Spiritual Polyamory

by Mystic Life

"Spiritual Polyamory" is a powerful, groundbreaking work, certain to intrigue, challenge and stimulate members of both the "poly-curious" and polyamorous communities. Mystic Life takes you on a journey into honesty, awareness and self-exploration. You will be encouraged to explore your true beliefs about love, jealousy, sex and letting go of control.

This book will help you to open your mind and heart to a fresh approach to intimacy which transcends fear and releases you into a world of unbound peace and joy.

For more information visit www.spiritualpolyamory.com

Genres: Polyamory, Relationships, Nonfiction, Spirituality

73 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Bunnicula · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reviews of this book I read online were extremely impressive, and I psyched myself up for a phenomenal reading experience combining two facets of my personality that I really revere - being polyamorous and starting into my spiritual journey. It started off really strongly with some really profound sentiments in the first few (really short) chapters. It seemed like everything he said could use a lot more elaboration, and I would have liked for him to delve into the points he made a lot further than he did, but I accepted the simple ways he put things and elaborated them with my partner with whom I was reading it.

I was enjoying it, until about halfway through, Mystic Life started phrasing things in a way that made you suspect that he saw himself as a kind of superior enlightened being for being a polyamorous person. It started as a hint in his writing and that only got worse as the book went on. When he started talking about gender, that's when I found myself being taken completely out of the book.

First of all, he referred to "both" genders as if there were only two, and even though he prefaced a lot of what he said by reminding the reader his experiences were as a white, heterosexual male living in America, you could tell he hadn't even tried to take himself out of his preconceived notions of gender roles, and saw men and women and their sexuality as this fixed, never-changing thing. Calling women the "gatekeepers of sex" and imparting this "gem" of wisdom, you could tell he had really outdated concepts of gender embedded into his person:

"Women don't value having sex as much as me because it is easier for a woman to have sex. This statement is no more radical than saying a person dying of thirst in the middle of the desert values water more than a person drowning in a freshwater lake."

Really. That statement is no more radical than the other.

He also mentions that abstaining from sex for any reason (including that you just don't want to) will prevent you from attaining enlightenment.

Mystic Life seems to forget that enlightenment might mean different things to different people, and that his way to enlightenment isn't the only way to enlightenment.

[Necol or Eli Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Pretty big ideas that not everyone may feel comfortable embodying however I think it's important for us to step back and think about whether the relationships we're in are functioning the way we are happiest and a book with strong ideas often helps us assess that.

[Aida · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice short reminding note.

nothing really new however.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting essay. I agree with the author on a lot of points, although there are some assertions he makes that seem confusing or hard to follow. This book probably wouldn't interest anyone who isn't already into both polyamory and spirituality, but for someone who is it can be a nice thing to read to help shape your thoughts.

Very short read and not too difficult. This will not be a helpful book to people newly embarking on poly who are looking for a roadmap for how they might get started. It is mostly a discussion on how polyamory can be an inherently spiritual concept and how the author sees the two as related.

Some good quotes here and there, but also some places that felt really preachy.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are few things that I disagree with. 1) There are more gender roles than just male and female such as transgender, transsexual...plus, it isn't all about heterosexual couples. There are gay couples that explore polyamory, bi couples ect ect. As wonderful as sex is it isn't the only way to enlightenment and some days you just aren't in the mood. Otherwise, this book starts out decently and could be a starting point for all types of couples to discuss their curiosity.

[Katie Suchan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found a lot of good information and challenges to the status quo thinking. Of course, most poly folks and spiritual people probably already challenge standard thought processes. Even though I didn't agree with everything the author writes, I found it an overall good, easy, and quick read.

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good points. A few things I might not agree with. A lot to think about. A lot of really good moments though.