This essay is from a 1956 book of essays by Aldous Huxley entitled "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" (or in the UK, "Adonis and the Alphabet"). It appeared on this web page in one block of text, and to make it more legible, I have inserted paragraphs as I saw fit, with apologies to the late Mr. Huxley.

Every civilization is, among other things, an arrangement for domesticating the passions and setting them to do useful work. The domestication of sex presents a problem whose solution must be attempted on two distinct levels of human experience, the psycho-physiological and the social.

A friend recently recommended The Complete Yoga of Human Emotional-Sexual Life1. In this book spiritual teacher Adi Da Samraj explains that intimate sexual relationships can be wholly compatible with a life of real spiritual practice, while also pointing out that sexual techniques alone are not a shortcut to enlightenment.

1. 1. by Adi Da Samraj, The Dawn Horse Press (2007)

Ho'oponopono

Do you have 'good reason' to be wary of the opposite sex? Most everyone who has been sexually active for a while has been battered by a painful, failed romance - or is feeling bad about contributing to one. Not only that, many have a parent or other trusted adult of the opposite sex who took impulsive actions that were harmful to family members.

The Toltec-Mayan traditions of Mexico and the Southwestern USA have their own lore about the careful cultivation of sexual energy. A few years ago, Merilyn Tunneshende described their practices in Don Juan and the Art of Sexual Energy.1 Most of the book is devoted to spiritual practices celibates can use, although the sages in her book clearly have great respect for the synergy between the polarities of male and female, and even the possibility of a profound celestial union between soul mates.

1. 1. Bear & Company (2001)

These instructions for the practice known as "Merging Meditation" were excerpted from Don Juan and the Art of Sexual Energy by Merilyn Tunneshende.1 Use it to move toward a feeling of oneness.

1. This is a beautiful practice used by [energy workers], to become one with the object of their intent. It may be used by lovers or friends also, to become one with one another.
1. 1. Bear & Company (2001), p. 177

These instructions for the breathing practice known as "Fire Breath" were excerpted from Don Juan and the Art of Sexual Energy by Merilyn Tunneshende.1

1. 1. Bear & Company (2001), pp. 93-4

White Buffalo Calf Woman Myth

Buffalo stretched to the horizon across the grassy hills. Two brothers were walking towards them. As they walked they saw within the herd a white buffalo calf, something neither one of them had seen before. While they watched it, it began to raise itself up and as it did, its appearance became human.

The apparition began to move slowly towards them, becoming more and more visible as they stood there watching. Anxiously, the brothers waited and at last over the crest of a hill came a beautiful woman. She was wearing a white buckskin dress decorated with dark porcupine quills. At her side she carried a pipe bag which had on it the symbol of the four directions. Remarking on her extraordinary beauty, the first brother said that he would like to lay with her in the grass. "Put aside such thoughts," said the second brother. "This woman is sacred, perhaps a vision, but certainly not one to be approached in a way that is not respectful." But as he spoke, the woman walked past him into the arms of his brother and said, "Come to me -you shall have what you desire."