Tag Archives: John Power

Rainbow Bridge

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The Shakta Tantrika of the Uttarakaulas

John Power

The Rainbow Bridge – The Shakta Tantrika of the Uttarakaulas

John Power

ISBN: 978-0-9542286-3-7

£15.00+p&p / $24.00+p&p

Click HERE for UK edition

Click HERE for USA & AUS

John was a student of Tantrik guru Dadaji Mahendranath [1911-91] in a correspondence that lasted from 1971 to 1991 and with occasional meetings. The last few years were difficult after Dadaji suffered strokes that affected his memory and ability to write with joined up lettering.

Dadaji was a Londoner by birth, whose maternal family included hereditary witches, and after meeting Aleister Crowley in his final years, when he was translating Chinese Taoist texts, he advised Dadaji to travel East if he wished to discover the pinnacle of mystical practices. At length, after interceding war activity, he did just that, via Australia to the far East, before settling in Gujarat, India. In so doing he did indeed bridge the range of Eastern and Western philosophies. It was in respect of this that he first borrowed the Norse image of the Rainbow Bridge when seeking to create a fusion of Eastern and Western practices.

The two main streams of activity that Dadaji was most keen to see made available to westerners came from the two main initiations he received in India: The Adi Nath lineage from Matsyendranath and the Uttarakaula Tantrik tradition of North India. 

The former emerged as the Arcane Magical Order of the Knights of Shambala, AMOOKOS; the latter as the Fellowship of Uttara Circles of Kaulas, which he asked John to organise for him. Most of the contents of this book are the collected essays created as guidance for those taking initiation in the group, and others with interest.

Otherwise, John has worked as an Art teacher and therapist in schools, colleges and prisons, having achieved his Masters Degree in Jungian Psychology and Art Therapy from London University in 1982. Some of his paintings illustrate this volume.

Gregory Peters is a writer and researcher who has written about Tantra, non-duality, and the intersection of East-West spiritual practices. He is an initiate of Adinatha and Uttara Kaula lineages of tantrika, as well as Dzogchen and western esoteric orders. His latest book was the Magickal Union of East & West from Llewellyn Publications.

John Power

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John Power, also known as Sri Vilasanath, bridges Eastern and Western esoteric traditions, blending tantra, surrealism, and introspective art. As head of the Uttara Kaula Fellowship, he promotes mental liberation through creative enjoyment, drawing on his roots in both tantric spirituality and countercultural movements like the 1960s Gandalf’s Garden magazine. His work spans various media, including exhibitions and books that explore symbolism, mysticism, and the divine feminine. Power’s teachings invite us to embrace a path of mystical insight and personal freedom.

For more, visit Uttara Kaula or John Power’s website.

Nu Tantras of the UttaraKaulas

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John Power

Nu Tantras of the UttaraKaulas
John Power
Publisher: Phoenix Publications Chelmsford 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9542286-6-8
£15.00+p&p / US$24+p&p

Click HERE for UK edition

Click HERE for USA & AUS

“The book by John Power is one of the first attempts I have seen to write a critical analysis of some of Mahendranath’s writings. John was entrusted with the Uttarakaula tantric aspect of our world and he has obviously nurtured and worked with his specialty for as he says 21 years (and more now.) At the end of his analytical work he includes original, very creative and fascinating rituals that are the summation of his experience. It is quirky and personal and that adds greatly to its value. I have often gotten swamped by Mahendranath’s large output of written words. To see a few of his major tantras re-worded, discussed, analysed and emotionally digested is so helpful. I recommend that those who are interested in the works of Mahendranath give this work more than a quick cursory glance.”
– Lalita Devi, Canadian Initiate and Tantrik Yogini.

“Power begins with an intro that traces his own relationship with Tantra, before clearly laying out the perspectives he is viewing the tradition from and giving a biographical note about Shri Dadaji Gurudev Mahendranath. He then proceeds to summarise Dadaji’s initiation and writing, then includes some of his own original rituals and images. This book is beautiful. So what validity does my opinion have especially in the light of my own rather self damning opening statement (to compound this outrage I neither understand Sanskrit nor am an initiated Tantrika)? However I have been a practicing magician for a long time, have lived in both the occidental and oriental environs, and have the insight into art, magick and humanity that comes from age and experience. I believe John Power has written a book that is of great value. It is about love and freedom; fun, liberation and compassion; and ways to work for and with this in a creative and progressive way. ‘The Nu Tantras of the Uttarakaulas’ is about magick from the heart and the inner self; the greatest and most transformative magick there is.” (Charlotte Rodgers, whose The Bloody Sacrifice is published by Mandrake)