenation for women and men are a major part of the work. The subject of Shakti Tantra is undoubtedly one of the most important in Tantra. Shakti means power and applies to the idea of the feminine power of creation that is represented at grand level by goddess Shakti. Shakti Tantra points towards using Shakti’s powers in order to attain spiritual liberation. The book describes how this power can be accessed by both men and women. That is followed by the topic of female-male interaction that intends to reenact the Shakti-Shiva ideal union.
India