The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism

Sacred Practices and Spiritual Marriage

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, Mysticism
Cover of the book The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism by Arthur Versluis, Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Arthur Versluis ISBN: 9781594779862
Publisher: Inner Traditions/Bear & Company Publication: March 25, 2008
Imprint: Destiny Books Language: English
Author: Arthur Versluis
ISBN: 9781594779862
Publisher: Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
Publication: March 25, 2008
Imprint: Destiny Books
Language: English

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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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.

More books from Mysticism

Cover of the book Meditations with Teresa of Avila by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book The Psychology of the Mystics by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book Connaissance de la totalité - Pourquoi l'univers fonctionne comme une totalité vivante by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book As Light Before Dawn by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book Fatture e controfatture by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book Mystics by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book Mental Alchemy by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book De Nietzsche à maître Eckhart by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book Gli aforismi di Nārada (Nāradabhaktisūtra) by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book The Awakened Ones by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book The Pythagoreans by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book The Gateless Gate by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book The Secret of Invisibility Revealed by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book Lectio Divina and the Practice of Teresian Prayer by Arthur Versluis
Cover of the book О чувствах by Arthur Versluis
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy