Customer Reviews

Women of the Light: The New Sacred Prostitute

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is not an easy review to write because the truth is that Dr. Stubbs' work has totally changed my perspective as to the reasons why women and men participate in sexual work. I am amazed with the information and it's presentation and could hardly put the work down as each chapter opened my mind to the sacredness and necessity of this area of service to humanity. I heard the voices of these women and their concern for the healing of clients and their dedication to wholeness. The material was organized in an easy to understand and intimate first voice monologues that were both compelling and entertaining; at night I could hardly put the work down. The subject matter is essential for every woman to read as we try to find our way through the mis-information that our society has given us about our role and seek to appreicate the gift of sexuality.

Reading WOMEN OF THE LIGHT has been a true healing for me. I could never have imagined the totality of validation and self-recognition I've gained from meeting the stories of these nine wombn. It's all too easy in this often closedminded society, to quickly reject the term "sacred prostitute" as oxymoronic. However, the collection wombn featured in this book will challenge any reader to open their world view of the sacred, of wombn and of vocational integrity. For this alone it's a must read!

Mr. Stubbs, I am more free now as a healer and a wombn than before I read your book, and I know that the seed of this liberation will continue to root more deeply and flower for a long time to come.

Women of the Light is spiritually and sexually liberating! "The Masseuse" chapter and the "Conclusion: From Sexual Sterotype to Archetype" by the editor are particularly powerful in the ways they elevate consciousness about the sacredness of sexuality and healthy sensuality.

I really loved this book. I bought it during a tantra workshop, started reading and couldn't put it down. It was an eye opening look into the spirit of a few women who have been unwilling to let the prevailing culture dictate who they are as sexual beings. I really appreciate Dr. Stubbs dedication to the sexually empowered woman.

This book changed my life. I struggled to reconcile how the oldest profession could have devolved into something dirty and illegal---from historically what at times had been a sacred and religious service that was highly honored in society. Each chapter is fresh with a new story of how the featured woman has taken her gift as a healer, educator, liberator, and consort to a new level, in service to women, men, and communities. Hats off to these women! It gives me a new appreciation for the value that can come of this line of work, and lends pride and due respect to sex workers of all types. From the sex surrogate who works with sex therapists treating victims of sexual abuse so those in recovery can relearn pleasure and trust through actual practice in safe sexual encounters, to the woman who teaches orgasm classes in livingrooms across the neighborhood, to the filmmaker who documented real women's genitals to show that like any body part, we're not all built like the ones in porn but each uniqueness is normal. There are some interesting stories of compassion from these women of the light that are applicable to healing sexual problems so often encountered in our culture. Three cheers for all the women this book was written about!

Stubbs presents us with women who tell their stories of being sex therapists and healers, which is an enlightened sort of "prostitution". Unlike regular business, they don't give what the client what they want; they give them what they need. Sexual healing often just involves sexual touch, such as whole body massage. The viewpoint is one from the pro-sex left, so they make arguments against the religious right and feminists who are against porn and prostitution. To these mostly California liberals, such things are not degrading to those who enjoy participating in sex business. Negative sexual experiences such as rape are due to societal repression of sex, not because of overexposure. Do not let the prevalence of porn, sexualized advertising and entertainment fool you: this society is still has a strong puritanical streak against straightforward talk about and participation in the many varieties of sexuality and fantasy. These healers seek to enlighten the public about sexuality, not merely titillate. -Well, what about sexual diseases?" one might ask as a counterargument to their positive view of free flowing sexuality. There is some mention of these dangers in the book, but it is glossed over as the authors give out their message that sex can be healing and give some examples of that. This book is very "San Francisco".

In ancient times, sacred prostitutes were the sexual healers who combined spirituality with sexuality since they are closely related. In these times, they cannot be so bold as to be sacred prostitutes at a temple, so they use the avenues of therapy business to work their wonders. The book gives a refreshing perspective of prostitution other than the tired one of worn out whores working for dollars to support their drug habit and ripping off clients.

I've always believed prostitution should be legal just as drugs should be legal that way they can be done wholesomely, healthy and with love. This book makes a compelling statement to the good done by thoughtful loving sex workers. It fortified my own opinion, maybe that's why I liked it.

The book is well put together and interesting to read. It should be read by any sex workers, their family and friends, and will also benefit any customers and their significant others. It also should be
read by people in the criminal justice system who make their living preying on sex workers and their customers so maybe they'll get a clue.

A good addition to any library where it can be read by many.
Michelle Ress, 2008 California

This book is so true of the new attitudes of our 'new women'. If you stand in judgement you will not accept change into your life. There are beautiful women out there working with their sexual power for healing. There are many people out there that suffer with their intimacy problems and sexual inabilities. Most can be healed with love and a patient friend and partner. Perhaps the partner is not able to give this unconditional committment to helping them. Probably they don't have one.
Gone is the prostitute that took drugs to give a man relief for money - the picture painted in our media. The new women are beautiful in their hearts, good living, caring for their body - the garment they wear over their soul.

Think about everything you read here... It is happening in our world today and futhermore the healing is working !!!

This book is amazing, thought-out, and very well done. Even if you don't agree with all of it's concepts, you will gain insight from it nonetheless. This book doesn't drown you in irrevelant, ancient history; it's applicable. Five Stars.

Twenty five years ago a major ruckus was caused when My Secret Garden : Women's Sexual Fantasies by Nancy Friday hit the book racks. Men and women who feared their erotic fantasies called it pornographic, yet today books on sexuality, segregate sex partners, orgasm coaches and sacred prostitutes are in vogue.

Using the BIP CD Rom the keyword "sex" brought up 6,058 matching titles --- someone out there darling is focusing on the physical. One of those writers is Kenneth Stubbs', In "Women of the Light" Stubbs has collected nine essays that look at the exploits of the nine "sacred prostitutes". These are various women who supposedly bring together "spirituality" and sex for money (about the same way a professional athlete brings together "spirituality" and "sports" for money - not). This is a radical book attempting to make the case that "sexwork" can be a source of healing, psychological growth and spiritual awareness. You decide. Conditionally Recommend.