Synopses & Reviews
A renowned, respected teacher and mentor to thousands, Sobonfu Somi is one of the first and foremost voices of African spirituality to come to the West. Somi was born in Dano, Burkina Faso, a remote West African village with a population of about two hundred people. Dano has preserved the old ways of African village life, with family structures, spiritual practices, and methods of living that have been in place for more than ten thousand years. In
The Spirit of Intimacy, Somi distills the ancient teachings and wisdom of her native village to give insight into the nature of intimate relationships.
Somi generously applies the subtle knowledge from her West African culture to this one. Simply and beautifully, she reveals the role of spirit in every marriage, friendship, relationship, and community. She shares ancient ways to make our intimate lives more fulfilling and secure and offers powerful insights into the "illusion of romance," divorce, and loss. Her important and fascinating lessons from the heart include the sacred meaning of pleasure, preparing a ritual space for intimacy, and the connection between sex and spirituality. Her ideas are intuitively persuasive, provocative, and healing--and supported by sound practical advice, along with specific rituals and ceremonies based on those used for thousands of years. With this book, the spiritual insights of indigenous Africa take their place alongside those of native America, ancient Europe, and Asia as important influences on Western readers.
Synopsis
Key Features And Benefits
- First book by one of the most prominent teachers of indigenous spirituality in the West
-Draws upon the ancient teachings of native Africa to give insights into the nature of intimate relationships. Explains the necessary foundation for healthy, lasting relationships: spirit, community and ritual.
- Explores indigenous ideas of love, sex, marriage, childbirth, relationship renewal and conflict, and applies their teachings to the modem world.
- Powerful insights into the nature of attraction, divorce and loss
- Presents specific rituals, and group and private ceremonies, to help nourish relationships.
-Suggestions for improving intimate life are based on seminars and workshops given by the author to thousands of students in the US and Western Europe.
- Explores such topics as how to find a partner, how to maintain healthy intimate relationships, and the meaning of conflict.
- Applies profound teachings of an indigenous people to a complex contemporary world.
- Offers specific rituals for intimate partners and the community which supports them.
- Discusses the nature and role of gay and lesbian sexuality.
About the Author
Sobonfu Somé, whose name means "keeper of ritual," was born and raised in Burkina Faso, the former Upper Volta. She is an initiated member of the Dagara tribe of West Africa. Sobonfu and her husband, Malidoma Somé, teach the ancient wisdom of their tribe throughout the world.