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Tantra. L'iniziazione di un occidentale all'amore assoluto
Dopo una lunga frequentazione dei grandi libri dell'induismo e del tantrismo, a trent'anni, Daniel Odier si è ritrovato sulle colline verdeggianti dei contrafforti himalayani alla ricerca degli ultimi maestri del tantrismo shivaita, dei segreti dell'erotismo sacro. Odier non poteva sapere che laggiù l'attendeva Devi, la donna-yogin, l'eremita che, di prova in prova, gli avrebbe rivelato che la sessualità e il mistico sono un'unica cosa. Diventato suo discepolo, ha appreso, vicino a lei, la via dell'amore totale, in cui non vi sono dualità né vie da percorrere né scopi da raggiungere, ma soltanto un eterno lasciarsi essere, contemplando lo spirito nel suo stato naturale, disteso, risvegliato, divino. Per la prima volta un tantrika, un enfant du siècle alla ricerca della libertà di esistere, svela, nelle pagine di questo libro, i misteri di un antico sapere.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 18, 2016
Through the telling of the story of his own personal journey into tantra, Daniel Odier explains the depths and profound beauties of all of the relationships and energies involved, and yet, he manages to keep it simple.
This is an amazing book. It is short enough to read in one sitting, which I recommend, and it took me just over two hours to get through.
Almost by chance, Daniel encounters Devi, a female tantric master, in a remote Himalayan woodland. She takes him through a detailed exploration of his own spirituality using a series of very challenging, and sometimes dangerous, tasks and trials.
Shaivism is broken down into 36 tattvas. The first five are earth, water, air, ether and fire. Devi guides Daniel through making contact with every single one of the thirty-six along a very tough path.
Before it all starts, we witness the following conversation.
"What should I call you?"
"Sometimes I am called Kali, the destroyer, sometimes I am called Lalita, the playful one, sometimes I am called Kubjika, the potter, but I am always called Devi, the goddess. So call me Devi."
This is a sign of what is to come. As I said, it is a tough path to travel.
The sexual initiation is as intense, if not more so, than the rest of the path.
You can almost feel the depth and intensity of it all as you read.
Read this and feel the power.
Additional note - an after-thought
If my review inspires you to want to read this book, don't just add it to your to-read stack and leave it festering there. As I recall, it took me just over two hours to read, and it is mind-blowing.
I actually read is AFTER I had already had some tantric encounters with a Ukranian shaman, not even realising that the word "tantric" came into it. She described what was happening using different terminology. What I went through with her was a mini journey, which was nothing when compared to Daniel Odier's journey as he describes it in this book. Nevertheless, my journey was life-changing.
I'd also had an experience with a shaman near the Rio Napo in the Ecuadorian (Amazon) jungle. That was different, but still amazing. Almost unbelievable, actually.
This is an amazing book. It is short enough to read in one sitting, which I recommend, and it took me just over two hours to get through.
Almost by chance, Daniel encounters Devi, a female tantric master, in a remote Himalayan woodland. She takes him through a detailed exploration of his own spirituality using a series of very challenging, and sometimes dangerous, tasks and trials.
Shaivism is broken down into 36 tattvas. The first five are earth, water, air, ether and fire. Devi guides Daniel through making contact with every single one of the thirty-six along a very tough path.
Before it all starts, we witness the following conversation.
"What should I call you?"
"Sometimes I am called Kali, the destroyer, sometimes I am called Lalita, the playful one, sometimes I am called Kubjika, the potter, but I am always called Devi, the goddess. So call me Devi."
This is a sign of what is to come. As I said, it is a tough path to travel.
The sexual initiation is as intense, if not more so, than the rest of the path.
You can almost feel the depth and intensity of it all as you read.
Read this and feel the power.
Additional note - an after-thought
If my review inspires you to want to read this book, don't just add it to your to-read stack and leave it festering there. As I recall, it took me just over two hours to read, and it is mind-blowing.
