On Sunday, April 23, the Rev. Dr. James Reho will be with us at Ascension to preach and lead a forum on his new book, Tantric Jesus, following the 11 a.m. service.
His book explores resonances between early/Eastern Christian spirituality and Indian and Tibetan Tantra. From the book’s Forward, by noted Creation Spirituality theologian the Rev. Matthew Fox:
One looks for signs that rigid religion need not perpetuate itself and space is made for justice and compassion to assert themselves in all our relations whether that be with one another or with Earth and her marvelous creatures. This book offers such a vision in both a theological and a practical way for it presents many insightful breakthroughs in the Western grasp of the person of Jesus while it brings the wisdom of the East and West together, enlivens body and spirit, and moves us beyond a world of dualisms and antimatter philosophies to a consciousness that opts for a sacred marriage of the divine feminine and sacred masculine.
Dr. Reho, known to many at Ascension from his time as chaplain at General Seminary — when he also often celebrated at our altar and preached from our pulpit — currently pastors a Lutheran-Episcopal church in Fort Myers, Florida. A spiritual director and certified yoga instructor, he leads retreats and workshops on yoga, meditation, and tantric practice in both religious and secular settings.