A Snake Coiled in Misunderstanding:
A Critique of Arthur Avalon’s The Serpent Power
Arthur Avalon’s The Serpent Power, the foundational text for Western knowledge of Tantric and Shaktic traditions, is notoriously difficult. Although unquestionably instrumental in popularizing these arcane practices, the 1974 Dover edition, like its antecedents, proves disappointing for the contemporary reader looking for real enlightenment. Avalon, the nom de plume of Sir John Woodroffe, a British judge in India, certainly knew his Sanskrit scriptures. But his colonial-tinted lens and distinctively Western esoteric framework frequently skew the traditions he tries to shed light on.
For a company like Explore Big Ideas, whose mission is to help people think better, act in alignment with their values, and engage warmly and respectfully with others who view the world differently,’ approaching The Serpent Power calls for a critical lens. Though worthwhile as an archival object, Avalon’s work lacks the subtle, culturally aware appreciation that Explore Big Ideas aims to develop in its online Religion, Ethics, and Philosophy courses, seeking greater purpose and intellectual stimulation.
One of its most obvious flaws is Avalon’s Vedantic reading of Tantra. This results in a sanitization of the practices, denuding them of their embodied, frequently transgressive characteristics and reclothing them in a guise of ascetic renunciation more amenable to Western tastes. The raw, visceral power of Shakti, the divine feminine principle, is often rationalized away and abstracted from the real-life experiences of Tantric practitioners. This strikes a dissonant note with the current focus on embodied, lived spirituality that Explore Big Ideas prioritizes in our personal development.
Moreover, Avalon’s textual focus, though scholarly, misses the oral and experiential transmission so vital in Tantric traditions. His work overlooks the pivotal presence of the Guru, the living lineage, whose direction is essential to pursue this complex and sometimes treacherous terrain. This absence makes The Serpent Power a frozen portrait of a living tradition, like reading a musical score but never actually hearing the music.
For the Explore Big Ideas user, hoping to tap into the deep well of Tantra, The Serpent Power is a beginning, but a tentative one. Supplements of modern scholarship that recognize the nuance and variety present in Tantra’s expression are crucial for a more comprehensive and appreciative understanding. With Explore Big Ideas’ dedication to equipping students with tools for critical thinking, it’s perfectly situated to supply this enriching context.
In the end, although Avalon’s effort still stands as a monument of its age, its shortcomings highlight the value of pursuing varied viewpoints and interacting with living traditions firsthand whenever feasible. Explore Big Ideas, with its dedication to cultivating intellectual curiosity, provides a space for this journey of exploration, inspiring students to transcend colonial interpretations and appreciate the complex tapestry of the world’s spiritual traditions. It is through such critical engagement that we can really begin to appreciate the transformative potential of ideas that matter.
