Author: Versluis, Arthur

Like the Tantra of the East, Western mystical traditions too have sought transcendence or divine union through sexual practices. Though largely hidden, these practices have played an important role in kabbalistic and hermetic alchemy, Gnosticism, early Christianity, the medieval troubadours, 19th-century utopian communities, the free love movement of the 20th century, on up to the present. Beginning with the ancient Greek Mystery traditions, Versluis traces the history of Western sexual mysticism, distinguishes between sexual magic and sexual mysticism, and reveals the secret practicies themselves. 160 pp.