Don Juan and the Art of Sexual Energy The Rainbow Serpent of the Toltecs by Merilyn Tunneshende Paperback 240 pages (March 15, 2001) Inner Traditions Intl Ltd ISBN: 1879181630 Bookshelf Categories Castaneda / Toltec

Synopsis:

From Amazon.com

A title such as Don Juan and the Art of Sexual Energy can be misleading. Those expecting a smooth manual that reads like a Joy to Toltec Sex will be sorely disappointed. On the other hand, those hoping for an ambitious discussion of the shape shifting, trances, energy scanning, and archetypal imagery that characterize Toltec sexuality will be deeply gratified. Like the famous writer Carlos Castaneda, who introduced Toltec teachings to the greater world, Merilyn Tunneshende often shifts into dream-like narratives. For example, in a passage where she discusses the sensual power of nature, Tunneshende recounts a trance under the guidance of her shaman and teacher. Lying beneath a mesquite tree, she has a vision that she is "moving through the interior of the plant, much like a whole egg moves through the body of a snake when swallowed." When she arrived at the base of the plant, "a trumpeting white flower sprouted from my head and my ovaries turned in on themselves...." Fortunately, the closing of every chapter is grounded with concise, easy-to-follow exercises, such as how to draw upon and release sexual energy in nature or how to perform "fire breath" to raise sexual energy in the body. --Gail Hudson

Reviews:

A valuable tool and enjoyable reading	11/10/2001
Reviewer: A reader from San Diego, CA United States
As a longtime student of Carlos Castaneda's books, I will always be grateful to him for introducing me to the possibilities of a different perception. However, Merilyn's book fills in many of the gaps missing from Carlos' teachings. I had a profound near death experience before ever hearing about Castaneda, an explanation for which I have been seeking for years for in his books, and failed to find. Merilyn was able to address it. The writing may appear deceptively simple, but in her preface, she states that it is written for "big children", as we are children when it comes to the potential of our sexual energy. I found this book to be fulfilling and thoroughly worthwhile reading. My deepest thanks to you, Merilyn.

Pathetic and not worth the money	9/27/2001
Reviewer: Brigitta from Santa Barbara, CA USA
This author was totally unbelievable to me. Her descriptions of interactions with 'Don Juan' were inconsistent with all other writings in this area. For instance, Don Juan and Castenada, along with the witches of both generations, never talked while they ate. She describes numerous meals with long conversations. She also describes her 'teachers' patting her on the head on several occasions, while those same teachers repeatedly said that the top of the head is an opening in the energy body and one should not let another touch there. These are minor examples that represent major credibility problems. Her exercises were pathetic. She recommends recapitulating by writing things down - very contrary to all other teachings about this important tool. Her understanding of sexual energy had no measure of 'art' or skill to it and was glossed over as 'you had to be there to understand it so I won't even talk about it.' Her descriptions of the serpent energy and her experiences with it was shallow and did not convince me she knew what she was talking about. I'm sorry I bought it and wish I could get my money back.

Typical new age fare	9/22/2001
Reviewer: david from Las Vegas, Nevada United States
Merilyn Tunneshende reminds me of Ken Eagle (Ego) Feather. They are both general new age writers capitalizing on Castanada's writings. She is just another writer of typical new age love & light claiming to have been a student of Don Juan..I wonder if she met Eagle Feather also??? Anyhow, nothing really exciting in the book, that hasnt been said in hundreds of other books.

The Plummed Serpent	9/11/2001
Reviewer: A reader from Paso Robles, CA. United States
This book is not for the novice or those who are not already warriors on the Toltec path. To be a warrior one has to have stored personal power and moved and even shifted their assemblage point. If one isn't already proficient in stalking and dreaming then they are not serious enough to handle let alone impliment the practices in this book. Sexual energy is another form of empowerment for the impeccable warrior. This book really opens up don Juans teachings for the serious warriors.

Toltec Expansion/Companion Texts	7/18/2001
Reviewer: Eric from Trenton, NJ United States
Tunneshende is a name I'm not familiar with but I've studied Toltec Sorcery for some time. This book is a valid study of the sexual energies and how the relate to perception, however, I believe this woman to be making up her affiliation with don Genaro and don Juan. Writters expanding on the works of toltec energetics often have some useful and insightful information but it is hard to take them seriously when they're making stories up about nagual guides. A decent book on this yet to be covered topic - the stories are even good (even if she did make them up). The book is a little more "New-Agey" than Castaneda's work.