Aloha,
Caroline Tully wrote:
> John Mumford, author on Tantra, explicitly links Tantra to Witchraft
> in one of his books - could it be "Ecstasy through Tantra"? I don't
> have the book, but I've seen it. I am not sure whether he backs his
> claims up with any evidence however other than the apparently similar
> appearance of a Wiccan circle and a Tantric circle, as mentioned above
> by Mogg.
Tantra has probably influenced Neo-Pagan Craft.
But it doesn't appear to me that Tantra had a strong influence during
the founding years of Craft in post-war England. Western resources and
people seem to have been the upwelling source, even though many tantric
resources were available.
I think that explicit efforts to link Craft and Tantra started later,
during
the early years of the big Pagan publishing explosion, when other
historical
cultures and spiritual modalities were being investigated by Pagans. Or
promoted as resources. (Mumford's book was published in the late 80s.)
Besides, I think that Tantra was promoted to Pagans more for the sex magic
than for the overall outlook/worldview.
In regard to Tibetan Tantra, Vipassana, my recollection that this
connection
was established in the 80s, too. Two things come to mind. One, the
arrival of
Tibetan emigrants, who could offer instruction. Two, the popularization of
vipassana meditation in progressive therapy and its diffusion through that
channel. (The human potential movement and progressive therapy modalities
did influence Paganism on the US West Coast.)
My overall impression is that similarities of form between Craft and Tantra
are more coincidental than intentional and that most Crafters are not
avowed
Tantrikas. Tantric elements and deities may have been adopted, but in the
manner that Neo-Pagans do with all sorts of spiritual resources. If Tantric-
centered groups or trads exist, we'd have to study them in detail.
Musing It's Mostly Western! Rose,
Pitch
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