Description
Book Synopsis Offering a new understanding of Jesus as guru and master of left-handed Tantra, James Reho, an Episcopal priest and tantric initiate, reframes the Christian story and restores to modern Christianity the tantric wisdom practices that were edited out of church tradition and forgotten over the centuries. He explains how tantric Christianity views the human body as the primary “temple” of the Holy, with erotic energy as the signature of Divine Presence within. Rev. Reho reveals the similarities of the earliest Christian practices to the tantric yogas of India and Tibet and explores the role of Kundalini and the chakras. He details how to work with mantras, icons, and pranayama breathing exercises, as well as with gazing as a spiritual practice. Informed by the insights of ancient texts and early masters of Christian spirituality, the author provides step-by-step instructions on how to practice Christian tantric sex with a life-partner of the opposite or same sex.
Trade Review“Episcopal priest Reho peels back the Platonic influence on Christianity to uncover a radical rearticulation of spiritual practice in this engrossing guide. . . . the work beautifully serves any Christ follower seeking concrete, simple suggestions for body-based spiritual practice.” * Publishers Weekly *
“This is a book for our times. Deeply feminist in nature, it offers the hope of freeing Western men and women from the limitations of a sterile understanding of Christ and Christianity. This freedom is essential if we are going to heal the divisions in humanity and heal our planet from the ravages of dualistic exploitation. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring their personal experience of Christ.” * Mary Ann Whalen, LCSW, psychotherapist *
“James Reho is truly on to something here. Please read this book. You will understand the great Christ yogi in a new and powerful way. You will make real use of the peace and power Jesus brought to human life.” * Mark Whitwell, author of Yoga of Heart and The Promise *
“James Reho calls us into the marriage of East and West, the conjoining of Heaven and Earth, the pregnancy of spirit and matter. Tantric Jesus is a courageous call into the frightening and freeing world of oneness.” * John Philip Newell, author of The Rebirthing of God *
“I welcome Tantric Jesus for its potential deep implications for the future of Christianity in dialog with Eastern spirituality. . . . James Reho helps point us in the right direction, one in which our consciousness can be raised higher, richer, and fuller as a result of a conscious and knowledgeable dialogue between the Mystery of Christ and the living tradition of Tantra through the erotic spiritual process of holy longing.” * Russill Paul, author of Jesus in the Lotus: The Mystical Doorway Between Christianity *
“As an Episcopal priest and a yogi, James Reho is a bridge between cultures and spiritual traditions. Tantric Jesus, his insightful and skillful first book, likewise bridges mind and spirit, theory and practice, erudition and accessibility, passion and rationality, the sacred masculine and the sacred feminine. The book is revolutionary without losing heart.” * Christian de la Huerta, teacher, speaker, and author of Coming Out Spiritually *
“A brilliantly written and tremendously inspiring treatise on Tantra. A complete revelation!” * Diana Richardson, author of The Heart of Tantric Sex *
“For anyone who is longing to be transformed by the divine energies present in all of creation and the cosmos, Tantric Jesus is required reading, a sound and reliable guide for all who are traveling along the perilous but grace-filled path to the Heart of the Divine.” * The Rev. Peter Savastano, Ph.D. *
“With scholarship as thorough as its topic is controversial, Tantric Jesus infuses the traditions of Christianity with the embodied practices of Hindu Tantra. . . . Do the practices in this book, and your understanding of the historical Jesus and the path of Christianity will never be the same.” * Will Johnson, author of Breathing Through the Whole Body and Eyes Wide Open *
“James Reho brings out hitherto unrealized parallels between the tantric mode of the East and Christian practice in the West. The heavenly and the earthly come together in this fascinating book. As a Christian, I am richer for having read it.” * The Rev. Robert Corin Morris, D.D., Episcopal priest and founder of Interweave, Inc *
Table of ContentsForeword by the Reverend Dr. Matthew Fox
Acknowledgments
Part I Five Roots of Christian Tantra 1 Introduction to Christian Tantra
2 The First Root The Reality and Goodness of the World
3 The Second Root Christ-Shakti as Divine Activity
4 The Third Root The Body as the Temple of God
5 The Fourth Root Eros and Antinomian Behavior
6 The Fifth Root Guru and Param-guru Part II The Practice of Christian Tantra
7 Opening the Heart Activating the Christian Energetic Synthesis Practice: The Prayer of the Heart
8 Repeating the Sacred Name Mantra, Japa, and the Jesus Prayer Practice: The Jesus Prayer
9 Engaging the Holy Image Working with Icons Practice: Emanating the Deity
10 Gazing The Eyes as Doorways into God Practice: Gazing with a Partner
11 The Washing of the Feet Opening the Channel to the Divine Practice: Sacred Foot Washing
12 Sacred Sexual Union Entering the Life of the Tantric Trinity Practice: The Sacrament of the Bridal Chamber
Afterword Why Tantric Christianity Matters
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
