The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism: Sacred Practices and Spiritual Marriage Kindle Edition
by Arthur Versluis (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
See all formats and editions
Kindle
$9.99
Read with Our Free App
Paperback
$26.74
5 New from $26.74
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.
Read less
Print length
175 pages
Language
English
Publisher
Destiny Books
Publication date
25 March 2008
File size
4347 KB
Next page
Kindle Monthly DealsKindle Monthly Deals
New deals each month starting at $1.49. Learn more
Product description
From the Back Cover
SEXUALITY / SPIRITUALITYBeginning 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 sexually charged 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, hermetic, and 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 tradition of Jacob Bohme in the early 17th 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.ARTHUR VERSLUIS is the editor-in-chief of Esoterica and the founding president of the Association for the Study of Esotericism. He is the author of numerous books, including Sacred Earth, Magic and Mysticism, Restoring Paradise, and The New Inquisitions. He lives in Michigan where he is a professor of interdisciplinary humanities at Michigan State University. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
Review
" . . . an insightful history of the role of human sexuality in the shaping of ideas and cultures." ― Chard Currie, New Dawn, Sep/Oct 2008
"In this scholarly paperback, [Versluis] traces the twisting and turning path of Western sexual mysticism." ― Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice, Oct 2008
"This book addresses a topic that is often overlooked (or else looked at as an embarrassing part of the mystical tradition) here in the Western world. This book looks at both the Pagan and Christian mystic traditions in many of their manifestations, with an emphasis of the Christian side. . . . There is no titillation in this book, merely accurate historical reporting." ― Michael Gleason, Witchgrove.com, Apr 2008
"Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticsim offers up a unique set of cross-connections essential to connecting spirituality with religious history. New Age collections, in particular, will find it an exciting survey packed with history and religious examination." ― Midwest Book Review, July 2008
"Like his other works, this book is essential reading for those who desire to understand some of the more hidden and truly esoteric streams of thought and practice that have been instrumental in the various traditions of Western esotericism." ― Institute of Hermetic Studies, Aug 2008
"At rare occasions sober and traditional presentations of commercialized magical activity appears as a counterweight to the occult sentimentalism that often finds its way to publication. Vesluis's masterful presentation of sexual mysticism is one of those rare books that cannot be recommended enough. . . . the landscape he opens is going straight to the nerve of this rich field of enlightenment. Highly recommended." ― O Caldeirao, Issue 16, May 2008 --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
Read more
Product details
ASIN : B003N3U3FS
Publisher : Destiny Books (25 March 2008)
Language : English
File size : 4347 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 175 pages
Best Sellers Rank: 1,015,818 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
709 in Gender & Sexuality in Religion
769 in Sexuality & Gender Studies Spirituality
853 in Mysticism
Customer Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Follow
Arthur Versluis
Arthur Versluis, Chair of the Department of Religious Studies and Professor in the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University, holds a doctorate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and has published numerous books and articles. Among his books are _Magic and Mysticism: An Introduction to Western Esotericism_ (Rowman Littlefield, 2007), _The New Inquisitions: Heretic-hunting and the Intellectual Origins of Modern Totalitarianism_ (Oxford UP, 2006), _Restoring Paradise: Esoteric Transmission through Literature and Art_ (SUNY: 2004); _The Esoteric Origins of the American Renaissance_ (Oxford UP: 2001); _Wisdom’s Book: The Sophia Anthology_, (Paragon House, 2000); _Wisdom’s Children: A Christian Esoteric Tradition_ (SUNY: 1999); and _American Transcendentalism and Asian Religions_ (Oxford UP, 1993). His family has owned a commercial farm in West Michigan for several generations, and so he also published _Island Farm_, a book about the family farm and about family farming in the modern era.
Read more
Customers who bought this item also boughtPage 1 of 3Page 1 of 3
Previous page
Kenogaia (A Gnostic Tale)
Kenogaia (A Gnostic Tale)
David Hart
4.7 out of 5 stars 30
Kindle Edition
$11.99
Gnostic Mysteries of Sex: Sophia the Wild One and Erotic Christianity
Gnostic Mysteries of Sex: Sophia the Wild One and Erotic Christianity
Tobias Churton
4.3 out of 5 stars 16
Kindle Edition
$12.99
Tantric Jesus: The Erotic Heart of Early Christianity
Tantric Jesus: The Erotic Heart of Early Christianity
James Hughes Reho
4.2 out of 5 stars 19
Kindle Edition
$17.99
Slow Sex: The Path to Fulfilling and Sustainable Sexuality
Slow Sex: The Path to Fulfilling and Sustainable Sexuality
Diana Richardson
4.1 out of 5 stars 136
Kindle Edition
$9.99
The Greater and Lesser Worlds of Robert Fludd: Macrocosm, Microcosm, and Medicine
The Greater and Lesser Worlds of Robert Fludd: Macrocosm, Microcosm, and Medicine
Joscelyn Godwin
4.8 out of 5 stars 28
Kindle Edition
$29.99
The Secret Island
The Secret Island
Arthur Versluis
5.0 out of 5 stars 1
Kindle Edition
$13.06
The Gospel of Philip: Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the Gnosis of Sacred Union
The Gospel of Philip: Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the Gnosis of Sacred Union
Jean-Yves Leloup
4.6 out of 5 stars 195
Kindle Edition
$9.99
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene
Jean-Yves Leloup
4.6 out of 5 stars 800
Kindle Edition
$9.99
Next page
How would you rate your experience shopping for books on Amazon today?
