Tantric Jesus: The Erotic Heart of Early Christianity
✍️ James Hughes Reho, Matthew FoxCurrently unavailable
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This groundbreaking work by James Reho, an Episcopal priest and tantric initiate, reintroduces a forgotten dimension of Christian spirituality. It posits that Jesus and the early Church practiced a form of Tantra, emphasizing the body as a divine vessel and erotic energy as a manifestation of God's presence. The book draws parallels with Indian and Tibetan tantric traditions, offering a reinterpretation of Jesus as a spiritual master. Beyond theory, it provides clear, step-by-step instructions for Christian tantric practices, inviting readers to engage in an embodied, transformative spiritual path.
Praise for this book
“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.”
📝 Description: Tantric Jesus: The Erotic Heart of Early Christianity
📑 What's inside
- 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
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
This book is designed for seekers who feel a disconnect between traditional dogma and the lived, embodied experience of the divine. It offers profound value to Episcopal priests, tantric initiates, and anyone curious about the hidden dimensions of early Christian spirituality. Readers will gain access to a transformative path that views the body as a sacred vessel and erotic energy as a manifestation of God. By providing clear, step-by-step instructions, it invites you to move beyond theoretical knowledge into active, spiritual practice. If you are looking to uncover Jesus's tantric wisdom and embrace a more holistic, erotic heart in your faith, this guide provides the necessary framework for that deep, personal exploration.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Reho and Fox present a bold reinterpretation of Christianity by aligning it with tantric principles, which will appeal to those seeking an embodied spiritual path. The text successfully bridges theological theory with practical application, offering unique insights into early Christian practices. However, readers adhering strictly to orthodox or literalist interpretations of scripture may find the emphasis on erotic energy and tantric parallels deeply unsettling or heretical. This is not a book for those who prefer compartmentalized spirituality; it demands an openness to merging sexual energy with divine worship. It is best suited for open-minded theologians and spiritual practitioners willing to challenge conventional boundaries in favor of a more integrated, visceral faith experience.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
If you are a seeker looking to deepen your Christian faith through an embodied, holistic lens, or if you're exploring sacred sexuality and its historical roots within Western traditions, this book offers a truly revolutionary perspective for your spiritual journey. It's for those ready to challenge conventional understanding.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Jesus as Tantric Guru
The book radically re-examines the figure of Jesus, portraying him not just as a religious leader but as a profound master of embodied wisdom. It aligns his teachings and life with core tantric principles, suggesting a historical connection between early Christian spirituality and the holistic, transformative paths found in Eastern traditions, particularly through the lens of 'left-handed Tantra'.
The Sacred Body
This text champions the idea that the human body is the ultimate sacred space, a living 'temple' for divine indwelling. It explores how erotic energy, far from being profane, is a direct signature of God's presence within us. This perspective challenges centuries of ascetic Christian thought, inviting a radical re-appraisal of physical experience as a pathway to the divine.
Practical Embodiment
Beyond its historical and theological reinterpretation, the book offers tangible methods for integrating this wisdom into daily life. It outlines accessible Christian tantric practices, including guided meditations, energy work, eye gazing, and even a partnered sexual practice, all designed to facilitate a deeper connection to the divine through direct, embodied experience and inner awakening.
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Tantra
- Divine Presence
- Embodied Spirituality
📔 Questions to reflect on
- How might viewing your own body as a 'temple' fundamentally shift your daily spiritual practices or your self-perception?
- Consider how 'erotic energy' (distinct from mere sexuality) might be a signature of Divine Presence in your own life. Where do you feel it?
- What traditional Christian teachings might be re-understood or enriched when viewed through a tantric, embodied lens, and how does this resonate with you personally?
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