Winner of a third-place award in the morality, ethics, Christology, Mariology, and redemption category from the Catholic Media Association. Are sexuality and spirituality opposed to each other? To anyone who has struggled to align their sexual desires with the call to be holy these might seem in opposition, but they don’t have to be. Sex and the Spiritual Life will help you understand that you can experience fulfillment through sexual integrity—a way of life that affirms the presence of God and the sacred in our sexual feelings and expressions. You’ll hear from a selection of Catholic men and women—married, clergy, religious, and single—whose stories will inspire and equip you to reclaim the joy and wholeness of sexual integrity. Addressing sexuality across a wide range of vocations, challenges, and experiences, each of the contributors to Sex and the Spiritual Life reflects upon living out the Church’s teachings about human sexuality with integrity as a means to achieving spiritual maturity. All those who want to experience the benefits of sexual integrity will be inspired by their witness, and benefit from their practical advice. Contributors include Patricia Cooney Hathaway; Timothy P. O’Malley; Deacon James Keating; Susan Muto; Eve Tushnet; Fr. John Riccardo; and Sr. Sarah Fairbanks, O.P.; as well as clinical specialists in addictions and marriage and family life. In this groundbreaking book, you will find insights into the following topics: the relationship between sexual integrity and spiritual growth how the wounds of sexual abuse and addiction can be healed the link between sexual and spiritual intimacy in marriage how young adults can receive the formation they need to discover their vocations, navigate the complexities of being single, and live in community how spiritual friendship informs faithful living within the homosexual community the role of sexual desire in the lives of clergy and religious This is a much-needed book for thoughtful Catholics to help them reclaim sexuality as a positive, joyful component of the human experience and to present a path of healing and hope for those who need to chart a new course.

IT'S NOT JUST SEX. IT'S NOT JUST LOVE. IT'S SOMETHING MORE.... But what could be better than sex? How about lovemaking that sweeps people into new realities, producing altered states of consciousness a thousand times more powerful than the most earth-shattering orgasm? Lovemaking so spectacular that it truly is a religious experience? Transcendent Sex is not about the "Tantric method." It is about the best-kept secret in human history: that ordinary people, with no special training, can find themselves in different spiritual realms when making love -- an experience so profound that nothing will ever be the same. It is about sex that triggers episodes identical to the highest spiritual states -- as described in the annals of shamanism, yoga, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam -- including visions, channeling, reliving past lives, transcending the laws of physics, and seeing the face of God. This revealing book tells of lovers who engaged in sex as usual and suddenly found the veil between the worlds torn open. Transcendent Sex, like any other spiritual awakening, changes lives. Atheists have become believers; long-standing psychological wounds have been healed; and the sexually abused have become whole. These are the inspiring, incredible true stories of people who experienced an ecstasy and fulfillment beyond the borders of this world.

A discussion of the purpose that sex and sexual relationships play in connection to spirituality and spiritual progress. Sex itself can be used for spiritual and creative purposes, or destructive and selfish purposes. Sexual relationships are beneficial for knowing oneself and cultivating unconditional love. The union of sexual partners in sexual pleasure is the precursor to the permanent bliss which is established by the ultimate union between an individual and the Creator.

Explores the reasons why sexual transgressions between spiritual teachers and student occur, when this type of relationship becomes a problem, and how to avoid it from happening.

The Bible has a way of shocking us. If Americans could still blush, we might blush at the words, "Rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love" (Proverbs 5:18-19). But, of course, sin always tries to trash God's gifts. So we can't just celebrate sex for what God made it to be; we have to fight what sin turned it into. The contributors to this unique volume encourage you to do both: celebrate and struggle. This book has something for all-men and women, married and single-from contributors like John Piper, C. J. and Carolyn Mahaney, Mark Dever, Al Mohler, Carolyn McCulley, and others.

Learn to use lovemaking to heal your spirit, grow your relationships, and open yourself to greater authenticity. Spiritual lovemaking is all about aligning the physical and non-physical aspects of your being, creating a deeper connection with your own spirit—and with your partner. Relax into mindfulness and experience the pleasure of sexual energy and profound ecstasy. Join Jody Baron and Peter Beamish as they leave behind the esoteric language of Tantra and guide you into the practice of spiritual lovemaking in their unique, down-to-earth style. With humor and compassion, the authors share stories of their journey and show you the nine simple keys to unlocking the rejuvenating power of sexual energy.

Nothing has exposed the gap between the church and the broader society quite like the volatile topics of sexuality, relationships, identities, orientations and even gender. With a pastor's heart and a missiologist's mind, Debra Hirsch helps us discover a holistic, biblical vision of sex and gender that honors God and offers good news to the world.