Very poor Neutral Great
Customer reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
9 global ratings
5 star
44%
4 star
32%
3 star
24%
2 star 0% (0%)
0%
1 star 0% (0%)
0%
How are ratings calculated?
Review this product
Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review
Sponsored
Top reviews
Top reviews
Top reviews from Australia
There are 0 reviews and 0 ratings from Australia
Top reviews from other countries
tom raterman
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on 5 June 2018
Verified Purchase
A good book and it corrects the wide-spread assumption about the superiority of Eastern over Western mysticism.
Report abuse
Mary Ann V. Smith
3.0 out of 5 stars Good intro to western sexual spirituality
Reviewed in the United States on 1 January 2020
Verified Purchase
Interesting book but wish there was more of the source material. The author tends to also move fast on some topics and dwell on others. Good introduction to western sexual thought.
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
Matjaz
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on 7 August 2017
Verified Purchase
Very good book on the subject of western "sexual" spirituality or however you want to call it.Even though the book gives a great inside on the western way, I would silll recommend you to check out tantra, if you did not already.
2 people found this helpful
Report abuse
jcp iffland
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 19 January 2018
Verified Purchase
Does not explore deeply enough the subject matter; could use elucidation of themes....
Report abuse
Chuck Peck
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent.
Reviewed in the United States on 30 November 2009
Verified Purchase
For those that wish to see the link between eastern and western sexual mysticism practices, this is an excellent primer.
3 people found this helpful
Report abuse
See all reviews
Want to Read
Rate this book
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism: Sacred Practices and Spiritual Marriage
by Arthur Versluis
3.76 · Rating details · 34 ratings · 2 reviews
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. (less)
GET A COPY
KoboOnline Stores ▾Book Links ▾
Paperback, 176 pages
Published March 25th 2008 by Destiny Books
More Details...Edit Details
EditMY ACTIVITY
Review of ISBN 9781594772122
Rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
Shelves to-read edit
( 1387th )
Format Paperback edit
Status
April 13, 2022 – Shelved as: to-read
April 13, 2022 – Shelved
Review Write a review
comment
FRIEND REVIEWS
Recommend This Book None of your friends have reviewed this book yet.
READER Q&A
Ask the Goodreads community a question about The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism
54355902. uy100 cr1,0,100,100
Ask anything about the book
Be the first to ask a question about The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism
LISTS WITH THIS BOOK
This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
Showing 1-30
Average rating3.76 · Rating details · 34 ratings · 2 reviews
Search review text
All Languages
More filters | Sort order
Sejin,
Sejin, start your review of The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism: Sacred Practices and Spiritual Marriage
Write a review
Tim Pendry
Oct 23, 2010Tim Pendry rated it it was amazing
Shelves: five-star, classics, cultural-studies, esoteric, feminism, history, medieval, modern-european, north-american, religion-spiritual
A short but very readable account of the necessarily 'hidden' traditions of sexual mysticism in the West from the open era of classical paganism through to the end of the twentieth century - an excellent counterpoint to Hugh Urban's 'Magia Sexualis', also read and reviewed by us on Goodreads.
Versluis is working in territory that is poorly recorded, in part because mainstream culture has cruelly punished heresies, and has consequently ensured that little survives by way of texts. The self-censorship of practitioners until recent times has had much the same effect on sources as has active and often cruel repression.
His scholarly refusal to speculate beyond the necessary makes one appreciate all the more the moral and sometimes physical courage of those dissidents who have appeared since the Constantinian settlement of the 320s AD placed an effective ban on sexuality as a positive spiritual force - a ban only removed slowly and uncertainly with the opening up of America and the rise of secular liberalism in Europe.
His analyses are sophisticated, showing how Western Christian mysticism owed something to its pagan predecessors. Practices were analogous to those in the worship of Shiva in India in the classical era and they developed (almost certainly independently though with periodic probable inputs from the East) many of the characteristics of the Tantric schools subsequently.
Indeed, he and we are struck by the alternative route that Christianity might have taken if it had not become the play-thing of imperial and papal authority. The story fills one with foreboding at the eventual outcome of the European Project if it is not curtailed and limited before it can become a threat to liberty under the growing economic and strategic pressures developing within and on the West.
Versluis wisely distinguishes sexual mysticism from magic (the more utilitarian and dominant strand of occult sexuality in the West today)and so does not go over the same ground as Urban. And his conclusions, linking the heretical to 'natural' connections in man and nature, to the egalitarian, to gnosis and to the transcendent are wise and thoughtful. Rather than give the game away, I suggest you get the book and come to your own conclusions before you read his.
Highly recommended. (less)
flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Janet
Jan 02, 2014Janet rated it liked it
Shelves: sacred-sexuality
Maybe it's because I have read widely on this topic, but I was disappointed by this book. While it is undoubtedly a learned survey, it never digs deeply into any of the documents or practices it discusses. It seems that the author's purpose was to make the case that sexual mysticism is part of the Western religious tradition, but not go into depth and details.
Part of the challenge of providing more detail is, of course, that many of these practices are not well documented and the available materials are often highly symbolic and difficult reading -- but I still felt frustrated at the end of the book, wishing for more.
It's primary value to me is as a pointer to groups or individuals I had not previously seen connected with sacred sexuality, like the poet HD. On the other hand, I was very disappointed that Versluis left out American sacred sexuality activist and martyr Ida Craddock.
(less)
