The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism

The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism PDF Author: Arthur Versluis
Publisher: Destiny Books
ISBN: 9781594772122
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
The first book to reveal the history of Western sexual mysticism • Reveals the secret sexual practices that have been used since ancient Greece to achieve mystical union with God • Details the sects and individuals who transmitted the radical sexual practices that orthodox Christianity never completely silenced • Distinguishes between sexual magic and sexual mysticism Beginning with the ancient Greek Mystery traditions, Gnosticism, and the practices in early Christianity, Arthur Versluis uncovers the secret line of Western sexual mysticism that, like the Tantra of the East, seeks transcendence or union with God through sexual practices. Throughout antiquity, and right into the present day, sexuality has played an important, if largely hidden, role in religious traditions and practices. This includes not only Christian but also kabbalistic and hermetic alchemical currents of sexual mysticism, many discussed together here for the first time. In the Mystery tradition of hieros gamos (sacred marriage) and the Gnostic tradition of spiritual marriage, we see the possibility of divine union in which sexual union is the principal sign or symbol. Key to these practices is the inner or archetypal union of above and below, the intermingling of the revelatory divine world with the mundane earthly one. Versluis shows that these secret currents of sexual mysticism helped fuel the rise of the troubadours and their erotic doctrine, the esoteric teachings of Jacob Böhme in the late 16th century, the 19th-century utopian communities of John Humphrey Noyes and Thomas Lake Harris, the free love movement of the 20th century, and the modern writings of Denis de Rougemont and Alan Watts.

The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism

The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism PDF Author: Arthur Versluis
Publisher: Destiny Books
ISBN: 9781594772122
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Get Book

Book Description
The first book to reveal the history of Western sexual mysticism • Reveals the secret sexual practices that have been used since ancient Greece to achieve mystical union with God • Details the sects and individuals who transmitted the radical sexual practices that orthodox Christianity never completely silenced • Distinguishes between sexual magic and sexual mysticism Beginning with the ancient Greek Mystery traditions, Gnosticism, and the practices in early Christianity, Arthur Versluis uncovers the secret line of Western sexual mysticism that, like the Tantra of the East, seeks transcendence or union with God through sexual practices. Throughout antiquity, and right into the present day, sexuality has played an important, if largely hidden, role in religious traditions and practices. This includes not only Christian but also kabbalistic and hermetic alchemical currents of sexual mysticism, many discussed together here for the first time. In the Mystery tradition of hieros gamos (sacred marriage) and the Gnostic tradition of spiritual marriage, we see the possibility of divine union in which sexual union is the principal sign or symbol. Key to these practices is the inner or archetypal union of above and below, the intermingling of the revelatory divine world with the mundane earthly one. Versluis shows that these secret currents of sexual mysticism helped fuel the rise of the troubadours and their erotic doctrine, the esoteric teachings of Jacob Böhme in the late 16th century, the 19th-century utopian communities of John Humphrey Noyes and Thomas Lake Harris, the free love movement of the 20th century, and the modern writings of Denis de Rougemont and Alan Watts.

The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism

The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism PDF Author: Arthur Versluis
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1594779864
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
The first book to reveal the history of Western sexual mysticism • Reveals the secret sexual practices that have been used since ancient Greece to achieve mystical union with God • Details the sects and individuals who transmitted the radical sexual practices that orthodox Christianity never completely silenced • Distinguishes between sexual magic and sexual mysticism Beginning with the ancient Greek Mystery traditions, Gnosticism, and the practices in early Christianity, Arthur Versluis uncovers the secret line of Western sexual mysticism that, like the Tantra of the East, seeks transcendence or union with God through sexual practices. Throughout antiquity, and right into the present day, sexuality has played an important, if largely hidden, role in religious traditions and practices. This includes not only Christian but also kabbalistic and hermetic alchemical currents of sexual mysticism, many discussed together here for the first time. In the Mystery tradition of hieros gamos (sacred marriage) and the Gnostic tradition of spiritual marriage, we see the possibility of divine union in which sexual union is the principal sign or symbol. Key to these practices is the inner or archetypal union of above and below, the intermingling of the revelatory divine world with the mundane earthly one. Versluis shows that these secret currents of sexual mysticism helped fuel the rise of the troubadours and their erotic doctrine, the esoteric teachings of Jacob Böhme in the late 16th century, the 19th-century utopian communities of John Humphrey Noyes and Thomas Lake Harris, the free love movement of the 20th century, and the modern writings of Denis de Rougemont and Alan Watts.