I actually read is AFTER I had already had some tantric encounters with a Ukranian shaman, not even realising that the word "tantric" came into it. She described what was happening using different terminology. What I went through with her was a mini journey, which was nothing when compared to Daniel Odier's journey as he describes it in this book. Nevertheless, my journey was life-changing.
I'd also had an experience with a shaman near the Rio Napo in the Ecuadorian (Amazon) jungle. That was different, but still amazing. Almost unbelievable, actually.
March 14, 2013
Definitely more narrative and actual authentic, personal experience than you see in most books about Eastern mysticism, but still very full of the dense intellectualism that feels like a shield to me. Why aren't there more stories of the dirty, messy part of spiritual practice? Why is it always platitude after platitude? Everyone's spiritual journey is messy, yet rarely is that truth shared "after the enlightenment". I find this ESPECIALLY true with books about Eastern mysticism - perhaps because the "goal" is to "transcend ego". But there is no juice in a book full of spiritual doctrine with no personal connection. Can we not have both? And as I said, this book has more personal expression than I've seen in this genre, so I really appreciate that. Also, reading about a female guru was fascinating and I love learning more about the feminine aspect of Shivaic Tantrism. This book was lent to me by a wonderfully smart friend and I look forward to talking more about it with her!
September 3, 2007
I battled with this book a lot, because a lot of it really spoke to me and a lot of it I really questioned. It is the author's story of how he became a practitioner of tantra. There is a lot of tantra that I really like: its rejection of dualism and embracing of the divine in everyone and its openness to joy. The interest in finding oneself is certainly in this book, and that did resonate. The assumption that this journey would turn out well to me seems facile, and I struggled with reading it because of this and the sense of smug evolved superiority that I occasionally took from the writing. I'm still working out how much of that was me gazing in the mirror and how much was actually in the book.
Notwithstanding my cautions, this is a good book for considering tantrism as a philosphy, and not the shag carpet sensationalistic take on "tantra" that pop culture would foist on us.
Notwithstanding my cautions, this is a good book for considering tantrism as a philosphy, and not the shag carpet sensationalistic take on "tantra" that pop culture would foist on us.
May 26, 2021
Cea mai interesanta parte a cartii este titlul.
In rest -povestea /calatoria unui domn catre trezire si unire cu divinul din interior, sfarsita prin unirea cu divinul dint o divina indianca.
Povestea este lipsita de coerenta si este plina de banalitati.
Singurul lucru cu care am ramas, in urma lecturii, este o gaura de 28 de lei in portofel.
Haha.
In rest -povestea /calatoria unui domn catre trezire si unire cu divinul din interior, sfarsita prin unirea cu divinul dint o divina indianca.
Povestea este lipsita de coerenta si este plina de banalitati.
Singurul lucru cu care am ramas, in urma lecturii, este o gaura de 28 de lei in portofel.
Haha.
June 11, 2025
As an Indian and a practitioner of Tantra, I approached Tantric Quest: An Encounter with Absolute Love with a mix of curiosity and caution. Daniel Odier’s book is undoubtedly engaging - the prose is lyrical, the settings vivid, and the narrative arc keeps you turning pages. His journey with the Tantric adept Devi, set against the backdrop of Himalayan mysticism, has a certain narrative charm. But beneath the lyrical prose lies a deeper issue - one that continues to plague the global understanding of Tantra.
Let’s be clear: Tantra is not a sex manual. It is a profound, intricate, and sacred path rooted in non-dual philosophy, self-mastery, and union with the Absolute. Sexual energy is a part of the Tantric worldview, but it is just that - a part, not the whole. Tantra, in its authentic form, is a profound spiritual science rooted in discipline, inner transformation, and union with the Absolute. It demands rigorous sadhana, not indulgence.
Unfortunately, like many before him, Odier romanticizes the erotic and presents it as the heart of Tantra, pandering - whether consciously or not to a Western audience conditioned to equate Tantra with exotic sexuality.
