sacred sex

Tantra for Erotic Empowerment: The Key to Enriching Your Sexual Life
by Mark A. Michaels (Author), Patricia Johnson (Author), Tristan Taormino (Foreword)

tantra for erotic empowerment Tantra for Erotic Empowerment

Tantra for Erotic Empowerment is an instructional book that focuses on the erotic possibilities of  Tantric Sex, written by life partners Mark A. Michaels and Patricia Johnson, a “devoted married couple who have been teaching Tantra and Kriya yoga together since 1999″ .  Unlike many other books I have read on the subject of Tantra, this book teaches the spiritual quest for enlightenment in its most ancient form, rather than the watered-down versions you normally see for Western culture.  This doesn’t mean that the book is overly esoteric or the concepts difficult to grasp, as Michaels and Johnson explain the aspects of Tantra in the most elementary terms.  It is however, a healthy tome, with a wealth of information on sexuality, sexual spirituality, pleasure, desire, meditation, energy, bliss, transformation and union: basically everything your need to begin your Tantric journey as a novice, or expand upon the teachings you have already learned as an experienced practitioner.  In other words, this is not a quick study guide.  In fact, it has taken me many weeks to read from cover to cover, a rewarding experience that was well worth every word.  The authors actually recommend using the book by reading one chapter per week and then practicing what you have learned, which is the best way to approach this book.

The text features a foreword by Tristan Taormino, fifty-two exercises to do yourself solo or with your partner, multiple illustrations and photographs of Michaels and Johnson showing the various positions, as well as a complete glossary to help you understand all the terminology.  It is also written to be inclusive to all genders and sexual persuasions.

What is best about this book is that the authors use many of their own experiences as a practical guide to inform the reader and guide you on your spiritual quest of sexual enlightenment and pleasure.  It covers all aspects of sexual spirituality and has information both valuable to novices and those already knowledgeable in the art of Tantra.

Tantra for Erotic Empowerment is a book for those who want to get a taste of Tantric sexuality firsthand, for those who wish to understand their own sexuality more deeply, enhance the sexual component of their relationships, or explore some simple meditation techniques that embrace sexuality as a tool for spiritual growth…  At the same time, Tantra for Erotic Empowerment is not solely for beginners, since it explores both the theoretical and practical aspects of Tantra in some depth and includes exercises that even readers who are familiar with contemporary Tantra and Neo-Tantra should find both challenging and original…  We focus on consciousness, an experimental attitude, and, above all, pleasure…” –From the Introduction of the book.

This is certainly one of the best and most thorough books I have read on  Tantra, which is sure to help anyone interested in these topics enhance their sexual pleasure and intimacy together, as well as guide them on the path to their own sexual and spiritual awakening.

You can purchase Tantra for Erotic Empowerment at Amazon.com.  Thank you to the authors for allowing me the pleasure to review their book and to Viviane for suggesting it to me.

sexmagikspiritbook Sex, Magick and Spirit: Enlightenment through Ecstasy

“Sex is a potent method for directing and releasing magical energies.  The sexual act unites the polarities that exist within us to create a strong of energy which can be used to transform consciousness.”–from Sex, Magick and Spirit

Sex, Magick and Spirit by Bonnie L. Johnson and Peter L. Schuerman (Llewellyn Publications 1998) is a practical guide for those who want to explore the ancient mysteries of Sacred Sexuality.  Although it is an older book (1998) on tantra, it is not dated and the information is just as useful now as when I first got the book.  Of course, Tantra itself is an ancient practice, and Johnson and Schuerman’s book makes it accessible to modern-day readers.

Combining their knowledge and experience of Eastern Tantra and Western sex magic, Johnson and Schuerman offer easy to follow methods and techniques designed to explore the esoteric aspects of sexuality.  The book is written in a clear, precise language, including illustrations that demonstrate the various positions and exercises that make it even easier to understand.  It was created both for novice and experienced practitioners alike, with its simplicity and the wealth of information it offers the reader.  Anyone interested in exploring the sacred nature of sexuality will find this book a useful and inspiring resource.

“Sacred sex is a celebration of many things, but it is not merely celebratory. It is also a means of practicing magic, of transforming your consciousness in positive ways.”–from Sex, Magick and Spirit

Inside, the authors describe how to arouse the powers within in order to reach new levels of consciousness, how to heighten sensuality and intimacy between you and your partner “including hands-on techniques for experiencing union with one’s partner and with the Divine on all levels” and how to achieve personal transformation by harnessing the mystical powers of sex magick.

The book continues to delve deeper into the mysteries to describe the collective unconsciousness (Divine Consciousness) and the four main Palaeolithic and Neolithic Archetypes for Relationships, explaining how they relate directly with aspects of ourselves.  Many other topics include the seven energy centers (Chakras) and how to balance the energies and polarities within us, yoga exercises, massage, Kegel (or sex) exercises, breathing, meditation and visualization.   It candidly explains different aspects of sexuality and relationships like masturbation, prolonging arousal, breathing and orgasm, the energetics of sex, sexual ethics, oral and anal sex, tuning into your partner sexually, charging the energy centers, and the Sexuality Rituals such as Sacred Marriage and Sacred Prostitution.

“There were two primary types of sacred prostitution: one‑time prostitution, and long‑term devotion to the goddess. One‑time prostitution was an initiation rite for women, in which a girl, upon reaching puberty, would go to the temple of the goddess (Ishtar or one of her counterparts) and sit outside, waiting for a stranger to make an offering to the goddess and then to deflower her.”–from Sex, Magick and Spirit

Sex, Magic and Spirit is not only for those who practice Wicca, Yoga, Tantra or other Sacred Sexualities.  It is designed for those interested in experiencing greater intimacy, unity, balance, and metaphysical enlightenment with your partner and within yourself.

