The preliminary practices of Tantra aren't a hurdle to be gotten through in order to get somewhere else; they're an extraordinarily rich collection of practices which have much to offer as a means of cultivating and maturing the practitioner's psychological ground. They can enable experiences to unfold, and they can clear the way when there seem to be problems or hindrances practitioners are struggling with. In Preparing for Tantra, Preece draws on his experience as a Tantric Budd...

If you have been practicing Buddhism for a while, why do you still have so many problems? And how do you balance the sometimes different needs of spiritual and psychological perspectives? Rob Preece draws on his personal experience—over two decades as a psychotherapist and many years as a meditation teacher—to explore and map the psychological influences on our struggle to awaken. For psychological and spiritual health, acceptance of imperfection is key. Wisdom does not always come as a fl...

This book masterfully clarifies the nature of tantric practice. In contrast to the approaches of conventional religion, tantra does not attempt to soothe the turmoil of existence with consoling promises of heaven and salvation. The tantric practitioner chooses to confront the bewildering and chaotic forces of fear, aggression, desire, and pride, and to work with them in such a way that they are channeled into creative expression, loving relationships, and wisely engaged forms of life. In o...

The realm of emotion is one of those areas where Buddhism and Western psychology are often thought to be at odds: Are emotions to be valued, examined, worked with as signs leading us to deeper self-knowledge? Or are they something to be ignored and avoided as soon as we recognize them? Rob Preece feels that neither of those extremes is correct. He charts a path through the emotions as they relate to Buddhist practice, showing that though emotions are indeed "skandhas" (elements that make u...

Earth has retreated to a small circle of worlds and the corporations that drove Earth's fleet back celebrate their independence by doing what corporations do best... maximizing profits. Unfortunately, in a world where simple commodities can be manufactured anywhere, one of the most salable, most profitable products available is slaves. And pre-teen to early-teen girls are the highest value product.When the Security Corporations raids the lab where her parents work, and where she an...

Iraq is dangerous enough with insurgents firing, anger over US bombing of local mosques, and the general lawlessness there, but fellow Americans are supposed to be on your side. Life gets a lot more dangerous for US National Guard Sergeant Ivy Newland when the secretive spy-type she's guarding decides that she's seen too much and tries to kill her. What she's seen is the True Cross--hidden in what is now Iraq for hundreds of years since it was captured from crusaders by Saladin. The Founda...

Her parents' old spellbook was too tempting and Sara Slocum couldn't imagine anything happening when she and her friend wished for a perfect boyfriend. She certainly didn't imagine summoning a demon. Still, once he arrived and she couldn't send him back, she figured she should get some use out of him.Jack is happy to be released from Hell, but he can't help stirring things up--and every wish Sara and her friend Katra make brings more trouble. Sara soon discovers that a demon boyfri...

Since the Start Bicycling Company pulled the rug out from his dreams, Max Sandow has been fighting for his survival in the industry he loves. He's finally got his company going, winning some business and doing what he loves. When Joli Start, of the Start Bicycling family walks into his factory, the only thing he wants to see is her gone. But Joli needs Max--she's agreed to a cross-country bicycle race for control of her family's business--and it'll take a miracle for her to win. Max, somet...

Lawyer Erin Tsong knows how to put on her game face, intimidate an opposing witness, play tough, but there's such a thing as carrying intimidation too far. At least that's what the judge says when she grows snakes out of her head. And Erin finds herself without a job, without a boyfriend, and with the threat of her mother coming to take care of her. Unfortunately, what happens to Erin is not unique--all over America, people are being transformed--and Erin is caught up in the backlash....

When Ellie Winters' parents are murdered, Ellie goes to the hiding place they had told her about--and discovers that she may have come to Earth from another dimension. To find her parents' killers, she will need to travel to a strange world and survive. She emerges in the middle of a civil war. The only way she can have her revenge is to help the heir to the throne become king--but when she does, she learns more about herself and about how ugly revenge can really be.Over the course...

Marooned on a low-technology planet, a young space merchant should be able to whip up some inventions and take control. Unfortunately for Jake, his background is in business--and English Lit. Still, with the greatest civilization of Arcadia in serious decline, Jake has to make a decision--do what he can to save it, or look after his own rear end.Science fiction adventure.

It seems like a routine mission for cop Olivia Jardan--investigate a biological failure in the exclusive centercity, assess and avenge any harm against an insured individual. But Olivia's investigation uncovers a split between the ruling corporate consensus and the Interfaith--the religious organization that controls the lives of the ordinary citizens. If word gets out that Interfaith Enforcers are assassinating ratepayers, the carefully constructed compromise that has replaced governments...