Sexual Secrets: The Alchemy of Ecstasy

by Nik Douglas, Penny Slinger

* Features more than 600 original illustrations created by artist Penny Slinger

* 500,000 copies in print

* The undisputed classic in its field, it has been translated into eleven languages since it was first published fourteen years ago



This is the #1 bestselling title on the sexual mysteries of the East. Sexual Secrets was the first book to explore the Eastern path of love and mysticism, bringing together more than a thousand years of practical techniques for enhancing sexual awareness and achieving transcendental unity.

Genres: Sexuality, Nonfiction, Erotica, Spirituality, Occult, Buddhism, Love

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1979

Reviews

[Derek Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexual Secrets is an interesting and important reference on esoteric sex practices, yoga, meditation and certain symbols and archetypes. Though its subject is vast, it makes an admirable attempt at a thorough study of tantra and related practices. The authors have a background only in Hindu and Buddhist tantra, but they compile in this book texts from the Taoist tradition as well. Some may complain that the book is New Age-y and wishy-washy, preferring the technical detail of works by Taoist esoteric sex teacher Mantak Chia or the straightforward approach of western sex manuals. Nonetheless Sexual Secrets has a charm and beauty that offers more than mere mimicry of the ancient esoteric texts from which it liberally quotes, and, in some cases, displays in their entirety. It shows a real understanding of the imagery involved in meditation, as only a serious student of the practices would be able to convey. Those who find it vague are invariably those who do not practice meditation and those who have little interest in archetypes and symbols. That said, one serious flaw with the book is the authors’ opinion on homosexual sex and relationships and other practices that it deems deviant. Gay men or even heterosexual couples who enjoy anal sex (lesbians, or, at least, hetero women dabbling in girl-on-girl, however, fare better) will find that this book believes that they are doing things that are bad for their energy. This seems to be a somewhat common view in New Age circles, but it is by no means universal, and authors like Mantak Chia, for example, are more open-minded about how esoteric sex can be accomplished, not considering one's sexuality to be a hindrance at all. Despite its prejudices, the book has a wealth of information. It brings together in one volume source texts from Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist traditions, adds insightful commentary and ties in as well imagery, ideas and practices from meditation, breathing, static posture and movement exercises, ritual, mythology and artistic traditions.

[David Sparks · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this best-selling, still popular, and in print New Age sex manual, Nik Douglas and Penny Slinger manage, in three or four pages, to link male homosexuality to hormonal imbalance, patriarchal aggression, promiscuity, rape, suicidal tendencies, homicidal tendencies, the loss of magical energy, the decline of empires, and global apocalypse. Of course, homosexuality will go away if we as a species will simply learn to breathe properly and refrain from violent fantasies while engaging in heterosexual, reproductive intercourse. Lesbianism, while perverse, is not so monstrous as homosexuality, Douglas and Slinger explain, so long as it serves only as an hors-d'oeuvre or aperitif to the main and "real" meal. -- NOT RECOMMENDED AND INCLUDED IN OUR WORK AMONG THE MOST HOMOPHOBIC OF SPIRITUAL TEXTS.

[Ankur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains a lot of esoteric "stuff" that could give an impression of sex being some kind of serious process.
The things mentioned here are borrowed from Indian traditional texts of love making.
Don't know if its practical manual of sexual fulfillment.
did not read the whole book but interesting things from here and there.
I keep it in my list and also bookshelf just in case i get interested in yogic or tantric sexplorations later :)

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total classic. I used to own a copy and would like to own it again.

[Caren Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Penny Slinger on a beach in Kauai. I would not be married now if Penny had not taught me how to be a woman. This book is a treasure and a classic.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Asian artwork / illustrations

[Nathan Kibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love it

[Paul Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book for many years, probably a 1st edition. What drew me to it was the drawings. You see a number of them, those that usually say "from a contemporary photograph" such as the ones on pages 31, 34, 233, 235, 251, 258, 261, and 315 are from photographic porn magazines that I had shot of model Carol Tong, some with her boyfriend, Bill and some POV style with myself. These drawings look as if they were traced directly from the magazine they are that perfect. The mags are titled BILL'S CHINA DOLL & GOLDEN CANARY. They would be pretty rare if you could find them now.

Paul Johnson
paulsfantasy.com

[Isham Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Age classic on sexuality informed by Eastern practices and illustrated with beautiful drawings of the natural and erotic body; perhaps the best book of its type.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many interesting teachings, but I did not enjoy the authors style of writing at all.
He was often telling the same thing over and over again, which almost made me put the book away.

[Daniel Haug]

Very interesting take on sexuality from a non western perspective.

[Less_cunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

for me this was a great introduction into yoga, tantric love-making & eastern religions in general. the penny slinger illustrations alone are worth the price of admission, so if you see this book cheap at a used bookstore or thrift-store, snatch it up. also has an extensive bibliography.