The book’s portrayal of Devi, the female Tantric adept, walks a fine line between reverence and fetishization. And by the time Odier subtly begins to position his own Tantra/Chan institute, it’s clear that this is not just a spiritual memoir - it’s also a soft-sell. Monetizing a tradition as sacred and deeply Indian as Tantra is problematic, especially when the representation is already so diluted.
That said, I won’t take away from the book’s literary quality. It’s an atmospheric read and a compelling narrative. But if you’re genuinely interested in the spiritual path of Tantra - in its disciplined sadhana, its esoteric rituals, its sublime philosophy - you’ll find this book lacking in authenticity.
Books like these may satisfy Western curiosity, but they do so by distorting truth. Worse, they plant misguided aspirations in the minds of Americans and Europeans who then flock to India in search of a sensual “Tantra experience” often falling prey to unscrupulous individuals who exploit this very ignorance. This is not just a literary flaw; it has real-world consequences.
My Verdict: A seductive story that skims the surface of Tantra while missing its sacred depth. Read it for the prose, not for spiritual insight.
Let’s be clear: Tantra is not a sex manual. It is a profound, intricate, and sacred path rooted in non-dual philosophy, self-mastery, and union with the Absolute. Sexual energy is a part of the Tantric worldview, but it is just that - a part, not the whole. Tantra, in its authentic form, is a profound spiritual science rooted in discipline, inner transformation, and union with the Absolute. It demands rigorous sadhana, not indulgence.
Unfortunately, like many before him, Odier romanticizes the erotic and presents it as the heart of Tantra, pandering - whether consciously or not to a Western audience conditioned to equate Tantra with exotic sexuality.
The book’s portrayal of Devi, the female Tantric adept, walks a fine line between reverence and fetishization. And by the time Odier subtly begins to position his own Tantra/Chan institute, it’s clear that this is not just a spiritual memoir - it’s also a soft-sell. Monetizing a tradition as sacred and deeply Indian as Tantra is problematic, especially when the representation is already so diluted.
That said, I won’t take away from the book’s literary quality. It’s an atmospheric read and a compelling narrative. But if you’re genuinely interested in the spiritual path of Tantra - in its disciplined sadhana, its esoteric rituals, its sublime philosophy - you’ll find this book lacking in authenticity.
Books like these may satisfy Western curiosity, but they do so by distorting truth. Worse, they plant misguided aspirations in the minds of Americans and Europeans who then flock to India in search of a sensual “Tantra experience” often falling prey to unscrupulous individuals who exploit this very ignorance. This is not just a literary flaw; it has real-world consequences.
My Verdict: A seductive story that skims the surface of Tantra while missing its sacred depth. Read it for the prose, not for spiritual insight.
Read
May 28, 2021I came across this book by a coincidence. Some years ago, I watched a movie at BAMPFA in Berkeley, CA, called "Light Years Away". This was a movie by the famous Swiss director Alain Tanner. This movie impressed me in a strange way. In fact, so much so that I looked for the author of its story. It turned out that the movie was based on a novel by the French author Daniel Odier. Unfortunately, the novel was in French and it was never translated into English. Not being able to read the novel in its original language or translation, I looked for Daniel Odier's other books. So, this is his first book I came across and read it. I was fascinated by its story line. Daniel Odier is the practitioner of an ancient Buddhist practice that has a very large number of parallels not only with Buddhism and Hinduism but the theist religion that I belong to (Islam). For some years I studied Sufism which is considered a sect of Islam even though it really is not a sect. Sufism has a rich history as well. Its practitioners in Central Asia, Iran and Middle East have been persecuted by orthodox Muslims since the 7th Century AD because they meditated like Buddhists, danced like Hindus and believed that divinity resided in every individual. Their interpretation of Koranic readings was different than orthodox Muslims or Wahhabi. It reached its peak during the 13th Century when the Moghul hordes invaded the Muslim lands. Even if you don't intend to practice Tantric buddhism, Odier's book is a must read for everyone who is interested in spirituality. Because it narrates an amazing personal experience of a western man and it is a fascinating review of spiritual principles that must touch every human being deeply. After reading this book, I had a deeper appreciation of the Tanner's movie. Unfortunately, you cannot watch this movie in movie theaters. It is not available on Netflix, or other electronic streaming channels. There is a DVD that is being sold on Amazon. But it is quite expensive (around $50, I think).
