The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra

Rob Preece, Snow Lion, 2006, 275pp, £12.95 / $18.95

Rob Preece has trained in the Tibetan tradition, works as a psychotherapist and gives workshops on comparative Jungian and Buddhist psychology.

‘When we enter the world of Tantra,’ he says, ‘we may need to loosen some of our preconceptions about the nature of reality.’ And he goes on to say, ‘We cannot assume that Tantra will find an easy resonance in the Western psyche when our cultural psychological background is so different, even if we feel an attraction. So we require a bridge between the complex practices of Tantra and our Western disposition for psychological understanding. The work of Jung has much to offer in this respect, throwing light on some of the more obscure aspects of these esoteric practices.’

It is a detailed work in four sections entitled: The Ground, The Vessel, The Process, and The Fruit. It is illustrated with line drawings by the author, and there is a glossary.

For anyone interested in Buddhism and Western psychology this will be of great interest.

DSR

Rob Preece has been a practicing Buddhist since 1973, principally within the Tibetan tradition. He has been working as a psychotherapist since 1987 and gives workshops on comparative Jungian and Buddhist psychology. He is an experienced meditation teacher and thangka painter.