How do I learn Classical Tantra? Here’s where to start

So you’re interested in Classical Tantra. Maybe you’re already dabbled in Neo-Tantra or have done the Buddhist thing, the yoga thing, the New Age thing, and you’re like – Classical Tantra! I want that!

However you ended up here, welcome. This article is designed for newbies and gives an orientation to the vast system that is Classical Tantra. The first thing to understand is that there is a difference between “learning Classical Tantra” and letting Classical Tantra guide your spiritual journey. One is an academic activity of the mind, the other is an experiential journey of direct realization.

That’s what we’re concerned with here – an experiential journey of direct realization. That means that everyone’s journey will depend on their particular life circumstances, conditioning, karma, traumas, samskaras, and vikalpas. If you decide that Classical Tantra is YOUR path, then we’re all heading in the same direction – towards embodied liberation. How each of us gets there will be different though.

What follows is a list of places to start. This list is not in sequence. And you don’t have to start by doing all the things.

The list is designed to help you assess what you might already be doing – maybe you already have an embodiment practice thanks to yoga, for example. And it helps you assess what it is you need to do, recognising that you don’t know what you don’t know right now.

This list introduces you to a basic Classical Tantra map based on the journey I’ve taken, which has been deeply informed by the teachers I’ve worked with, including Shiva Rea, Christopher Tompkins, Christopher Wallis and Shambhavi Saraswati.

Read a book. Here’s my favourite Classical Tantra books.

1. Tantra Illuminated by Christopher Wallis • This is the Bible for understanding the history, philosophy, View and practices of Tantra, particular Trika Shaivism. Highly recommend this! It’s big and thick… but SO much in it. Pay particular attention to the chapters on Śakta Upāya.
2. The Play of Awakening by Shambhavi Sarasvati • This is an easy-to-read exploration of some key concepts within Tantra, and what it mean to practice and live in this path.
3. The Recognition Sutras translated by Christopher Wallis • This 1000 year old text by Ksemarāja is translated and commented on by Wallis. It’s freaking amazing, but also long and dense.
4. The Reality Sutras by Shambhavi Sarasvati • These sutras are totally modern, written by Shambhavi herself. Each one focuses on one Teaching, and it’s a great way to begin to learn Tantra.
5. An Introduction to Tantra by Lama Yeshe • This is an older work, with a different flavour from the other two, from a Lama in the Buddhist Tantra traditions. Also pretty damn amazing.
6. Nine Poisons Nine Medicines Nine Fruits by Shambhavi Sarasvati • Another gem that is easy to read, transmits the essence of Tantra and covers a lot of ground

Join a Classical Tantra Community. Be discerning.

Find a Classical Tantra Teacher. Test the teacher.

Develop a daily embodiment practice.

Learn how to trust the felt-sense guidance of the body.

Practice Nitya Pūjā every day, or a comparable Classical Tantra practice.

Learn the fundamental Classical Tantra View Teachings.

Learn the basic map of the Classical Tantra Path.

Understand how trauma shows up on the path and learn tools and practices for working with it.

Attend Classical Tantra classes, workshops, retreats and Trainings.

Work with suffering as it arises in your day-to-day householder life.

Be willing to let everything burn – your attachments, your aversions, your confusion, your ideas, your beliefs and your mind-created suffering.