Thank you,
Vehbi Tasar
Thank you,
Vehbi Tasar
February 22, 2017
Great story demonstrating discipline in art and the rewards when followed.
February 29, 2008
This is one of my absolute favorite books on the subject of Tantra. It tells the story of the author's journey to find a guru in India, and what he learned from her. In reading his story, we learn about the spiritual system of Kashmiri Shivaic Tantra.
June 29, 2011
This book is an authentic description of the encounter of an East-Indian yogini a French Swiss had years ago. I love this book of Daniel Odier most of all his books, because it is not brought with an intellectualism, what comes up in his later written books about Tantra.
May 24, 2025
Hoe moet je een boek als dit lezen? Als een getuigenis van een verlichte? Als een handleiding om verlicht te raken? Als een ontmoediging om aan een vergelijkbare zoektocht te beginnen? Als een metafoor (voor wat?)? Als literatuur? Als een ego-document in de trant van kijk-mij-eens (wat erg tegen de strekking van het onderwerp zou ingaan)? Wat mij verbaast, naast andere dingen, is hoe veel moeite het blijkbaar kost om momenten van extase, volledige vrijheid en verbondenheid met anderen te ervaren. Auteur beschrijft een periode die hij zou hebben doorgebracht met een yogini die hem inwijdde in de geheimen van tantra. Het verhaal verloop helemaal volgens het klassieke heldenverhaal-schema zoals uitgezocht door Joseph Campbell in ‘The hero’s journey’. Het heeft daarmee iets heroïsch wat me als lezer achterdochtig maakt. Daar komt het vaak mystieke taalgebruik van de auteur bij. Het maakt me wantrouwend ten aanzien van de waarachtigheid van dit verhaal. Tegelijkertijd lees ik dit omdat ik uit ervaring weet dat diepe verbinding met jezelf en iemand anders mogelijk is en tot grote momenten van diep voelen kan leiden. Al met al zitten er interessante passages in dit boek maar overtuigt het mij niet in zijn totaliteit.
“Opgehoopte kennis is niet belangrijk. Het gaat erom te begrijpen wat iemand bereid is op te geven om het onderricht te ontvangen.”
“Het tantrisme blijft vitaal omdat het nooit is gesystematiseerd. Alles is mogelijk. (…) Geen regels, geen methoden, geen weg, geen inspanning, geen prestaties, geen resultaten. Alles gebeurt alsof men nevel en wolken laat wegtrekken van de eigen hemel. Zon, maan en sterren zijn er altijd.”
“Geen enkel type yoga is beter dan yoga die niet bang is voor onderdompeling in de werkelijkheid. Buiten de werkelijkheid is geen spoor van het absolute te vinden.”
“Opgehoopte kennis is niet belangrijk. Het gaat erom te begrijpen wat iemand bereid is op te geven om het onderricht te ontvangen.”
“Het tantrisme blijft vitaal omdat het nooit is gesystematiseerd. Alles is mogelijk. (…) Geen regels, geen methoden, geen weg, geen inspanning, geen prestaties, geen resultaten. Alles gebeurt alsof men nevel en wolken laat wegtrekken van de eigen hemel. Zon, maan en sterren zijn er altijd.”
“Geen enkel type yoga is beter dan yoga die niet bang is voor onderdompeling in de werkelijkheid. Buiten de werkelijkheid is geen spoor van het absolute te vinden.”
April 23, 2019
One of my highest compliments for any book is that it taught me something. This one did; specifically, that everyone, at some point in their lives, usually in early childhood, have had one or more experiences of awakening. It’s not the exception, but the rule.
