Sexual Secrets: The Alchemy of Ecstasy

396 Pages·1999·61.67 MB·English

by  Nik Douglas

K//KO0UGLAS p£A/A/YSU\rG£fl
Digitized by the Internet Archive
2012
in
http://www.archive.org/details/sexualsecretsalcOOdoug
In this rare and beautiful painting a Nepalese king
is depicted in the role ofVishnu, the Hindu Lord
ofPreservation and Ruler over the erotic
sentiment. His consort is shown as Lakshmi,
goddess ofprosperity and auspiciousness. This regal
couple are in seated union upon a high throne
supported by snow lions and elephants, a canopy
ofsnakes rears up to protect them. Beyond, a pale
full moon hangs in the dark night sky and
illuminates the garden. The painting is inscribed
Siddiii Narayan, meaning "The magical power of
Vishnu."
"A man should study the textbooks of love
without neglecting those devoted to religious and
social duty (Dharma) and the acquisition oj
wealth (Artha); a woman should study them
before she attains puberty, or, when married, at
her husband's discretion.
Women excel in all practical matters, and since
practice depends on theory, they should study the
textbooks on love." —
The Sage Vatsyayana
SEXUAL SECRETS
tenth anniversary edition
Ten years have passed since Sexual Secrets: The Alchemy of Fxslasy was completed and published (or the lir.i time. Currently
available in ten languages and more than twenty editions, it has been recognized as the classic sourcebook on '.<-.< and
mysticism.
With the crisis of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, the issue of commitment has taken on much yrain
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This exquisite Nepalese painting depicts a royal
couple in the Mounted Yantra posture ofthe
Moon Elixir Tantra. The mood is filled with
romance as the lovers unite under the moon and
stars. The combination oftextures and designs
contrasts beautifully with the colors and tones of
the composition and helps convey a sentiment of
sweetness and passion.
"Love that arises from l—ike-mindedness between
lovers is called spiritual if arises from the soul
and is the deepest love of al—l."
The Koka Shastra
relevance in today's culture. Our chapter on this topic is of particular importance, emphasizing the essential role of
responsibility in mature relationships. Men and women need to leam to trust each other again, to commit to a shared,
spiritual ideal in order to progress along the path of physical and spiritual evolution.
Sexual fantasy, as expressed through the media of books, art, video and film, has evolved remarkably little in recent
years. Western pornography is essentially boring, repetitive, ugly and quite pointless. Explicit descriptions or portrayals
of the sexual act still tend to be coarse and crude, with little "lovemaking" being conveyed. In contrast, Sexual Secrets
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promotes the Oriental view of eroticism as a healthy, uplifting and celebratory activity. look forward to a time
when Western cultures fully recognize the tremendous benefits of sexuality elevated to its true status.
It may seem that our book places a lot of emphasis on sexual positions, some of which are difficult. It should be
remembered that the ancient love treatises were compiled in societies in which sex was viewed as a high art form
This unusual Nepalese painting shows a noble
warrior making love to his consort on the terrace
ofa palace. They have united their bodies in a
Tantnc pose, their feet are joined and their hands
are placed on their knees to create a dosed
energy circuit between them. This posture is said
to have derived from the lovemaking of
butterflies.
'"What shall a man find }og, other than being
thoroughly familiarised in tfie principles, arts and
techniques of the Love-god<"—
The Koka Shastra
one of the greatest modes of human expression, reflecting the "sport of the gods." While complex sexual postures
are not necessary for the achievement ofmystic oneness, they can be useful aids for releasing and circulating subtle
energies between partners.
The accompanying full-color reproductions in this section of our tenth anniversary edition were selected from an
important series of larger-than-normal miniatures from Nepal. Painted in the 1830s with precious pigments and
minerals, in gouache on handmade bark paper, the miniatures are a Nepali derivation of the Indian Sirohi style of
Rajasthan, portraying various Oriental kings and personalities in erotic dalliance with their consorts and favorites. The
lovemaking of kings and powerful individuals was a popular subject of Indian artists, and such depictions were
traditionally deemed auspicious. It is with the same sentiment that these eight exquisite paintings are reproduced here
