Arthur Avalon (1865–1936)

This is a fasciating book on tantra. It is highly technical (leaning towards the academic) and was written in 1919, so the language is very dated. If that doesn't faze you then I'd recommend giving this a read

Through his several books, Sir John Woodroffe was instrumental in removing many of the cobwebs of ignorance that had come to cluster round the Sakta philosophy and practice. The decent Indian mind that had developed a deep-seated prejudice against the Tantras became awake to their excellence after the pioneering work of this great foreigner. By editing the original Sanskrit texts, as also by publishing essays on the different aspects of Saktism, he showed that this cult had a profound show more philosophy behind it, and that there was nothing irrational or obscurantist about the technique of worship it recommends.

This work, Sakti and Sakta, considered a classic by both Indians and Westerners, provides an in-depth and objective account of the Tantric worship of Sakti, the Divine Power, and her action in the world. show less

Who is Kundalini, the Serpent Power? Mytholigically she is an aspect of the Shakti (power or energy) and consort of Shiva. Philosophically she is the creative energy that eventually forms mind and matter, and comes to rest in the lowest form of matter. She is consciousness: the power of matter to know itself. This book is the prime document for the study and application of Kundalini yoga.

This late tantra has informed the teachings of many modern Gurus. Practical and philosophical at the same time.