Don Juan and the Art of Sexual Energy: The Rainbow ... (ISBN 1879181630)

Amazon.com Review:
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

Don't waste your money:
This book was an utter waste of money and time, that is unless you enjoy writing that is both wordy and obtuse. It clarifies nothing, and you have to suspend an enormous amount of disbelief to not only digest what she is saying, but also to practice the exercises she suggests. This seems more like a novel about female empowerment than anything else. She has some nerve using Don Juan's name, as a feeble effort in name dropping to show she has some connection to the fantastic Castaneda series. Bottom line = this book is utter garbage and offers nothing to the reader except a headache

This book empowers women:
I found this book to be greatly empowering for women. Reading it was like finding an oasis in the mists of life in a very male dominated culture. It was refreshing to read about sexuality in terms that weren't specifically about sex but rather about how to use your sexual energy for positive things in your life. Too often a woman's sexuality is used in a negative way such as solely to please men. The author, Merilyn, discusses very concrete ways to enhance your sexual energy and channel it toward the positive. It should also be noted that while the book has a very feminine slant it also has tips for men as well and she talks about balancing the male and female sexual energy that both men and women have. She mentions that many men have lost their feminine energy and many women have lost their masculine energy and she discusses ways to get back in balance. It is a beautifully written book with many humorous stories intertwined within it. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an open mind and a willingness to explore their sensuality.

Rejuvenating and Empowering Sexual Practice:
Yes, I liked this book. I particularly appreciate that after each chapter there is an explanation of appropriate exercises for practice. As I was reading this book, the sexual exercises in this book have very much reminded me of the Taoist Practices which I have been doing for years and those who are interested in more in-depth explanation than could fit into this book, may be interested to check out books (Healing Love Through Tao: Cultivating Female Sexual Energy and Taoist Secrets of Love: Cultivating Male Sexual Energy) and videos (Healing Love: Taoist Sexual Energy Cultivation) by Mantak Chia.

Genuine Book with Meaty Content:
First and foremost, yes she uses many names from the Castaneda series and some termonology. I have read on websites about her claims against Castaneda. I am not sure what to make of it. The characters are very inconsistent with the characters from the Castaneda series. Yet I have to point out that when one stalks and is inaccessible. Each person that encounters them could indeed see a completely different personality. If Don Juan Matus is an open book and concrete in behavior then that is incredibly accessible. A Man of Knowledge doesn't aim to shroud himself in mystery. By being inaccessible this happens on its own. I myself do believe Castaneda became incredibly unbalanced in his latter years. In the book he seems more like an educated idiot, a mouthpeice for Don Juan rather than the next Nagual. This book's content, besides who the words actually came from, is extremely real and valuable. Nothing in it is fluff bunny if the reader knows what they are reading. Although it comes across as a novice book, it is not. She talks about the true mechanics of dreaming and the double. Her energy is very balanced. She does not try to make herself look 'gifted'. She is exceptional for the simple fact she accepts and is smart about it. The book does cover alot about sexual energy. I learned more from the dreaming topics. It has helped me drastically with dreaming. I have even developed a Not Doing to blur the barrier between dreaming and the waking. I suggest this book and her two other books. They are great followups to Castaneda. Look over the oddness of her using names. I am not sure why she did it. The fact is what content is in the book despite who did or didn't say it. That is mundane political soap opera.

Excellent methods for developing your Double:
This book elucidates esoteric shamanic pretexts and methods for developing your double. This book sheds light on the potential of the use of sexual energy and provides examples of potential pitfalls. I highly recomend this book. Deep, entertaining and very life transforming!!!