I have always maintained that everyone is ‘on the Path’ consciously or not. I have also suspected that far more people are awake - in some measure - than we commonly think; that ‘awakening’ itself is more the rule than the exception. We just don’t talk about it because we believe the hype about it being some near unattainable exalted state that leads one to an unalterable state of bliss which allows one to live in perfect equanimity. Ain’t so. Awakening isn’t a state. All states come and go, ebb and flow, ascend and descend, begin and end. It’s the nature of manifested existence. Awakening happens when you see that the You at the heart of you is stateless.
This book, with the assertion that everyone has awakening experiences when they’re young, makes sense but the immediacy of it to every individual is not something I’d considered. I guess I was still buying somewhat into the ‘exalted state’ mumbo-jumbo myself and thinking such suspensions of state didn’t happen to everyone, or perhaps happened over the course of many lives and much learning. Hogwash. Awakening is a gift freely given if we just open ourselves to it. It is present in every feeling of wonder, in every comma between life’s events.
There are some things I didn’t like about the book. Quibbles, really. Not worth mentioning. Many thanks and a deep bow to Daniel Odier for keeping the flame of Shivaic Tantrism alive.
I have always maintained that everyone is ‘on the Path’ consciously or not. I have also suspected that far more people are awake - in some measure - than we commonly think; that ‘awakening’ itself is more the rule than the exception. We just don’t talk about it because we believe the hype about it being some near unattainable exalted state that leads one to an unalterable state of bliss which allows one to live in perfect equanimity. Ain’t so. Awakening isn’t a state. All states come and go, ebb and flow, ascend and descend, begin and end. It’s the nature of manifested existence. Awakening happens when you see that the You at the heart of you is stateless.
This book, with the assertion that everyone has awakening experiences when they’re young, makes sense but the immediacy of it to every individual is not something I’d considered. I guess I was still buying somewhat into the ‘exalted state’ mumbo-jumbo myself and thinking such suspensions of state didn’t happen to everyone, or perhaps happened over the course of many lives and much learning. Hogwash. Awakening is a gift freely given if we just open ourselves to it. It is present in every feeling of wonder, in every comma between life’s events.
There are some things I didn’t like about the book. Quibbles, really. Not worth mentioning. Many thanks and a deep bow to Daniel Odier for keeping the flame of Shivaic Tantrism alive.
November 13, 2017
I've dabbled in meditation over the years and my wife is a meditation instructor. This was one of her required readings and I'd meant to read it for the sex parts mostly. It ended up being much more than I ever expected. The novelization of Tantra tends to cater to the lowest common denominator and this was certainly not that.
This book is brilliant. While there is a lot of exposition, where the meditation teacher is telling the student exactly what is expected, there are probably 10 or 12 lines (or more) that really punch you in the gut in a good way. The entire story is somewhat romantic (in a romantic adventure sort of way), with a Westerner, Odier, wandering in India looking for gurus to teach him new things. He sort of stumbles upon this Tantrica in the forest and wants desperately to learn from her.
Her lessons are meaningful, even for me sitting on a bus decades after the events, reading about it. Somehow, it isn't lost in translation. And meditation is an experiential thing and not just an intellectual thing. Somehow, Odier, manages to keep many lessons intact through this medium, which is no mean feat.
A great book for aspiring and even experienced meditators. I love this book and will probably read it again. There is so much in it, and I'm sure I've missed some things. Considering how impactful the items I caught were, there are probably more gems that slipped by me the first time.
This book is brilliant. While there is a lot of exposition, where the meditation teacher is telling the student exactly what is expected, there are probably 10 or 12 lines (or more) that really punch you in the gut in a good way. The entire story is somewhat romantic (in a romantic adventure sort of way), with a Westerner, Odier, wandering in India looking for gurus to teach him new things. He sort of stumbles upon this Tantrica in the forest and wants desperately to learn from her.
