Jack Painter, PhD offering workshops in Atlanta and Cincinnati

Jack Painter is something of a legend in the area of somatic body work, tantra and somatic psychology. He pioneered massage in and around the genitals and anus in the 70’s. His work is much more complex and sophisticated than simple Sacred Spot massage. Quite a bit of current offerings in the tantra community are based in large part on his profound work. He is will be offering his Heart In Sexuality 5-Day Intensive in Atlanta August 31st through September 4th and again in Cincinnati September 6th through 10th for $995. Download the Atlanta flyer in PDF format. Download the Cincinnati flyer in PDF format. I interviewed him about why tantrikas are drawn to his work. Register, or read on:

Heart In Sexuality (previously Pelvic-Heart Integration) integrates deep tissue massage with breathwork, energy work, trauma release, Gestalt, and psychodrama. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn directly from Jack Painter, creator of this incredibly powerful work. The focus is on restoring the integrity of the natural flow of orgasmic energy between the heart and the genitals. Part of this process involves learning to recognize how we cut off this flow, how our gender identities support or undermine our sexual relationships, and how our past and current relationship patterns are linked to our sexual blocks. These things are not merely discussed, but are felt in every cell of the body as participants are supported to make major breakthroughs. The healing process even extends backward into time, as old family dynamics are transformed.

This Five Day training is slightly different each time, leading some people to repeat it more than once. Level 1 focuses more on learning the elements of a pelvic heart session and Level 2 focuses more on the developmental psychosexual life cycle, but there is some overlap. You do not have to take Level 1 before Level 2 if you have some relevant background. Both Levels begin with some playful warm up exercises which also teach about the energy meridians and the balancing of yin and yang. Both include the giving and receiving of a full HIS session and include work on untangling the ancestral lines of sexual/spiritual transmission.

Jack demonstrates, participants practice on each other, and then share about what they experienced. This cycle is repeated over and over throughout the training as building blocks for a Pelvic Heart Integration session are taught and practiced. The theory behind the work is introduced only after the work itself has been experienced.In both Level 1 and Level 2 you have an opportunity both to do your own work and to begin acquiring skills as a practitioner. You will learn:

• How your body holds both masculine and feminine energy and how to embrace both sides
• How to use the breath to access new levels of excitement with or without a partner
• How to identify characteristic patterns and blocks to the free flow of orgasmic energy and how these blocks relate to body and personality types
• How to identify the origin of these sexual blocks and how to release them on physical, energetic, and emotional levels
• How to free yourself from old, dysfunctional patterns and become a mature, self-validating individual
• How to use pelvic bodywork to release trauma and to increase orgasmic pleasure

This extraordinarily powerful five day training is designed for people who already have some background in tantra, sexual healing, psychotherapy, or bodywork and who are comfortable with nudity and group work. The pace is at once leisurely and breathtakingly fast. The group bonds quickly and creates a safe container where deep work is expertly guided.

Jack Painter, Ph.D. is one of those rare beings who is equally good at practicing and teaching his method of Heart In Sexuality (HIS). Prior to creating HIS, Jack developed a style of bodywork called Postural Integration (PI) which is now used by hundreds of practitioners worldwide. He is something of a living legend in the field of bodywork, and at the age of 71, he has spent a lifetime refining his art. Jack is now living in Italy so USA trainings are infrequent.

Predisposition for Polyamory

I think people come to polyamory (or run from it) for a variety of reasons, based partly on predisposition, partly on life experience and partly on conclusions drawn from experience.

Taking my own life as an example, I can take note of my predisposition. Looking back on my childhood, I can see that I engaged in erotic play with other little girls and boys in a state of sexual innocence. At the earliest stages I was predisposed to bisexuality. When I reached puberty I experienced molestation at the hands of my abusive stepfather, and this experience turned me off to men. Later, when the classic triangle of girlfriend and best friend happened, I felt horrible until all 3 of us went to bed together.

I draw the conclusion that I am polyamorous because I seek to re-create the experience of triads. I am less drawn by the notion of myself as a Casanova, and more drawn by the desire to experience intimacy with more than one person at a time.

In seeking a primary partner, I feel it is important to have compatible predispositions and the ability to draw a variety of conclusions from experiences. I have seen that often people stick to their conclusions whatever they may be, and this serves to narrow their possibilities for relationship. Some people may be predisposed to polyamory and run as I did for years, because I concluded it was a source of suffering. (Later I saw that the source of my suffering had much more to do with being untrue to myself.)

