Customer Reviews

The Art of Sexual Ecstasy: The Path of Sacred Sexuality for Western Lovers

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book can solve a lot of problems. Couples with failing relationships typically communicate little, have few common activities, and have poor or no sex. Learning Tantra is a fun activity that teaches couples to communicate and trust. Furthermore, Tantra gives couples a common activity that makes them feel special. They develop intimacy that their friends do not have.

Tantra encourages fitness. No one need be musclebound to enjoy Tantra, but fitness makes Tantra more pleasurable. At the same time some Tantric exercises are quite physically undemanding. Unfit individuals can enjoy Tantra also.

The book is well-written and well-illustrated, and discusses many of Ms. Anand's experiences. It discusses Tantric sexual techniques, but does not discuss Tantric history and mythology in detail.

Ms. Anand's book first asks the reader to examine their own sexuality in terms of Tantric principles. Two chapters discuss opening lines of communication and trust between partners, and developing skills for enhancing intimacy.

The chapter "Opening The Inner Flute" is necessarily technical. This chapter discusses the Tantric and Taoist principle of the "chakras" (energy centers) which permit "mental orgasm". Mental orgasm is non-ejaculatory, encompasses the entire body, and is superior to a genital orgasm. The chapter includes exercises to help partners begin to experience their chakras.

Ms. Anand next discusses "self-pleasuring" (foreplay) as a technique for breaking through individual sexual inhibitions and for building a couple's sexual intimacy and trust. Another chapter discusses role-playing games that allow couples to communicate in a non-threatening manner. The book does *not* mention using safewords, an omission that might cause discomfort while couples are learning Tantric positions.

The remainder of the book progressively develops Tantric sexual techniques and positions that individuals and couples can experience and enjoy. These sections are clearly written and illustrated, and offer suggestions to accommodate different body shapes, weight, and other comfort concerns.

The book's Appendix discusses Safe Sex. This well-written discussion suggests different techniques for new partners and for long-term partners, a sensitive and sensible approach.

I am a single woman who is eager to expand my practice and understanding of orgasm. I find this book very important in its spirituality and approach. However, it seems that the progress and education described in this book is best, and just about only, achieved by couples, despite occasional remarks by the author to dispel this notion. Sadly, I'll have to leave this on the shelf until there is someone to explore with.

I've given this book as a shower gift or wedding present many times, and the couples always get me aside and tell me how grateful they were for the book. The Art of Sexual Ecstasy is beautifully and elegantly written that you never have that embarrased feeling when sharing it becuase it reads nearly like peotry. The illustrations are lovely and tasteful, and the spiritual aspects are insighful and rich. I found the book to be personally inspirering as well. Thanks :-)

This book is not for those who want a single week-end's solution to a sagging (sorry) sexual desire. It reads more like a 12 week course "From Intimacy to Bliss" and involves many lengthy "practice" sessions. But if you've ever felt that sex was missing something or there was another level to explore, I highly endorse this in-depth volume.

I read it once through for personal interest and have used it as a guide with my partner for working through the tantric experience of sex, sexual communication, and sexual meditation. Tells you specifically how to open up and get in touch with aspects of your body and spirit that society murders at a very early point in our existence on this planet. Tantric sex is the most intensely spiritual experience and Anand shows you how you don't have to study for years with a kundalini yogi to acheive a certain ease and expertise with it. It is written from a very personal stance rather than as a sterile clinical tome...respectful and tasteful...all the best to Margot Anand on a wonderful write!...suggest "The Care and Feeding of Your Brain" as a companion to this to tune your mind and ready it for these fabulous ways of getting in touch with your sexual spirit...Kenneth Giuffre MD, author, "The Care and Feeding of Your Brain"

author of DREAMING YOUR REAL SELF: A PERSONAL APPROACH TO DREAM INTERPRETATION and DREAM BACK YOUR LIFE

THE ART OF SEXUAL ECSTASY is a beautiful book, tastefully illustrated with well-written text. Teaches you how to add intimacy to your lovemaking while honoring sexual satisfaction and mutual respect. It will improve your communication with your partner and offers new ways to revitalize your intimate time, including creating a sacred space.

I'm still waiting for the book on sacred sexuality that doesn't talk to me like I don't know where my own vagina is. I'm from a freak scene where men aren't afraid to indulge their feminine sides and neither are the women, where walking around naked ain't no big deal and many of us have found our g spots and prostates and are happily stimulating them.

It seems that this book targets the same audience as practically every other mainstream "sacred sexuality" book out there - middle-aged folks bored with their sex lives and with the kind of money necessary to attend these sorts of workshops (and the illustrations reflect that - I'm not complaining though, I'm happy to see realistic folks getting down!)

So be it - I'm happy to know that Margot Anand is doing the work that she does, even if I couldn't ever afford one of her workshops. Like I said, I'm still waiting for a book that ups the ante on sacred sexuality and I might just have to write it myself. If that were the case, I'd want this woman right by my side to help me out. I know she knows what she's talking about.

Btw, folks, let's not confuse today's "sacred sexuality" with real, true tantra (Anand makes this difference clear). Sexuality IS sacred, however, and realizing it as such will definitely change your life. However, sex is merely a small part of the TRUE practice of Tantra.

This book is a complete sacred sex course in itself. With lots of meditations, activities, and exercises, it is particularly suited for couples who want to open up to each other emotionally as well as physically.

I have owned this book for years and finally found a partner 6 years ago who was open enough to try some of the practices with me. It is chock full of fantastic exercises and ways of percieving and looking at things, with tools for opening your heart and mind to true intimacy.

We liked it so much that we went to a workshop with Margot last week. Of course, we came home and got the book out right away to see what else we can use to add to our relationship and our lives together.

Margot Anand has several books available to keep intimacy fresh for couples. This book is the best of it's kind. Even for people who roll their eyes at the "spiritual" aspects of sex, this books advice on sensuality, intimacy and arousal can bring a revived freshness into relationships even after years with the same partner.

The "Ritual of the Senses" itself is worth the price of the book. Guys that don't think they have anything to learn about sex REALLY should read this book...