I personally found Sex, Magic and Spirit informative, well-written, enlightening and fascinating to read.  My partner and I enjoyed experimenting with the various techniques described in the book.  We both found the experience heightened our sensitivity to each others’ needs and brought greater awareness of our own.  I highly recommend this book for couples, individuals or pansexual groups who wish to delve deeper into their own sexual mysteries and awaken the God(dess) within.

Sex, Magic, and Spirit: Enlightenment Through Ecstacy Sex, Magick and Spirit: Enlightenment through Ecstasy is available through Amazon.com

amazing orgasm front cover Annie Sprinkles Amazing World of Orgasm

Annie Sprinkle has been exploring sexuality and orgasm for over thirty six years, from her early years as a porn star and prostitute, to her current incarnation as a sex activist, filmmaker, performance artist, AIDS educator, and Ph.D. sexologist. One of the first women to inspire the term “sex positive feminist”, Annie describes herself as “metamorphosexual”, and brings her years of sensuous experience and knowledge of the pleasures and diversity of orgasm to this film.

In Annie Sprinkles Amazing World of Orgasm, Annie plays host to 26 “sexperts” on the topic of orgasm, inviting them to share their experiences and theories on orgasm as an introduction to this vast topic with the viewer. There is one type of orgasm that most people encounter, the tension/release type, but, according to these sexperts, there are, in fact, multiple (if not hundreds) of ways to experience orgasm. For women, these include clitoral and inter-vaginal orgasms, dream-gasms, microgasms, breath and energy orgasms, and Annie’s favorite megagasm (she experiences her famous 5 minute orgasm on screen). Other sexperts describe laugh-gasms, fake orgasms, outer-body experiences, orgasms that are experienced giving birth and upon death, spiritual orgasm, fusion orgasms, full body orgasms that run through the charkas, g-spot orgasms, tantra orgasms, multiple orgasms, hour long expanded orgasms that take one to different levels of consciousness, cosmic orgasms, orga-bumps orgasms that transfer orgasm energy all over the body, and fear-gasms. The film shows a diverse range of people experiencing orgasm through masturbation, GLBT and hetero sex, sadomasochism, and disability. Other experts talk about the physiology of orgasm and the stages of arousal.

The film is structured into segmented interviews with the various sexperts describing their experience as they talk to the camera, montaged and super-imposed over archival footage of orgasm (often their own) with swirling new-age backgrounds. These special effects are sometime dizzying and distracting, and often kitschy, and although it was the filmmaker’s intent to make the subject playful and less clinical, it also serves to show the sexperts in a less credible light. Still, this film is an amazing and fascinating introduction into the world of orgasm and a must see for sex educators and orgasm enthusiasts.

Buy the film through Amazon.com

Annie Sprinkle’s Amazing World of Orgasm Annie Sprinkles Amazing World of Orgasm

An Exploration of Third Gender Sacred Sexuality

Sex is sacred, and can be a source of great spiritual power and beauty. Walking the path of being the Sacred Third in this world can also be an integral and powerful part of one’s spirituality. Yet in general, few know what a cross-section of those two paths would look like. The surviving traditions of sacred sex and sex magic do not have clear guidelines for the work of those of us whose souls, energy, and sometimes our bodies exist somewhere between male and female. What does sacred sexuality look like when we do it, in all our ambivalent glory?

This weekend will explore these possibilities in depth, with three full days of workshops, rituals, and activities. Some proposed workshops are:

Shapeshifting and Astral Sex
Sexual Energy and Breathwork for the Third Space
Sacred Toys: The Original Meaning of “Fetish”
Sacred Dance As An Erotic Offering
The Hermaphrodeities Of Sex
Touch, Dysphoria and Body Congruence
Energy Work Within Boundaries and Barriers: Safe Sex and Issues of Consent
Kurgarra and Galatur: Opening the Underworld

When: August 17-19, Friday noon to Sunday 6 p.m. You must arrive by noon on Friday, because that is when we discuss rules for the weekend. You can leave whenever you want. If you would like to come in Thursday night and camp over, there is no extra charge, just let us know when you will be coming in.

Where: Cauldron Farm in Hubbardston, Massachusetts.

What to Bring: This is a camping event, so bring a tent, camping gear, food for the weekend, flashlights, sunscreen, bug repellent, and appropriate clothing for the woods in August. There is a cold shower, a latrine, and a fire circle for cooking campfire food, but this is a no-frills gathering, which is why we can keep the price low. You might also want to bring: Large cushions. Soft mats. (There will be a lot of sitting on the ground for classes.) Backjacks. Folding chairs. Sex toys and other implements, if you have them. Sacred or festive clothing for dancing. Drums and musical instruments. Books on sacred sexuality that you think might be useful for other attendees. Towels and blankets. Donations of latex (unlubed comdoms, dental dams, and especially gloves), or towels, or blankets, or wet-wipes, are welcomed enthusiastically by the staff. Thank you!

Price: $25 for the weekend. Registration is due by August 1st. (We will have PayPal for registrations set up on the Cauldron Farm website soon.) Your fee goes entirely for such things as toilet paper, trash bags, soap, water, rehydration fluids, latex, towels, printed handouts, etc. The staff is unpaid and no one is making a profit here. Those who donate healthy snack food to the general table will be blessed.

For more information on Cauldron Farm visit: www.CauldronFarm.com

[via Lee "Bridgett" Harrington, who will be teaching]