A guide to the history and modern practice of transformative Christianity

• Reveals the original tantric wisdom of Jesus and the early Church and its resonance with the tantric yogas of India and Tibet

• Explains how tantric Christianity views the human body as the primary “temple” of the Holy and erotic energy as the signature of indwelling Divine Presence

• Provides step-by-step instructions for a series of Christian tantric practices, including a partnered sexual practice, mantra and energy work, eye gazing, and work with icons

Unbeknownst to many, the original Christian spirituality as practiced in the early church and by Jesus himself was a tantric spirituality. In the West, Tantra often evokes images of arcane rituals or acrobatic sexual positions, while in reality Tantra is a holistic transformative path of life, love, and being--grounded in practice.

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.

Rev. Reho reveals how these heart-opening practices are rooted in eros, the life of deep desire, expressive of God’s grace within us, and are still alive in monastic practices in the Christian East. Integrating his personal spiritual experiences, years of study of ancient Christian mysticism, and an expertise in yoga and tantra, the author shows how we can re-engage the original truths of the early church to affirm the body as a holy vehicle and to utilize the energy of the erotic to achieve ecstatic union with the Divine.

The Reverend James Hughes Reho, Ph.D., is an ordained Episcopal priest with a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University. He has served on the staff of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami, as the Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Formation at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, and currently pastors a Lutheran-Episcopal church in Fort Myers, Florida. A spiritual director and certified yoga instructor, he leads retreats and workshops on yoga, meditation, and tantric practice in both religious and secular settings. He lives in southwest Florida with his wife.

Foreword 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