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Published by Destiny Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
Explores how Nature underlies sexuality and intimacy
• Examines how to regain intimacy in our relationships in a way that embraces our hidden wild nature and restores the sacred to our lives
• Provides sacred sex and intimacy-building practices for partners and exercises to reconnect with the intuitive intelligence of the heart, remove our emotional armor, and cultivate a deeper relationship with the Earth
• Shows how by healing our relationship with Nature and our sexuality, we move toward healing the whole planet
Nature is having sex all the time--that’s one of the reasons we feel so alive when we are immersed in it. Sexuality is essential to the sensation of Nature in your own body, of connecting to the piece of Earth closest to you--your own flesh and bones. Many a couple has been overcome by passion while walking in the woods or on the beach; many a soul has found solace or epiphany in Nature. Living in accordance with Nature depends on you being your true, whole self--a sexual, sensual, erotic, fully alive human being.
Exploring the territory of intimacy, sacred sex, and emotional healing as a journey to wholeness, Julie McIntyre examines the sacred relationship between sexuality and the Earth and reveals how to create deep, lasting intimacy with your lover by recapturing the wild, spontaneous, natural sexuality that is your birthright. Detailing the process of moving from your head to the secret garden of your heart, she provides exercises to heal your psyche of old emotional trauma, reconnect with the intuitive intelligence of the heart, and cultivate a deeper relationship with the Earth in order to trust yourself and become vulnerable and open with your lover and thus truly intimate. She shows how there is a direct relationship between our beliefs and values about sex and intimacy and our beliefs and values about the environment and the Earth. She reveals how, by healing our separation from Nature and our sexuality, we can bring the sacred back into our lives, shape our own ecstatic sexual experiences, and move toward healing the whole planet.
• Examines how to regain intimacy in our relationships in a way that embraces our hidden wild nature and restores the sacred to our lives
• Provides sacred sex and intimacy-building practices for partners and exercises to reconnect with the intuitive intelligence of the heart, remove our emotional armor, and cultivate a deeper relationship with the Earth
• Shows how by healing our relationship with Nature and our sexuality, we move toward healing the whole planet
Nature is having sex all the time--that’s one of the reasons we feel so alive when we are immersed in it. Sexuality is essential to the sensation of Nature in your own body, of connecting to the piece of Earth closest to you--your own flesh and bones. Many a couple has been overcome by passion while walking in the woods or on the beach; many a soul has found solace or epiphany in Nature. Living in accordance with Nature depends on you being your true, whole self--a sexual, sensual, erotic, fully alive human being.
Exploring the territory of intimacy, sacred sex, and emotional healing as a journey to wholeness, Julie McIntyre examines the sacred relationship between sexuality and the Earth and reveals how to create deep, lasting intimacy with your lover by recapturing the wild, spontaneous, natural sexuality that is your birthright. Detailing the process of moving from your head to the secret garden of your heart, she provides exercises to heal your psyche of old emotional trauma, reconnect with the intuitive intelligence of the heart, and cultivate a deeper relationship with the Earth in order to trust yourself and become vulnerable and open with your lover and thus truly intimate. She shows how there is a direct relationship between our beliefs and values about sex and intimacy and our beliefs and values about the environment and the Earth. She reveals how, by healing our separation from Nature and our sexuality, we can bring the sacred back into our lives, shape our own ecstatic sexual experiences, and move toward healing the whole planet.
Excerpt
Chapter 6
Choosing another Way
The language of the body is the key that can unlock the soul.
--Konstantin Stanislavsky
Much of our current dysfunction, lassitude, and discomposure is the result of, and can be attributed to, the loss of our connection with nature, with old-growth forests, with wild streams and mountains. And it is the result of the loss of our connection with our own nature, our sexual nature, and our sensate, sensing, organ of perception--our body.
Edward O. Wilson warned us that “the more we take out of an ecosystem, the more unstable it becomes.” The more we take ourselves out of the ecosystem, distance ourselves from Nature, and from our own nature, the more unstable we, and our culture, become. If some part is cut off, or alienated from the whole, it is no longer whole. When our sexuality is cut off from the body of Earth sexuality we are unable to function as whole beings. And Earth is unable to function as a healthy organism because our relationship is dangerously out of balance. If we are going to live on Earth, then shall we be alive and live on Earth? As long as we live on Earth, we need to be whole; a complete, fully functioning whole. . . .
When we are in the depths of sacred sex and sexual loving we are in an ocean of senses, images, and meanings. These images and meanings are communications that flow between two lovers, between human beings and Earth. Because everything in nature gives off electromagnetic frequencies and nature is having sex all the time, the sexual energy of Earth is part of the sea of communications and meanings we live in every day.
Let’s begin to play and work with the heart field that each of us possesses.
