Taoist Sexual Meditation by Bruce Frantzis. This was another book that was recommended to me, and I have to admit, the title threw me a bit. When it was recommended to me, it was for the information within, and the practices, and principles. It took me a while to work up the courage to buy this book, mostly because of the many people that would see it on it's way to my house, and I figured they'd get the wrong impression. But as it turns out, it was worth it.
Judging by the title, you might think this book is all about sex. Well, you're pretty much right, it is. But unlike the last book, 'Qigong Meditation', I reviewed, which is about the same size and length as this one. This book nailed it far better than I was honestly expecting. It has the depth of the last book, but then it goes even deeper. Much deeper. It has a lot of the practices as the other book, too. But perhaps the most important part is, it's actually interesting, even fun to read. Well, at least more so, anyways.
When it talks about the depths of meditation, and the experiences and growth you can achieve with it, it doesn't give you some watered down version that I see nowadays in so many books, that shy away from the true power and potential of meditation, for some garbage that they know will be accepted because it doesn't cross some sacred line that mainstream science has put before them. No, it pretty much crosses it. This book continues to climb up as you read. Each page you turn, if you read with an open mind, grows this picture of your potential inside.
It has a nice progression rate like that. You start off fairly simple and straight forward, but by the end, the author is talking about spiritual evolution, expanded consciousness, and enlightenment. Plus energy work, of course. A lot of what is talked about in the book, and how to achieve new heights, real heights within yourself, has a lot to do with chi work. And he doesn't just dangle a carrot in front of your face enticing you to chase it, but never delivering what you came for. You get the practices, methods and knowledge needed to proceed.
The information may not be perfect, but it is good, and it does have a better flow. There is only a few cons to this book that I can think of. One, it's very partner oriented. Most of what is talked about in the book, as well as it's practices, assume you have a sexual partner that is willing to participate in these energetic exercises with you. If you don't have one however, the book doesn't entirely leave you hanging, even if it is primarily geared towards two people working together. It does have enough solo practices that it presents, and the information derived is still useful if you're alone, or even outside of a sexual nature, it's still good.
The book is pretty graphic, too. So if you're shy about it, you may feel a bit awkward while reading it. There are plenty of pictures in the book, too, to help illustrate what is meant. Certain kinds of pictures. Pictures perhaps not suitable for younger readers.... 'Parental Discretion is Advised', kind of pictures. The pictures aren't hardcore or anything. All of them are sketches, but still, the pictures aren't shy. All in all, the book is fairly graphic, but not in the gratuitous way, but more like a detailed way.
The book starts off pretty physical, but gradually over time becomes more and more spiritual, as you learn to harness and turn physical and sexual energies, into more useful spiritual energies. The second part of the title is "Connecting Love, Energy and Spirit", which it does towards the end of the book. As it leads you through the physical processes of the body into a more spiritual, loving realm within, for both you, and your partner. It also begins how much potential people actually have within them, and what you can actually do, that many books nowadays shy away from.
It's a pretty good book, that, although at times was a bit awkward for me to read, did have the valuable information I was promised. Was fairly fun to read, if not at least interesting. And it had a decent flow to it for a book that size. So, I'd have to say it was worth the buy, and even a second read sometime.
8/10
Hope you enjoyed!
