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Aphrodite's Daughters : Women's Sexual Stories and the Journey of the Soul

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Aphrodite's Daughters : Women's Sexual Stories and the Journey of the Soul

by Jalaja Bonheim (Goodreads Author)

4.02 · rating details · 62 ratings · 19 reviews

A Simon & Schuster eBook

Paperback, 400 pages

Published June 4th 1997 by Fireside

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Mar 29, 2010

Jean Roberta rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
The author of this book, who felt called to travel to India to learn ancient temple dances and then return to the United States to share what she had learned, explains why she did the research which led to this book:

“My interest in women’s sexual journeys is based on my belief that sex is an inherently sacred and soulful force, and that if we look carefully, with an open mind, we will find that our sexual stories yield rich spiritual nourishment. Women have always found sacred...more

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Nov 22, 2009

Lia rated it

Shelves: female-mysteries, healing, sexuality

I wanted this book to be wonderful. I really wanted to see how sexuality and spirituality can be interconnected in a way that heals and grows the soul. Through the first half of the book I kept hoping, reaching, trying really, really hard to get the most out of this book.

I don't doubt the author's sincerity. It comes across in every page of the book. However, what is very much missing from this book is how non-dramatic sexuality connects to spirituality. Story after story by all thes...moreI wanted this book to be wonderful. I really wanted to see how sexuality and spirituality can be interconnected in a way that heals and grows the soul. Through the first half of the book I kept hoping, reaching, trying really, really hard to get the most out of this book.

I don't doubt the author's sincerity. It comes across in every page of the book. However, what is very much missing from this book is how non-dramatic sexuality connects to spirituality. Story after story by all these different women ended up focusing on these ecstatic, mystical, visionary, massive energy-connecting-to-the-divine experiences that were from situations I couldn't relate to.

She had stories of spiritual awakening from a woman who committed adultery, a woman who had sex at age 12 (with an 18 year-old male) on top of a haystack and then continued to have sex with him for the next few years, a woman who was a nun and had a lesbian relationship with a layperson, a woman who lived in an "open marriage" where she and her husband had as many lovers as they wanted and were never jealous of each other, and so on.

Story after story, but not a single one which represented a committed, faithful, monogamous relationship where the woman and her partner grew together with trust and loyalty. The stories of married women who stayed in their marriages still included all kinds of affairs and other third parties (one woman whose husband wanted her to have sex with a woman so she could appreciate herself more).

So, here are all these stories, stories from real women, and none of them were anything like me. Even the ones that could have been more like me weren't. All of them seemed way "out there."

There seems to be a heavy bias in this book toward experimental, tantric, out-of-body, boundary-pushing sexuality. No matter what the story, the author's telling of it is sure to involve the woman finding some kind of fantastical mystical experience. Every story.

It made it hard to believe that this book could actually represent real women, normal women, women who live their lives in a grounded or ordinary fashion. Rather, it seemed like the slice that this book represents are women who are involved in Western versions of Eastern religions and philosophies, who are seeking for some kind of huge and dramatic connection to the universe.

So how does this book relate to me? I am a woman seeking for sexual healing, who does indeed believe that sexuality and spirituality are connected, and who lives her life committed to her marriage, to truth, to a grounded way of life, and who believes that things do not have to be dramatic in order to be powerful or meaningful or live-changing. Truthfully, I'm not sure how this book relates to me. It did give me some interesting ideas to mull around, but it didn't inspire me or help me forward in my journey.

It was too heavy-handed in telling me what my sexual-spiritual connection should look like or feel like. It was too determined to go everywhere but where I was.(less)

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Nov 28, 2010

Susan rated it

Shelves: book-club

This is one of those books, which I think, would have benefited greatly from editing. It is too long and it has no central focus, which is ok, but makes for tedious reading and the tedious factor takes away from the important message. This is a powerful book. This book, I think accurately captures the struggle women have in our sex negative culture. This book is not afraid to stare the Christian patriarchy in the face and hold it accountable.

I tend to like books which are a collection ...more

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Sep 12, 2007

August rated it

Recommends it for: Everyone

I have been reading followers of Carl Jung who dive into women's dreams, sexuality, and the significance of the archetypes found there. What often happens in heavy psychology is that stories and dreams are scanned with such detail that it becomes difficult to hold on to a bird's eye view of the larger picture.

Aphrodite's Daughters has enough soul food in its stories about the deep bonds of sexuality and spirituality and the experiences of women throughout their lives to feel drunk o...moreI have been reading followers of Carl Jung who dive into women's dreams, sexuality, and the significance of the archetypes found there. What often happens in heavy psychology is that stories and dreams are scanned with such detail that it becomes difficult to hold on to a bird's eye view of the larger picture.

Aphrodite's Daughters has enough soul food in its stories about the deep bonds of sexuality and spirituality and the experiences of women throughout their lives to feel drunk on. In contrast to Jungian analysts, this book is like a pouring forth of stories without tearing them apart again. I thought the book would be interesting; I ended up doing nothing but eating, sleeping, working, and reading this book.

The stories themselves are chapters. Some women have been abused in their early lives in some form or another. Rather than becoming victims of their lives, they have found peace, embraced their maturity and who they prefer to be as people rather than what society assumed they were when they were victims. Some of the women had hugely romantic and ideal lives when they were young, only to face more difficult times later on. The stories flow from early 20s straight through menopause. They talk in great detail of passionate sex, of infidelity, of the strength of love, of making love (literally) with God, and what God is from the perspective of these incredible women.