EXERCISE
Heart Field Meditation
Get comfortable in a cozy chair, feet on the floor, and take some deep, relaxing breaths. Now, bring your awareness into the area of your heart. Let your breathing move into your heart, as if you are breathing through your heart. In the beginning, it may feel a little tingly in that area, which is a good indication that you’re there. If you don’t feel it the first time, don’t panic; just keep breathing through your heart. You’re using a new sensing awareness, one that has been dulled through a lifetime of atrophy. When you feel that you can hold your attention in your heart, stand up and notice how you feel. Do you feel more present, grounded in yourself? Notice that your peripheral vision is expanded, that is, as you look straight ahead, you can see things to your far left and far right. With practice you’ll be able to feel your awareness move into different parts of your body.
Take yourself for a walk outside and find a tree that captures your attention. Sit down beside it and take a few deep breaths, relaxing more fully with each one. Let your eyes become soft focused upon the tree you’ve chosen. Notice everything about it: its colors, shape, textures. Now, ask yourself, “How does it feel?” What’s the first thing that comes to you? Where do you feel it in your body? Are there any sensations that accompany the feeling, images, words? Sit with the feeling for a moment.
Stand up and walk away from the tree about 20 feet. It’s helpful to pull your shoulders back and hold your arms straight out at your sides. When you do this, you may feel vulnerable and exposed. You are, that’s why many of us become habituated to rounding our shoulders and slouching so we feel that our chests, our heart, we, are protected. It’s also a way to feel less noticeable. Pulling your shoulders back and up really opens up the heart and lungs and can release emotions we’ve held there. As you hold your shoulders back, with your heart open, slowly begin to walk toward the tree with your heart field extended. Pay particular attention to the moment your heart field and the “heart field” of the tree touch. This is nonphysical touching; touching with the invisible, nonphysical field of the heart. Pause there for a moment and notice how you feel to be touched this way. Continue on toward the tree, noting if the field grows in potency as you move closer to the tree.
Now, ask your (inner) child to come and sit with you. As you keep your eyes soft focused, ask your child to tell you everything about this tree. She is the one who has direct access to everything she comes in contact with and to the world trees live in. She knows how to talk with them. Notice as well any feelings or emotions in your body. How do you feel doing this?
Next, ask your (inner) infant to be with you and hold her in your arms or lap. Infants have no language, but they perceive the world directly. Notice everything your infant does. If you need to, ask your child if she would translate for you. Children often translate for preverbal infants; they understand that language. Whatever movements, faces, changes in color the infant makes are all communications to you about the tree.
It’s helpful to keep a journal of your experiences, your “readings.” Just when you think you’re not becoming more sensitive you can compare earlier entries and see how much keener your perceptions are becoming.
You can do this with anything, but trees are so generous, have potent energy fields, and love to play this way. You may find if you do this with trees of various ages, saplings to very old trees, and of different species, that each has a very different feeling to it. Everything in nature has its own intelligence, sexuality, and personality, and they move through ego states just as human beings do. Some trees are sexier than others, just like humans.
Choosing another Way
The language of the body is the key that can unlock the soul.
--Konstantin Stanislavsky
Much of our current dysfunction, lassitude, and discomposure is the result of, and can be attributed to, the loss of our connection with nature, with old-growth forests, with wild streams and mountains. And it is the result of the loss of our connection with our own nature, our sexual nature, and our sensate, sensing, organ of perception--our body.
Edward O. Wilson warned us that “the more we take out of an ecosystem, the more unstable it becomes.” The more we take ourselves out of the ecosystem, distance ourselves from Nature, and from our own nature, the more unstable we, and our culture, become. If some part is cut off, or alienated from the whole, it is no longer whole. When our sexuality is cut off from the body of Earth sexuality we are unable to function as whole beings. And Earth is unable to function as a healthy organism because our relationship is dangerously out of balance. If we are going to live on Earth, then shall we be alive and live on Earth? As long as we live on Earth, we need to be whole; a complete, fully functioning whole. . . .
When we are in the depths of sacred sex and sexual loving we are in an ocean of senses, images, and meanings. These images and meanings are communications that flow between two lovers, between human beings and Earth. Because everything in nature gives off electromagnetic frequencies and nature is having sex all the time, the sexual energy of Earth is part of the sea of communications and meanings we live in every day.
Let’s begin to play and work with the heart field that each of us possesses.