Her lessons are meaningful, even for me sitting on a bus decades after the events, reading about it. Somehow, it isn't lost in translation. And meditation is an experiential thing and not just an intellectual thing. Somehow, Odier, manages to keep many lessons intact through this medium, which is no mean feat.
A great book for aspiring and even experienced meditators. I love this book and will probably read it again. There is so much in it, and I'm sure I've missed some things. Considering how impactful the items I caught were, there are probably more gems that slipped by me the first time.
July 23, 2023
Summary
Its a short book about the author's search for a tantra teacher in India. He comes across many Buddhist and hindu ashrams and has many adventures and mishaps along the way. He finally finds a female ascedic who shows him that all he read was false. Things get pretty wild and intense the whole journey.
Themes
I think the main theme is that we are all one. In tantra, everything is basically brahman or god, and we only have an illusion of seperateness. However, some other important themes is that nothing is unsacred, even our genetalia, sex, or anuses (which are God), mindfulness and being present, sensation is more important than concepts, overcoming our deepest fears by facing them, spontenaity, and some more.
Style
The writing style is very titillating. He describes scenes very emotionally. Its hard to describe, but his journey comes alive in your heart, like the story reaches out and puts emotions into your heart. I think this supports the theme of spontenaity. They talk alot about abandoning our fears and conceptualization and being as spontaneous, innocent, and see things as a child does again. The writing gives a sense of childlike awe and wonder as well as a whole host of emotions.
Character Development
The main character and author, Daniel Odier, Goes through changes in his path. At first he is easily upset and naive. Then he grows bitter when he has a major setback. He starts seeking a tantra master and grows weary of his search and decides to give up and settle for a month in some village spontaneously. Then he meets the tantrika who changes his thinking through the book to be more flexible. He grows wiser and less prone to emotion as well as more life-like and full of bliss as time goes on. He becomes more spontaneous.
Personal Insights
I found the book to be very emotional, and I loved the rituals and meditations that he does. I may do some of those. I think the apontaneous message hit me depe because I dont feel alive. I want to know how to be spontaneous and authentically loving. In the book they talk about becoming a fountain of love that others flock to. I suslect the book is a roadmap or aid in that. But I wonder how one can be spontaneous while having a wife, kid, and other responsibilities.
Critique
My first critique is that the book gets a little preachy in places, but I've seen far worse. My second critique is that the philosophy is presented sloppily, with many loopholes and contradictions. I don't think that was intentional, even though it could have been presented as intentional.
Comparing
This book is the compete opposite of , "Tantra Illuminated." In TI, it was very dry and somewhat academic, covering many different parts of the philosophy and history with few rituals listed. In Tantra Quest, it was very titillating, impactful, and full of rituals to try as well as a much sloppier philosophy. Both were good books though.
Recommendations
If you like romance, sex, adventure, spiritual growth, or all of the above, you will love this book. I think it appeals to people who just want a story as well as people trying to understand Tantra. 5/5
Its a short book about the author's search for a tantra teacher in India. He comes across many Buddhist and hindu ashrams and has many adventures and mishaps along the way. He finally finds a female ascedic who shows him that all he read was false. Things get pretty wild and intense the whole journey.
Themes
I think the main theme is that we are all one. In tantra, everything is basically brahman or god, and we only have an illusion of seperateness. However, some other important themes is that nothing is unsacred, even our genetalia, sex, or anuses (which are God), mindfulness and being present, sensation is more important than concepts, overcoming our deepest fears by facing them, spontenaity, and some more.
Style
The writing style is very titillating. He describes scenes very emotionally. Its hard to describe, but his journey comes alive in your heart, like the story reaches out and puts emotions into your heart. I think this supports the theme of spontenaity. They talk alot about abandoning our fears and conceptualization and being as spontaneous, innocent, and see things as a child does again. The writing gives a sense of childlike awe and wonder as well as a whole host of emotions.
