Customer Reviews

The Spirit of Intimacy: Ancient Teachings In The Ways Of Relationships

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I remember how much we liked Kahlil Gibran's 'The Prophet' back in 1969. This is another little book (even easier to carry around) which is chock full of knowledge and wisdom, but it's even more. It will get you high just reading it, even though to truly practice what Ms. Some writes about will truly take a lot of work. But if you can find a group of people who want to support each other in this way, by all means . . .

Sobonfu (I met her and her husband in Michigan about 10 years ago) grew up in a Dagaara community in southern Burkina Faso (West Aftica); most of what she writes about is what they actually practice, and to good effect, in the villages there. It's all tried, tested, and true to life.

She, like her husband, is extremely smooth and articulate in her use of language, and really gets her point across . . . reading this will change your mind about a lot of things. It's golden knowledge, really.

Her explanations about how spirit works in the context of an intimate relationship, about the place of ritual in a community lifestyle, and so on, are full of heart, and very, very practical. Wiccans and other modern-day 'ritualists' will find a great deal here upon which to ruminate. It's simply put, but never simplistic; there's not a gram of cookie-cutter mentality here. The methods work because things are set up to be responsive to any kind of situation that may crop up. Not necessarily infallible, but there's not much to screw up here if you pursue things honestly and with good support people.

Towards the end there were some things that I didn't completely understand, but I imagine it's a matter of getting more experience.

All of hers and her husband's books formulate multiple structures of thought/feeling which can give the reader numerous opportunities [while reading/thinking - or even sub/unconsiously) to re-envision/reclaim all kinds of experiences that you have passed through and that have passed you by in your life. It's almost as if you can travel to any point in your past, re-insert part of yourself, and relive the moment in a better way. And that can have a wondrous and powerfully positive effect on the present. I don't understand whether this is a by-product, or if it occurs as if by design. Sobonfu would probably say it hardly matters - that it's part of the workings of spirit. And I can live with that. And as she says in closing, "People may say that you're weird, and that you're reading about weird people, but you know, perhaps it's time to celebrate being weird."

I fell in love with this marvelous book the moment I opened it. There are so many beautiful spiritual truths between the covers of this uniquely special book. I have passed this one on to a rare and unusual couple because spirit led me. Do yourself a favor and purchase and treasure the truths that are laid out before you.

Reading this book opened my eyes to the realization that there are certain things needed for a man and woman to successfully communicate in a relationship. Though, like many, I thought I'd weathered the storm and been thoroughly prepared, I found that there were a number of things I needed to improve upon.

Having met Sobonfu, I can only say that she embodies what she's written. Reading a book has a different affect on you once you've met the author. The spirit she exemplifies is the one she writes about in the book.

My suggestion is to buy it, read it, and then tell all your friends and family to do the same. Don't do Sobonfu an injustice by borrowing or loaning this book. Give her her just rewards buy purchasing your own copy. It's worth every cent and then some.

Sometimes the words you're looking for come from the most unlikely places. Sobonfu Some's contribution is key if we are to find a counterbalance to our consumer culture. Singles, couples, adults and teenagers alike will find rewarding activities in this book which warm the heart more than going shopping can, and it's a gasp of fresh air. I hadn't realised the import of how we connect to other people until I read this book.

Every women should have this book in her library. Sobonfu Some gears this book towards Afrikans in the diaspora and basically analyses the differences in relationships across world view and cultural perspectives... You'll be given lessons in communication and the process of communing with spirit which is key to human beings survival. This book clearly outlines the importance of community and the role one plays as a member of a community. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in enhancing their relationships. This book is well worth the $, It's that deep!

When I needed her most, Sobonfu surfaced. The majority of us are so very confused about intimacy and what it really means. This book will answer your questions.

This is a wonderful book that offers many little gems that encourage and facilitate the willingness to be open to intimacy in relationship. I think for many people who have struggled in relationship the author offers very useful, practical and enriching ways to let ones' relationship grow and develop. I love that the book is from an African perspective and though it's not geared only to Africans shows that African people have a workable approach to relationships that is spritually centered and life affirming.
I especially liked the authors' discussion on the use of rituals in African culture. The author made them come alive for me and helped me recognize that ritual is something we do anyway though we do not call it that and why. Her discussion on it's value and power in African culture was very empowering because she shows how we can open ourselves up on many levels to healing ourselves and our relationships by consciously utilizing rituals in our lives.
I also liked the author's emphasis on the importance of community, in helping build intimacy and supporting healthy relationships which is especially important for African people.
I would have liked more information on how some of the rituals or concepts used in ancient ways could better translated or modified for the present time.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like a spiritual, african centered approach to building healthy relationships.

The book is excellent, very informative and gives credence to a lot of African traditions, very different to the 'primitive' understanding Western Imperialists have had us believe of African ways.

When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a missionary to Africa. Now I find myself in the interesting position of having these wonderful African teachers - Sobonfu Some & husband, Malidoma Patrice Some - being missionaries TO ME.

I have wanted the kind of intimacy Mrs. Some describes in her inspired little book, my whole life. It is my earnest hope and prayer that the western world will learn from the West African culture, and find the true happiness we have declared the right to pursue.

I couldn't possibly recommend the book more highly.

Such a well balanced sharing of spirit.

Also check out:

Living Deliberately: The Discovery and Development of Avatar
Resurfacing: Techniques for Exploring Consciousness
Love Precious Humanity: The Collected Wisdom Of Harry Palmer