in all their glory.
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This Nepalese painting depicts Nadir Shah the
great Persian ruler who sacked Delhi and captured
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the Peacock Throne seated in union with a
beautiful woman whose hands and feet are red
with henna. Perhaps he is "conquering Delhi"
(symbolized by his Indian partner), since he sits on
the Peacock Throne and holds a sword in his right
hand. His consort seems to be an adept ofsexual
yoga, for she holds her legs with her hands in a
way designed to harness the outward flow of
sexual energy.
"The best means of stimulating one's manhood is
an exhilarating sexual partner in the wife. When
the desired sense-objects yield great pleasure even if
singly experienced by the senses, then what need be
said of the person of the woman in whom the
delectable objects of all the senses are found
established together. Such combination of the
delectable objects of all the senses is found only in
the person of the woman that evokes our pleasure
greatly. Hence it is that in her is the source of
progeny. \n her also are righteousn—ess, wealth,
auspiciousness and the two worlds this—and the
other." Kharata
Quite a number of people have written to tell us that our book has changed their lives. We are grateful to those
of you who have shared your experiences with us and to all who have put aside prejudices and found the time and
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energy to experience the alchemy of ecstasy. compiled this book for you especially, and it is our earnest desire
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that it will continue to touch the lives oflovers everywhere. Nik Douglas and Penny Slinger
"Shakti is victorious; it is She who delights Shiva.
She bears the seeds of all future generations. She is
the mirror of Shiva, His ob]—Utive form."
Kama-Kala-Vilasa
xXX
This sensitive Nepalese painting depicts the Persian ruler Muhammad Shah seated in union
upon a throne placed upon the terrace ofa palace A beautiful woman perches daintily
upon his massive thigh, smiling as she playfully fondles his chin with her hennaed
right hand. Despite the Shah's opulence, a sweet sentiment pervades, conveyed through
the charming use ofcolor, the flower gardens beyond, and the childlike sensuality ofhis
delightful consort.
Maharaja Rajdullah Bahadur is shown in this detail from a Nepalese painting. He is seen kneeling on a throne while uniting with a favorite
concubine and smoking a hookah. Together they are performing the Widely Open posture described in the Kama Sutra. The complementary
colors ofred and green and blue and orange provide a vibrant contrast to the white robes and pale complexions ofthe couple.
"At the first love-battle women commonly show
only moderate—passion and take a long time to
reach orgasm at the second they are more
passionate and come more q—uickly. In man. the
reverse is true." The Koka Shastra
"The chief reason for the separation between the married couple, and the cause which
drives the husband to the embraces of strange women and the wife to the arms of strange
men, is the want of varied pleasures and the monotony which follows possession.
The husband, by varying the enjoyment of his wife, mag live with her as with thirty-
two different women, ever varying the enjoyment of her, and render—ing satiety impossible."
The Ananga Ranga
This unusual Nepalese painting depicts a great Mongolian ruler reclining on a temple terrace while his beautiful consort makes love to him in
the Tantric posture known as Bee Buzzing over Man. Both wear Mongolian felt boots and exquisite ornaments, and the man rests on fine
cushions. To one side the entrance ofa temple is embellished with the sacred monogram known as Auspicious Seven, composed ofseed-syllables
OM
ofthe vital centers and elements, with a scepter motifand the sacred syllable overhead, inscribed in Tibetan characters.
"If husband and wife live together in close
agreement, as one soul in a single body, theu shall
be happy in this world, and in that to come.
Their good and charitable actions will be an
example to mankind, and their peace and harmony
will effect their salvation."—
The Ananga Ranga
This exquisite detail from a NepaJese painting depicts Badshah Jehangir and Begum Nur
Jahan seated in union upon the Peacock Throne which rests on the terrace ofa palace. As
these famous lovers unite their bodies in the Gaining-Restraining posture ofthe Ananga
Ranga, they look lovingly into each other's eyes. The rich colors and fine details give a
regal air to this magnificent composition.