Character Development
The main character and author, Daniel Odier, Goes through changes in his path. At first he is easily upset and naive. Then he grows bitter when he has a major setback. He starts seeking a tantra master and grows weary of his search and decides to give up and settle for a month in some village spontaneously. Then he meets the tantrika who changes his thinking through the book to be more flexible. He grows wiser and less prone to emotion as well as more life-like and full of bliss as time goes on. He becomes more spontaneous.
Personal Insights
I found the book to be very emotional, and I loved the rituals and meditations that he does. I may do some of those. I think the apontaneous message hit me depe because I dont feel alive. I want to know how to be spontaneous and authentically loving. In the book they talk about becoming a fountain of love that others flock to. I suslect the book is a roadmap or aid in that. But I wonder how one can be spontaneous while having a wife, kid, and other responsibilities.
Critique
My first critique is that the book gets a little preachy in places, but I've seen far worse. My second critique is that the philosophy is presented sloppily, with many loopholes and contradictions. I don't think that was intentional, even though it could have been presented as intentional.
Comparing
This book is the compete opposite of , "Tantra Illuminated." In TI, it was very dry and somewhat academic, covering many different parts of the philosophy and history with few rituals listed. In Tantra Quest, it was very titillating, impactful, and full of rituals to try as well as a much sloppier philosophy. Both were good books though.
Recommendations
If you like romance, sex, adventure, spiritual growth, or all of the above, you will love this book. I think it appeals to people who just want a story as well as people trying to understand Tantra. 5/5
December 4, 2025
Odier writes with warmth and clarity, and his encounters with Devi offer a beautiful blend of philosophy, mysticism, and devotion.
Because the book is filtered through Odier’s personal narrative, it can be difficult to separate traditional Tantric teaching from his own interpretation — so it doesn’t fully offer an objective understanding of Tantra.
My favorite part is Devi’s words — some of the most beautiful lines in the book:
“You know that the moment for us to take leave of each other has come, and you won’t suffer because the bond that unites us doesn’t unite us to each other but simply passes through us to extend to the whole universe. You don’t belong to me; I don’t belong to you. We belong to the world, to the divine… Our bond isn’t subject to time or space. I will be everywhere you look…
We are a divine waterfall for each other where we can bathe ourselves in light and quench our absolute thirst.”
That passage alone makes the book feel luminous and tender.
Because the book is filtered through Odier’s personal narrative, it can be difficult to separate traditional Tantric teaching from his own interpretation — so it doesn’t fully offer an objective understanding of Tantra.
My favorite part is Devi’s words — some of the most beautiful lines in the book:
“You know that the moment for us to take leave of each other has come, and you won’t suffer because the bond that unites us doesn’t unite us to each other but simply passes through us to extend to the whole universe. You don’t belong to me; I don’t belong to you. We belong to the world, to the divine… Our bond isn’t subject to time or space. I will be everywhere you look…
We are a divine waterfall for each other where we can bathe ourselves in light and quench our absolute thirst.”
That passage alone makes the book feel luminous and tender.
March 19, 2021
It’s one of those books I’m embarrassed to have loved so much—the guy version of Eat, Pray, Love—but frankly, if you have already been developing some of these concepts, as I had been, it found me in the exact right moment that each line was ecstasy, each page a crystallisation of deeply non-trivial insight that had been coalescing over my last year.
Whatever gets you into tantra, gets you into it, and if this was part of it, no reason to be any less proud. I liked it better as an introduction than Osho’s book, and may I recommend any of Ngakpa Chogyam’s work next.
Whatever gets you into tantra, gets you into it, and if this was part of it, no reason to be any less proud. I liked it better as an introduction than Osho’s book, and may I recommend any of Ngakpa Chogyam’s work next.
April 8, 2020
Probably more like 3.5 stars.
This book provides an evocative, thorough introduction to the practice and principles and tantra through a first-person narrative. While I totally appreciated the firsthand account, through many parts I wished for more detail and a deeper understanding of some of the principles, though I also realize that this was not the aim of the book. It seems likely I'll revisit this at some point, as there's a lot of material covered.
