In this book, Louis Roy criticizes two different attitudes concerning our desires: either we are wary of our desires because of their potentially negative effects, or we try to satisfy as many of them as we can. Both attitudes focus on desires without examining the issue of desire. The solution is neither to suspect nor to multiply our various desires, but rather to intensify desire. Once desire has intensified, we can accept our desires and identify some of them as priorities for us to fulfill. We will then proceed not only with motivation but also with detachment, and therein lies the key to happiness. Any human being wishes to be granted personal value as a unique individual worthy of respect. And we long to be desired by the person or persons we desire. Moreover, because of our infinitude, we are able to wonder if an infinite being, whom we respect without reserve, can find us desirable. The author explores this basic concern and describes the relationship of mutual desire between Jesus and his first disciples. Thus, this book will appeal to educated readers interested in spirituality, psychology, literature, catechesis, and pastoral ministry.

Sexual issues are incredibly common - yet very poorly understood. Women complain of low desire. Men lose their erections. Or they prefer to stay at home and masturbate to their favorite porn. Couples quietly suffer in sexless marriages for innumerable years. They only talk in hushed voices about their humdrum, tedious sexual routines. People who are deeply in love and attracted to each other are baffled as to why their sex lives aren't thriving. Sex therapists, doctors, and other experts each present their own separate solutions to these issues. Yet they largely focus on technique and one-size-fits-all approaches - never getting to the heart of what people are really looking for in their unique sexual connections. Renowned sex and relationship coaches Danielle Harel Ph.D. and Celeste Hirschman M.A have worked with thousands of people over the past 15 years, helping them thrive in their sexual lives. As the creators of the Somatica Method - a boldly interpersonal, experiential framework practice - their approach challenges the one-size-fits-all solutions of other therapy methods. In their new book "Coming Together", they walk you down the path of finding your unique needs, and through that, enhance your compatibility with your partner. Fast-paced, full of real-life examples, inspiring and educational, this book invites you to discover and accept who you are as a sexual person. Best of all - you get the tools to teach your partner what you want to feel from sex, as well as what you want to do during sex. Take the leap and start your intimate journey to the profound sexual connection you've always dreamed of today. Through this book you will: Find out what makes sex hot - it's not what you think Learn how hot sex can cure men's, women's and couple's top sexual dysfunctions (including ED, low desire, sexless marriage, and porn dependence) Share your desires with your partner in a way that will increase intimacy without pressure Celebrate each other's desires as a way to increase intimacy Gain tools for teaching partners how to really turn you on Increase compatibility through bridging and/or turn-taking

Subtitle in pre-publication: Reclaim your body, consume what you crave, get the life & sex you deserve.

“A masterpiece. . . . It teaches us how not to fear and repress, but to rechannel and harness the most powerful energies of life toward freedom and bliss.” —ROBERT THURMAN It is common in both Buddhism and Freudian psychoanalysis to treat desire as if it is the root of all suffering and problems, but psychiatrist Mark Epstein believes this to be a grave misunderstanding.In his controversial defense of desire, he makes clear that it is the key to deepening intimacy with ourselves, each other, and our world. Proposing that spiritual attainment does not have to be detached from intimacy or eroticism, Open to Desire begins with an exploration of the state of dissatisfaction that causes us to cling to irrational habits. Dr. Epstein helps readers overcome their own fears of desire so that they can more readily bridge the gap between self and other, cope with feelings of incompletion, and get past the perception of others as objects. Freed from clinging and shame, desire’s spiritual potential can then be opened up.

God, Sexuality and the Self is a new venture in systematic theology. Sarah Coakley invites the reader to re-conceive the relation of sexual desire and the desire for God and - through the lens of prayer practice - to chart the intrinsic connection of this relation to a theology of the Trinity. The goal is to integrate the demanding ascetical undertaking of prayer with the recovery of lost and neglected materials from the tradition and thus to reanimate doctrinal reflection both imaginatively and spiritually. What emerges is a vision of human longing for the triune God which is both edgy and compelling: Coakley's théologie totale questions standard shibboleths on 'sexuality' and 'gender' and thereby suggests a way beyond current destructive impasses in the churches. The book is clearly and accessibly written and will be of great interest to all scholars and students of theology.

In 2010, Nathan Albert stood with his friends along the Chicago Pride Parade route, bearing signs of apology on behalf of Christians who had failed to represent Christ's love to the LGBT community. Little did he know that millions around the world would soon see him captured in an iconic photograph, hugging a man in his underwear.

"As my wedding was rapidly approaching, I discovered I had no idea how to write meaningful marriage vows. I wanted vows that would reflect my personal journey to partnering with my beloved – and nothing seemed to fit. Traditional vows fell flat. Suggested alternatives sounded beautiful but felt inauthentic. Then, just days before the ceremony, I received three vows in a dream that changed everything." In her unique conversational style, Sheryll Reichwein shares how The First Vow – "To Love Yourself Fully" can transform your romantic relationship - and your life..Through anecdotes from her personal story as well as evidence-based content and how-to suggestions, Sheryll walks you through the process of deepening your relationship with yourself. Says Sheryll, "The First Vow - That's the vow I still struggle to live up to because learning to Love Yourself is not a one and done lesson. Learning to Love Yourself is all about your ongoing relationship to yourself – and to your partner – and to Love itself." Sheryll Reichwein, M.A., has devoted her career to helping others learn how to grow their personal and professional success and well-being. For more than three decades, she has been an Adjunct Professor of Communication at Cape Cod Community College and, more recently, as a Subject Matter Expert for noted academic publishers. In addition, Sheryll has an extensive background in mind-body wellness. A certified hypnotherapist and Feng Shui consultant, she is the co-author of “50 Ways to Create a Harmonious Home” and co-author, with her husband, Douglas Reichwein, of “Au Coeur: Why Beauty Matters Now.” Sheryll & Douglas, a marriage and family therapist, are co-founders of Au Coeur Center. They combine their personal experience and professional expertise to help other couples create happy relationships through online courses, seminars, books, and consultations. Learn more at aucoeurcenter.com.

Winner of the 2014 Silver Independent Publisher Book Award in the relationship category and winner of the Spirituality and Practice Award as one of the best spiritual books of 2013! The search for inner peace is often met with what seems like a conflicting path– the irresistible pull of love and connection with others to which we are drawn. Reconciling these opposites, John Amodeo shows how spirituality and vibrant relationships are identical. He says that Buddha’s concept of the root of suffering is misunderstood. It is not desire that causes suffering; desire is the fire that springs from the basic life force. Drawing upon the science of attachment theory, Amodeo illuminates how the root of our suffering is disconnection from ourselves and others, which is fueled by clinging to what doesn't serve us In a conversational tone, Amodeo presents relationship as sacred experience. He teaches how to welcome desire mindfully rather than suppress it and how to overcome fear of failure in relating. He also discusses meditation as self-intimacy and holding ourselves with loving-kindness. Lastly, he explores the role of community in spiritual awakening and the issue of whom to trust—our guru or ourselves?

Embracing Age reveals that aging is not only a biological process, but is also shaped by what the process of growing older means to us. By examining Catholic nuns, a group that experiences positive health outcomes in older age, Anna I. Corwin reveals the connections between culture, language, and the experience of aging.