EXERCISE
Heart Field Meditation
Get comfortable in a cozy chair, feet on the floor, and take some deep, relaxing breaths. Now, bring your awareness into the area of your heart. Let your breathing move into your heart, as if you are breathing through your heart. In the beginning, it may feel a little tingly in that area, which is a good indication that you’re there. If you don’t feel it the first time, don’t panic; just keep breathing through your heart. You’re using a new sensing awareness, one that has been dulled through a lifetime of atrophy. When you feel that you can hold your attention in your heart, stand up and notice how you feel. Do you feel more present, grounded in yourself? Notice that your peripheral vision is expanded, that is, as you look straight ahead, you can see things to your far left and far right. With practice you’ll be able to feel your awareness move into different parts of your body.
Take yourself for a walk outside and find a tree that captures your attention. Sit down beside it and take a few deep breaths, relaxing more fully with each one. Let your eyes become soft focused upon the tree you’ve chosen. Notice everything about it: its colors, shape, textures. Now, ask yourself, “How does it feel?” What’s the first thing that comes to you? Where do you feel it in your body? Are there any sensations that accompany the feeling, images, words? Sit with the feeling for a moment.
Stand up and walk away from the tree about 20 feet. It’s helpful to pull your shoulders back and hold your arms straight out at your sides. When you do this, you may feel vulnerable and exposed. You are, that’s why many of us become habituated to rounding our shoulders and slouching so we feel that our chests, our heart, we, are protected. It’s also a way to feel less noticeable. Pulling your shoulders back and up really opens up the heart and lungs and can release emotions we’ve held there. As you hold your shoulders back, with your heart open, slowly begin to walk toward the tree with your heart field extended. Pay particular attention to the moment your heart field and the “heart field” of the tree touch. This is nonphysical touching; touching with the invisible, nonphysical field of the heart. Pause there for a moment and notice how you feel to be touched this way. Continue on toward the tree, noting if the field grows in potency as you move closer to the tree.
Now, ask your (inner) child to come and sit with you. As you keep your eyes soft focused, ask your child to tell you everything about this tree. She is the one who has direct access to everything she comes in contact with and to the world trees live in. She knows how to talk with them. Notice as well any feelings or emotions in your body. How do you feel doing this?
Next, ask your (inner) infant to be with you and hold her in your arms or lap. Infants have no language, but they perceive the world directly. Notice everything your infant does. If you need to, ask your child if she would translate for you. Children often translate for preverbal infants; they understand that language. Whatever movements, faces, changes in color the infant makes are all communications to you about the tree.
It’s helpful to keep a journal of your experiences, your “readings.” Just when you think you’re not becoming more sensitive you can compare earlier entries and see how much keener your perceptions are becoming.
You can do this with anything, but trees are so generous, have potent energy fields, and love to play this way. You may find if you do this with trees of various ages, saplings to very old trees, and of different species, that each has a very different feeling to it. Everything in nature has its own intelligence, sexuality, and personality, and they move through ego states just as human beings do. Some trees are sexier than others, just like humans.
Product Details
- Publisher: Destiny Books (April 26, 2012)
- Length: 352 pages
- ISBN13: 9781594773976
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Raves and Reviews
“Beautifully written and poignantly honest Sex and the Intelligence of the Heart explores Julie McIntyre’s quest to recover her own healthy sexuality. On that journey she makes a surprising discovery: her own healthy sexuality is inextricably interwoven with the health of the Earth itself. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
– Stephen Harrod Buhner, author of Secret Teachings of Plants and Ensouling Language
“A beautifully written and honest book about exploring the depths of sensuality and consciousness and how this awareness affects our lives, relationships, and the planet.”
– Brigitte Mars, author of The Sexual Herbal
“With unflinching honesty, Julie McIntyre beautifully delivers a critically important message for all of us on the path to self-realization: a rarified spirituality divorced from the human energies and impulses of the erotic simply doesn’t work. Ecstasy is our birthright, and the shaming of our bodies needs to stop now.”
– Will Johnson, author of Breathing Through the Whole Body and Rumi's Four Essential Practices
“Sex, Earth, and Spirit are one. Fearless sex, healed earth, healed soul: all one. The afflicted modern mind has forgotten this truth; contemporary sages merely glimpse it. McIntyre has done the profound work to reclaim and thoroughly live it. With this book, she has created a glorious bible with innumerable inroads to joy.”
– Aphrodite Pheonix, author of Are They Bad Girls or Brilliant?
“Not only is this book filled with information that I’ve never seen presented in any text I've read, Julie McIntyre’s poetical style of writing flows from a heart of passion that is felt throughout the well–written text. This book of healing the inner child created a longing within me to allow myself to be loved and vulnerable, to know open-hearted intimacy, and express divine love to all. This book is a keeper and a title that I will share with many others!”
– Yvonne Perry, July 2012
“If you’re brave enough to open it up and read through it, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that it’s a great way to re-assess your sexual self.”
– John Marani, Facing North, February 2013
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): Sex and the Intelligence of the Heart Trade Paperback 9781594773976
