The Spiritual Traditions Of Sex

Why do we often feel sad after intercourse? In the West, the emphasis has been on the physical pleasure and satisfaction of the individual. This is to miss out on a whole exhilarating dimension that has long been recognized and thoroughly explored in eastern traditions: the spiritual dimension. Drawing from eastern traditions such as Taoism and Tantric Buddhism, erotic literature from China and Japan and the celebrated treatises from Persia and India (The Perfumed Garden and The Kama Sutra), The Spiritual Traditions of Sex shows you how you can tap into the great circle of energy that flows through the universe, how to transform a physical act into a loving, focused ecstatic meditation where souls share, exchange and reinforce each other's energies. Clear explanations of the philosophies of these great traditions and a series of simple, practical and pleasurable exercises are given to help you understand and learn the techniques from the east. The Spiritual Traditions of Sex will show you how the energy and ecstasy of sex can restore balance and harmony to both body and soul.

A historical, cross-cultural survey of sexuality as a sacred spiritual practice • Examines sacred sexuality in the world’s religious and mystery traditions • Explores contemporary “sexual stress syndrome” resulting from the absence of the sacred in sexual practice • Reveals how to find the sacred in the ordinary This book examines the history of sexuality as a sacramental act. In spite of our culture’s recent sexual liberalizations, sexual intimacy often remains unfulfilling. Georg Feuerstein instructs that the fulfillment we long for in our sex lives can only be attained once we have explored the spiritual depths of our erotic natures. Feuerstein delves into a wide variety of spiritual traditions--including Christianity, Judaism, goddess worship, Taoism, and Hinduism--in search of sacred truths regarding sexuality. He reveals that all of these great teachings share the hidden message that spirituality is, in essence, erotic and that sexuality is inherently spiritual. From the erotic cult of the Great Mother and the archaic ritual of hieros gamos (sacred marriage) to the institution of sacred prostitution and the erotic spirituality practiced in the mystery traditions, Feuerstein offers a wealth of historical practices and perspectives that serve as the bases for a positive sexual spirituality suited to our contemporary needs.

Spirituality is the quest to develop the spiritual side of your human nature. It has many different shades of meaning for each person. Often shaped by religious and societal norms, spirituality frequently evades many of us as we plod through our daily existence. Our busy lives keep our focus on our day to day affairs, and many of us don

Explores the reasons why sexual transgressions between spiritual teachers and student occur, when this type of relationship becomes a problem, and how to avoid it from happening.

For an educated, general readership and for use in college courses, this text introduces the role of celibacy, or a lack of it, in various religious traditions, and the contributors present the rationale for its observance (or not) within the context of each tradition.

Sex, Gender and the Sacred presents a multi-faith, multi-disciplinary collection of essays that explore the interlocking narratives of religion and gender encompassing 4,000 years of history. Contains readings relating to sex and religion that encompass 4,000 years of gender history Features new research in religion and gender across diverse cultures, periods, and religious traditions Presents multi-faith and multi-disciplinary perspectives with significant comparative potential Offers original theories and concepts relating to gender, religion, and sexuality Includes innovative interpretations of the connections between visual, verbal, and material aspects of particular religious traditions

This lavishly visual book traces sexuality throughout history. Drawing on a range of traditions and cultures, it explores the many ways human sexuality is entwined with the personal search for meaning. Features erotic carvings, bedchamber books, and photos of sexual practices. 160 color illustrations.

Exploring one of the most controversial topics in contemporary theology, this scholarly volume reveals what the world's great faiths—East and West—preach about sexuality, with a special emphasis on American religion. What do the world's most important religious texts have to say about one of humanity's favorite activities? Editors David W. Machacek and Melissa M. Wilcox have brought together top scholars in the field of religious studies to ask and answer these critical questions. Carefully researched, elegantly written, and respectfully presented, Sexuality and the World's Religions explores the intersection of the spiritual and the carnal in Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and African and Native American spiritual traditions. A separate section explores critical religious and sexual topics in American society, including the role of spirituality in gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities; the role of sex in the modern witchcraft community; and the ever thorny problem of religion and sexual liberty. Reconciling sexuality and spirituality in every human soul is one of religion's most important tasks. Students and other readers will find this timely and comprehensive volume of interest in exploring these issues.