Sex Shamans: True Stories of Sacred Sexuality and Awakening, (Paperback)

Sex Shamans is a book of about 20 short stories from real people describing their decision and intention in leaving their current life paths to pursue a path as a sexual healer. On the surface the book may appeal to those seeking this career path, but I feel it is more for those who would look upon this book and either dismiss it, or thumb through it in hopes of reading one of the hot parts. This is not that kind of book. It is well arranged to show you a vast diversity of people; men, women, non-binary, older, younger, from the US, from abroad. You regain lost memories and meaning from your generation going back from the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. You absorb very raw and real descriptions of dysfunctional households, abusive marriages, rigid religious paths, and very inspiring and sometimes intense details of how they rose above these things instead of being pulled down by them, and having them come to define and control their lives. Compiled with loving care by KamalaDevi McClure (who also contributed one of the best chapters), a figurehead of the sex positive, tantric and polyamory movement, as a further step in shining light on the unexplored aspects of sexuality, continuing from her other published works and her Showtime show, Polyamory: Married and Dating, it's a book that keeps you reading ahead to see what the next story will contain. Despite yourself, there is an admiration, bravery and intelligence in the stories that rises above ignorance and judgement. Different chapters will resonate with different people; for me they were the aforementioned chapter from KamalaDevi, Ria Blooms - which deals with immigration and bullying in a real and refreshing way, Patrick Olterman - who described a very true and rational transition from the Catholic Church to Sexual Healer, and Stephen Soulove - who reminds us that in therapy it's all about the work you need to do, that you find validation in the wrongs and pain taken out on you but also come to terms with things you've done, out of fear and hurt, to others, as well as how to maturely handle aggressive conflict. It is a book that can change hearts and minds and should be included in Sex Therapy and Counseling, Mental Health Services, Sex Education curriculums in High School, and most certainly College and Adult/Continuing Education. I found it timely, inspiring, with good re-read value and referential value. There's a lot of fluff and blah blah blah in the Sexuality and Sex Health medium but Sex Shamans is a true book, written from the heart that deserves to be recognized. Very Highly Recommended - most especially if you feel this book wouldn't be "for you".