New Book
This book masterfully clarifies the nature of tantric practice. In contrast to the approaches of conventional religion, tantra does not attempt to soothe the turmoil of existence with consoling promises of heaven and salvation. The tantric practitioner chooses to confront the bewildering and chaotic forces of fear, aggression, desire, and pride, and to work with them in such a way that they are channeled into creative expression, loving relationships, and wisely engaged forms of life. In order to make the processes of tantra psychologically intelligible for a contemporary reader, Rob Preece makes judicious use of the work of modern psychotherapy, forging a compelling link between a Western tradition that hearkens back to the alchemical traditions of our own past and the comparably alchemical strategies of Tibetan Buddhist tantric practices. In keeping with the pragmatic and therapeutic aims of both psychotherapy and Buddhist meditation, The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra never loses sight of the central importance of applying these ideas to the concrete realities of day-to-day life. By illuminating the richly symbolic language of tantra through the intermediate language of psychology, The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra points to the transformative nature of tantric practices.About the Author: Psychotherapist and meditation teacher Rob Preece draws on his 19 years as a psychotherapist and many years as a meditation teacher to explore and map the psychological influences on our struggle to awaken. Rob Preece has been a practicing Buddhist since 1973, principally within the Tibeetan Buddhist tradition. He spent between 1980 and 1985 in India engaged in isolated retreat in the Himalayas, under the guidance of a number of Tibetan Lamas, principally Lama Thubten Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Ven. Gen Jhampa Wangdu. He has worked as a psychotherapist since 1987 and was trained at the Center for Transpersonal Psychology in London. Since 1987 he has given many workshops on comparative Buddhist and Jungian psychology. He taught at Sharpham Buddhist College in Devon and was a trainer at the Transpersonal Center in London for a short time. He is an experienced meditation teacher and Thangka painter (Buddhist icons) and currently lives in London.
