Don't Drink the Punch: An Adventure in Tantra [Paperback]

Kamala Devi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

This edgy tantra novel is about a spiritual seeker in perpetual pursuit of truth and pleasure (not necessarily in that order.) From the brothels of Bangkok to the Temples of India, we follow a skeptic Jewish filmmaker as he follows a luscious Brazilian yoga teacher through a heart-opening and health-jeopardizing spiritual odyssey. When the teachings lead him, naked, into the cemeteries of South India he must decide how far he is willing to go for true love. In this Novel you will... Discover what Tantra really is Tour through the chakras Study ancient sexual secrets Learn about Ejaculation control Explore transcendental lovemaking And oh, so much more!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Juicy Genius! I am BLOWN AWAY by your CREATIVITY, a true page-turner.I can already see the Hollywood movie! --T.E.S. Founder of the Temple for Higher Consciousness

I nearly fell into a puddle of tears. Your writing, like tantric love making, is devotional, worship, and prayer. --Sara Mednick, Ph.D. Author of "Take A Nap"

It was part of my journey back into my sexuality. In short, I'm feeling lighter than ever! What fun. --Haunani Chong, Acupuncture Student

About the Author

Kamala Devi is a modern Dakini who awakened to the tantric path in Hawaii and deepened her practices while traveling Europe, Asia and India. She holds degrees in communications and performance arts from ASU and has written and directed for the stage. She currently lives in San Diego, CA and serves on the Tantra Puja Council. Kamala Devi is a professional speaker and Bliss Coach leading individuals towards success and self realization.

Product Details

• Paperback: 303 pages
• Publisher: Zendow Press (April 1, 2006)
• ISBN-10: 1879097990
• ISBN-13: 978-1879097995
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,699,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lusty odyssey of divine inspiration, July 30, 2006

By 

Robin B. Beattie (San Diego) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Drink the Punch: An Adventure in Tantra (Paperback)

I was truly surprised at how much I loved this book - and even more so with the second read. Unlike some of my other favorite authors who can fill pages with slippery stylized prose, Don't Drink the Punch is a relatively simple, straight forward story (albeit very sexy) with believable characters and insightful dialog developing into some increasingly profound concepts that culminates all too soon in a wonderfully classic surprise ending. It's very easy to imagine this as a major motion picture that we'd all want to see again and again!

Having been in and around the California Tantra scene for over a decade, I honestly didn't expect to glean a whole lot of new insights from a novel that I had assumed to be aimed at the beginner, but I was quite wrong. Just as the author alludes to throughout the book, for everyone from the acolyte to the ascendant, there is always room to learn and grow.

Don't Drink the Punch is a lusty odyssey of divine inspiration; guided by love, self-exploration, intrigue and an evanescent ascended master, a group of mostly western tantricas embarks on a pilgrimage across India in search of the deeper mystical secrets of ancient tantric expression. As the reader, I got to voyeuristically tag along, and recognizing the depth of what she has to offer, soon found myself asking the questions posed to our hero and heroine, seeking new answers for myself.

This book served as a timely reminder of my deeper needs for growth and development; for enlightenment... and inspired me to re-evaluate my own path and to spend more time in meditation, in open hearted expression and exploring what's really important - my connection to my greater self and to the divine.

And what a magnificent way to get there...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Multilayered Confection, October 28, 2007

By 

Anonymous (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Don't Drink the Punch: An Adventure in Tantra (Paperback)

This is a book that is part adventure, part sexy romp, part travelog, and tretise on the some of the more obsure rites of those following the non-dualistic shakta path.

There are major lapses in plot and character development, but who cares? This book is written in a light breezy style, perfect for the western reader.

But after you put the book down you may want to think about these important questions. . .how are we attached to our egos?, how can we affirm the spark of divinity within ourselves and others?, and how can we live our daily lives with integrity, purpose, and love?

Will there be a sequel?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not What You Probably Think It Should Be, June 20, 2006

By 

Michelle L. Devon "~~Professional Dreamer" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Drink the Punch: An Adventure in Tantra (Paperback)

This book isn't what you think it will be. It's a good story, a very good story. It's fiction, and it has a plot and characters and more. It's not instructional, preachy or how-to at all...

I saw the book, was intrigued by the title and that word Tantra in the subtitle, and truly did not know what to expect when I picked this book up to read it. The cover managed to capture my attention, even though it's not a genre I would typically read.

Several pages into the book, I knew I would not be disappointed! I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn't stop reading it until I finished it, even fighting sleep to stay up late into the night to read the rest of the story.

Don't Drink the Punch is well written, but in a style that is rather unexpected-first person, present tense! There are very few authors who have the capacity and talent to write in present tense, first person, and draw the reader into the story. Typically, we read in third person and/or past tense, more like reading a `movie' that we play out the scenes in our own minds. First person present tense requires precisely written scenes that keep the reader captivated as though they are inside the story, as it is happening, part of it.

Don't Drink the Punch achieves this requirement and then some! I found as I read Kamala Devi does this expertly, by making the reader feel completely connected and involved in the story, and I could identify with the main character on a personal level, and he is a MAN (I'm not!)

The story begins with the lead male character, Sal, in the Bangkok International Airport, where he spots a redheaded woman who captures his attention, so much so that he had to follow her and initiate conversation. Little does he know that this innocent conversation would lead him down a path with the beautiful and free-spirited redhead, Sara, through the streets and back-alley sex commerce of Bangkok, to the ancient cemeteries of India, with several stops in between.

Readers experience first hand Sal's experiences from body massages (where the masseuse uses their entire body to massage, not just their hands), dealing drugs, life threatening illness, participating in a sex cult and questioning every belief he's ever held dear to him, to experiencing the emotion of painful decision to choose between true love and sanity, and eventually to experiencing and understanding loss, remorse and guilt. Readers will learn in the end whether or not Sal learns from these experiences, how they change him-for better or for worse-and the fate of his love for Sara.

With steamy, erotic and sensual scenes interspersed with romance and affection, friendship and understanding, and plenty of adventure to keep it all exciting, it's no wonder I had trouble putting down this book.

Hidden in the pages of a fantastic fiction story readers also find historic information about specific locations and inside information to the inner workings of certain religious and spiritual beliefs in different parts of the world, without any judgment or attempts to preach or sway anyone's opinions.

It was a real page turner and a beautifully written story about love, passion, Tantra, obsession... and ultimately about personal fulfillment and finding one's own true path in this world, and not blindly following someone else down a path not their own. Steamy and sensual but also light and humorous, I found it both sad and uplifting at the same time, something that takes a talented writer to accomplish effectively, and Kamala Devi does not disappoint.

I have already recommended this book to several friends to read, because it is just that good. Highly recommended.