This is by far one of the best books I have ever read about relationships between women and men. The author interviews some women who have been married for over 50 years. Some of the women are in their 80s opening up details of their own sexuality throughout their entire life: how it changed, and how at 80, they are still extremely sexual spritual beings. This book shattered many of my assumptions and made me feel strong as my own person at the same time. I thought of my own stories, and stories to be... I'm not afraid of growing old now. I'm not afraid of menopause or any of the decisions I have made in my life. This book is about both men and women healing themselves through eachother. Very mature, no presumptions. This book is life-changing.
(less)

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May 18, 2010

Kay Baird rated it

see my LiveJournal Review

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Sep 11, 2008

Jewl rated it

This book helped me with my own issues, sometimes a little too feminist for my taste, but lots of insights throughout. The book tells the sexual stories of several different women of all ages. It is about reclaiming female sexuality for the most part. I am still wrapping my head around sexuality not being a genital act but a spiritual one. It's an interesting concept to me. The book left me with a lot to think about, but I wouldn't say it was earth-shattering.

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Jun 07, 2008

Jessica rated it

Shelves: beyond-brilliant, why-women-are-the-stronger-sex

This is my second reading of this book, and will most certainly not be the last. A brilliant and passionate compilation of true stories of the lives of several women who have discovered and rediscovered their sexual selves and are working with their deep longings for connection with their gods and goddesses through a commitment to loving their partners, lovers, mothers, children, families, and themselves. Most highly recommended.

like 1 like

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Jul 06, 2010

Christine Jackson rated it

Amazing and insightful, an eye-opening selection.

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Jan 31, 2008

Christine added it

This is an important book I think, one that all women should read. It makes you understand yourself and other women , it is also important in the understanding of male sexuality.
This is not a sex book, this is about understanding ourselves as sexual beings .

like 1 like

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Aug 13, 2008

Lindsay rated it

Amazing book containing oral histories from women about their experience with sexuality as a healer. Author weaves in valuable stories and pieces of history to each chapter. I wish I could have known about this book 10 years ago!

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Nov 10, 2008

Trella rated it

another by Jalaja....captivating, rich, at times grotesque- all ways women experience their sacredness in this world. the stuff our deepest dreams (and some nightmares) are made of....

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Jul 29, 2008

Denise rated it

i liked reading ladies' stories, but the goddess stuff is a little much for me. i didn't think individual tales needed to be crammed into a jungian box. that's it.

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Aug 06, 2008

Kate rated it

This book was AWFUL! I was expecting something a bit racy and empowering but couldn't even get thru the first chapters.

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Dec 28, 2007

Asha rated it

so juicy and reminds me of how we are sacred beings. Glen gets a kick out of it too since it is steamy.;-)

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Jun 25, 2008

Eileen rated it

Wonderful stories of women's sexuality, all kinds of sexuality. A good primer for women.

like 1 like

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May 11, 2008

Mandy added it

I thought this was going to be juicier. It reads like a college textbook. Boo hoo.

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Jun 27, 2008

Sunda rated it

Some really touching stories from many different voices.

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Jun 29, 2008

Natalie rated it

This book reinforces the goddess in all of us!

like 1 like

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Jun 15, 2008

Karen wako rated it

I could relate with most of the stories

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Jan 12, 2012

Lisam marked it as to-read

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About Jalaja Bonheim

Jalaja is internationally known for her groundbreaking use of circle gatherings as a tool for empowering women, healing individuals and communities, and cultivating peace. For over 25 years, she has been leading circles, studying the dynamics of the circle, and developing a community of Circlework practitioners.

She is the founder and visionary director of the Institute for Circlework,...moreJalaja is internationally known for her groundbreaking use of circle gatherings as a tool for empowering women, healing individuals and communities, and cultivating peace. For over 25 years, she has been leading circles, studying the dynamics of the circle, and developing a community of Circlework practitioners.

She is the founder and visionary director of the Institute for Circlework, which serves as a hub to the growing community of Circlework practitioners around the world.

After spending her childhood in Austria and Germany, Jalaja studied classical temple dance in India before coming to the United States in 1982. She is the author of four books, which were inspired by her passion for integrating sexuality and spirituality, empowering women, and celebrating the feminine spirit.

Aphrodite's Daughters: Women's Sexual Stories and the Journey of the Soul is based on the stories of ordinary American women and explores the central role of sexuality in women's spiritual journey. Witty, wise, entertaining and compassionate, Aphrodite's Daughters quickly became an underground classic, and has changed the lives of thousands of women.

Jalaja's second great passion is peace. Growing up as a Jew in post-war Germany, the devastating impact of war led her on a life-long inquiry into the causes of human violence and the journey of healing and transformation.

Completely intimate with the spirit of the circle, she describes it as an archangel, and as an ally, guide, teacher and friend. She decodes its language for all of us, translates its messages of wholeness and homecoming, and explains its teachings. What she calls the spirit of the circle, others experience as a field of tremendous love and compassion, growth and learning, renewal and healing.

Jalaja has trained hundreds of Circlework leaders in America, Canada, and the Middle East, including ministers, teachers, social workers, psychotherapists, and corporate executives. She also serves as a consultant to groups and group leaders who want to create greater connection and intimacy between people, or need help in working through conflicts or other challenges. Since 2005, she has travelled regularly to Israel and Palestine, where she empowers Jewish and Palestinian women to serve as agents of peace and healing in their communities.(less)

More about Jalaja Bonheim...

Books by Jalaja Bonheim

The Hunger for Ecstasy: Fulfilling the Soul's Need for Passion and Intimacy

Goddess: A Celebration in Art and Literature

The Serpent and the Wave: A Guide to Movement Meditation

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