Hidden Intercourse

Hidden Intercourse PDF Author: Wouter J. Hanegraaff
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9047443586
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 566

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Book Description
The history of Western esotericism is rich in references to the domains of eros and sexuality, but this connection has never been explored in detail from a critical scholarly perspective. Bringing together an impressive array of top-level specialists, this volume reveals the outlines of a largely unknown history spanning more than twenty centuries.

Magic and Mysticism

Magic and Mysticism PDF Author: Arthur Versluis
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780742558366
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Book Description
Provides overview, from antiquity onwards, on various Western religious esoteric movements. This book includes topics such as: alchemy, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy and more.

Sacred Sexuality

Sacred Sexuality PDF Author: Georg Feuerstein
Publisher: Tarcher
ISBN:
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
Based on a vast diversity of religious and spiritual traditions, this comprehensive exploration of sexuality's spiritual dimensions uncovers deeply hidden messages about sexuality and shows how to incorporate the concepts of Hinduism, Christianity, Judasim, and other philosophies into our lives. Illustrated.

Polarity Magic

Polarity Magic PDF Author: Wendy Berg
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
ISBN: 9780738703008
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 388

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Book Description
Polarity magic is at the heart of the Western Mystery Tradition, though few are aware of its theory and practice. Even so, it constitutes the core of all mythology and mystery teachings. It recognizes that the most powerful creative force is found in the fundamental energies exchanged between a man and a woman. It exalts, rather than negates, human sexuality in spiritual and magical endeavor. This book explores the hidden traditions of the Western mysteries, focusing on the divine feminine and the sexual dynamics of magic. It shows why the feminine principle must be restored to magic, and offers practical magical examples of how this may be done. Sympathetic reconstructions of priest and priestess rituals are offered, which feature ancient historical and mythological couples such as Isis and Osiris, Taliesen and Ceridwen, Arthur and Gwenevere, Merlin and Gwendydd, and Akhenaten and Nefertiti. The magical implications of the relationship between Mary Magdalene and Christ are also addressed. Also featured in this one-of-a-kind magical volume is advice on forming working partnerships with beings of the faery realm, and techniques for the lone magician who works with inner-plane partners.

Sacred Earth

Sacred Earth PDF Author: Arthur Versluis
Publisher: Inner Traditions / Bear & Co
ISBN: 9780892813520
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Book Description
Placing Native American spirituality in the context of the world's great religions, Sacred Earth contrasts contemporary society's arrogant belief in its own power with native traditions of reverence for the earth. This eye-opening journey through the terrain of Native American spirituality is an urgent call to rediscover and become firmly grounded on the sacred earth again.

Kali's Child

Kali's Child PDF Author: Jeffrey J. Kripal
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226453774
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 421

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Book Description
Scholar Jeffrey J. Kripal explores the life and teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, a 19th-century Bengali saint who played a major role in the creation of modern Hinduism. The work is now marked by both critical acclaim and cross-cultural controversy. In a substantial new Preface to this second edition, Kripal answers his critics and addresses the controversy.

Conscious Love

Conscious Love PDF Author: Richard Smoley
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470249072
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
Though love is a perennial topic for writers of all kinds, much of what is written aboutlove is simplistic and unsatisfying. In Conscious Love, Richard Smoley—an expert on the esoteric traditions of mystical Christianity—incorporates insights and wisdom about love from noted thinkers in literature, art, philosophy, sociology, cultural criticism, and even neurology. This remarkable book offers a blueprint for infusing conscious love into human relationships.

Secrets of Western Tantra

Secrets of Western Tantra PDF Author: Christopher S Hyatt
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781935150251
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Book Description
So many books on Tantra are obscure, obtuse and of little real use -- especially for the Western Practitioner. Finally there is a book which provides a direct, honest, pragmatic, no-holds-barred approach to the most powerful methods for personal growth and spiritual attainment. "Sex is one of the most powerful forces on the planet and, until it is transformed, the people and the planet will remain asleep". This revised edition includes a new article by S Jason Black.