"Western Interpretations of Tantra"

"Several recent books about Tantra, by younger scholars who have studied in India, suggest that popular, western interpretations of this tradition are quite sanitized and have little to do with the original traditions that were dominant in India during medieval times. This strikes me as a fair criticism. And, at the same time, it seems as if the term "Tantra" is being used creatively in our own era. The following academic abstracts paint a picture of how the term has been used in the west in recent decades: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."