This book provides an evocative, thorough introduction to the practice and principles and tantra through a first-person narrative. While I totally appreciated the firsthand account, through many parts I wished for more detail and a deeper understanding of some of the principles, though I also realize that this was not the aim of the book. It seems likely I'll revisit this at some point, as there's a lot of material covered.
April 6, 2021
Beautifully written and very important for anyone seeking understanding of what Tantra really means. I praise you for your courage to step into the unknown the way you did and to share that experience with us all. So much wisdom, sprinkled throughout. I imagine I could read it many times and still come away with something new. Let's hope more people start to understand what a true Divine Union is - this book is an excellent contribution to this possibility.
May 17, 2022
If you want to learn more about the tradition of tantra and have misconceptions about it (you do) then this is a nice intro.
It's a mix of memoir, travelogue and dense philosophical work.
I folded down corners of meaty explanation of
Meditation (hint: stop striving),
True union (hint: it's not about desire or 2 body parts) and
Balancing spirituality while living in the world (hint: if a cave ascetic can't walk to town without ruining his vibe, is he even awakened?)
It's a mix of memoir, travelogue and dense philosophical work.
I folded down corners of meaty explanation of
Meditation (hint: stop striving),
True union (hint: it's not about desire or 2 body parts) and
Balancing spirituality while living in the world (hint: if a cave ascetic can't walk to town without ruining his vibe, is he even awakened?)
February 20, 2021
This book changed my life.
It is one of those unabashed perspectives on Tantra by a non-Indian that is as honest and as powerfully authentic in its interpretation of a mystical and hidden practice as it should be.
So much so that I haven't missed reading any of Mr. Odier's books written thereafter. The other gem from this author's stable is Yoga Spandakarika. A must read.
It is one of those unabashed perspectives on Tantra by a non-Indian that is as honest and as powerfully authentic in its interpretation of a mystical and hidden practice as it should be.
So much so that I haven't missed reading any of Mr. Odier's books written thereafter. The other gem from this author's stable is Yoga Spandakarika. A must read.
July 6, 2017
Pretty interesting. Helped me reconciliate (how is that not a word) some of the struggles of living a spiritual life and how it relates to other stuff; mainly sex. I would probably recommend this one. It would be quite cool to meet a Devi.
February 21, 2020
Though it's impossible to know for sure if the author's experiences with a female tantrika are true or not, this was an interesting glimpse into one Frenchman's journey to learn authentic tantric practices. I suspect there's a lot of his own philosophy put into the mouth of the tantrika...
January 29, 2021
Smalsiai skaičiau,kaip jaunas vyras mokėsi tantros pas mokytoją moterį. Knyga padėjo gauti suvokimą, kas yra tantra plačiau. Bet bendrai tikiu, kad rasčiau geresnių knygų apie tai. Bet kaip rašė knygoj: tantros susisteminti neįmanoma, kad tai gyvas perdavimas iš mokyyojo mokiniui.
November 23, 2025
Illuminating
Daniel Odier presents a vivid account of Tantric practices in the spirit of the Karmamudra teachings of Tibetan yoga. I enjoyed his presentation very much and will be studying the teachings many times.
Daniel Odier presents a vivid account of Tantric practices in the spirit of the Karmamudra teachings of Tibetan yoga. I enjoyed his presentation very much and will be studying the teachings many times.
January 17, 2018
This one needs some stylistic help. What is Odier trying to do here? Does he want to tell a story? Or does he want to present the teachings of his guru? By doing both, he does each poorly.
March 15, 2018
A beautiful book filled with honesty and vulnerability. I appreciated getting a glimpse of a man's journey into his sexuality and his deep heart.
December 14, 2018
A book that is written with hear and can't be read without it.
April 17, 2019
Wonderful account of what Tantra is truly about. Good read :)
September 2, 2020
one of my favorite books... absolutely beautiful
January 23, 2021
A book to come back to, again and again.
November 23, 2021
One of the better books I've read on Tantric. So eloquently described & very captivating. Pure grace & elegance.
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