I have found that through Tantra and in particular, the use of non-judgmental witness consciousness has allowed me to become much clearer about this.

Comments? Post then here or at http://groups.google.com/group/hot-tantra?hl=en

Hot Tantra in Egypt

I don't think the Middle East is quite ready for Tantra yet, although Egypt seems like it would be the closest. The range of ancient and modern existing side by side is quite dramatic. Farmers wearing Galibeyas driving donkey carts laden with vegetables side-by-side with quasi-European yuppies in Mercedes' talking on cell phones.

The disparity is just as apparent in relationship styles. Quite a bit is the way I imagined it, where independent women are frowned upon, especially if they do not keep their head and shoulders covered. But then there is the sexy Euro-Egyptian connection. Young sophisticates come to Egypt to make their Euros go farther and to have a little fun in the sun. Of course the more worldly of the young Egyptian men love this state of affairs.

There are some that say that Tantra originated in Egypt and was originally called 'shetau sema' or 'sacred mysterious union.' However, it seems that an essential component needed for modern tantra is missing, and that is the recognition of the Goddess and with it, the empowerment of women.

Ever feel like your plans are a mistake?

Sometimes I feel like somehow in spite of the best of intentions, I have made precisely the inappropriate decisions. Over the years I have learned to recognize this as a pattern of self-deprecation. To grow entails risk and may bring discomfort. The mistake would be to turn back from my plan before it is realized.

I have found that sometimes precisely what is needed is to remain in my own personal discomfort and not to run away from it. I have found that if I can simply dwell in the discomfort and witness my thoughts and emotions, it is only a matter of time before the path to a new way of being is lit.

I found myself in New York, with less than a week before my trip to Egypt, and nowhere near enough funds for the trip. The plans I had made previously had fallen through. I was already networking, but these things don't always move forward as fast as I might like. I had a pile of web work to do for some of my regular clients, but sitting at a computer in a stressed state doesn't help matters.

I knew intellectually this was just a trick of the mind, but I still had a hard time shifting. So I started sharing how I felt with the people I was with. This proved to be my saving grace. I was able to break out of my cyclical thinking and get support. I feel better now. What I am taking away from the events of the day is:

• Witness my thoughts and emotions
• Communicate how I feel
• Remember to love myself
• Remember that sometimes it is better to quit acting like I have it all together

I know this stuff. I teach this stuff. But...sometimes the lesson is to put what I teach into practice. The funny thing is, that in moving through to the new space, people started showing up and scheduling with me, and the financial solutions became clear.

Namaste

The Hot Tantra Teachers Prepare for Egypt

Carolena arrived in New York City night before last and spent the night with her sister.

Yesterday was a serious work day for me, working with Jehan Kamal tweaking CD cover art for music to sell in Egypt. I had a pleasant excursion taking Serena down to arial class in the Village and meeting Carolena for lunch. We got up to speed with one another and I took Serena home. On the subway, we met a beautiful woman named Amanda and had a short conversation about natural health through nutrition, and then got off the train.

After working a little, I received a note from Carolena indicating that I really should come back to the Village for a Solstice Event put on by Sexy Spirits at Centerpoint Yoga Studios: http://www.sexyspirits.com/schedule.php

You'll never believe this...Amanda was there!

It was great. I got back in touch with people I hadn't seen since Baba Dez's Daka/Dakini Conference in Sedona, like Reid of Cuddle Party. I had several productive conversations with luminaries such as Caroline Muir and Dakinis like Oshun and Hadass, and I may be getting called for massage work.

Which reminds me, I have to update Tantric Arts Institute...

Here I am in New York again...

I have been working with Jehan Kamal prior to our trip to Egypt. Http://www.jehanarts.com

She is finalizing new CDs. I am also handing over administration of Belly Dance America: http://www.bellydanceamerica.com

Carolena will be arriving in a couple of days. We are already getting responses to our Hot Tantra website. http://www.hottantra.com

Whew! There are a lot of opportunities here.

My heart leapt

I skyped Mare and she answered. No physical presence tonight, but the soul contact with Mare made my evening sweet and complete. I am in awe of the power of Shakti.