The new "Joy of Sex"...a commentary

[Flowen]

? The Joy of Sex


I happened to hear an interview with the editor of the newly revised book Joy of Sex, first published in 1972. Tom Ashbrook from On Point is a talented talk show host who often picks fascinating topics and knowledgeable experts, however, I was moved to make the following response. I am posting it below along with the link to the interview, book, and info:

http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2009/ ... /#comments

In fairness, I have not seen the original or the new edition of Joy of Sex. While I certainly agree that sex should be pleasureable, fun, and fulfilling, it was my impression that the book misses the big picture, which of course, is central to the work of Bioenergetics. Thus I thought it would be of interest on The AL Foundation site. As a Foundation Director, I look forward to an expanding focus on sexuality. At the nexus of the mind and the body is sexuality. It is central.

My response to On Point:
?
?Another great topic. Thanks for your work.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed and under-whelmed by the one-sided presentation by your guests. They overlooked the big issues and problems that individuals and our culture have with sexuality, the elephant in the room. Several callers seemed to be way ahead of your guests in highlighting problems that are widespread, but glossed over by your guests. I am left with the impression that ?Joy of Sex? is a book by and for ?sex cheerleaders.? By tapping into the fascination with sex, it will probably do real well.

The elephant in the room is the fact that healthy sexuality is a distinctly different animal from the commercial sexuality that is in our face, and infused throughout our money-centric culture. With the risk of over-simplifying, healthy sexuality can be thought of as sexuality with good feeling for one?s self and one?s partner. In contrast, commercial sexuality promotes an image of sex without feeling: an attitude of cool sophistication that values status, image and power. In short, it is the difference between narcissistic values of the ego/mind, versus the natural and real values of the body.

This mind-body ?split? is a widespread problem amongst individuals and throughout our culture. It is responsible not only for sexual dysfunction, but also for societal trashing of our environment in favor of commercial interests; and even the current economic crisis, as the moneyed classes screwed (pun intended) the middle classes.

Lack of sexual gratification, joy, and personal fulfillment is widespread. People seek it, but they will not find it on TV, or in books, malls, or schools. In fact, the divide continues to deepen. The purveyors of commercial sexuality do not want their audiences to achieve fulfillment, it is not good for sales. The stimulating effect of sexuality in movies, magazines, stores, on-line, etc increases, because it needs to overcome the deadening effect on the emotional body responses that ultimately drives consumers.

While all this is certainly beyond the scope of your topic, I am disappointed when sex experts do not recognize healthy sexuality as distinct from the destructive trash that masquerades as the sexual revolution.

Frederic Lowen, President
The Alexander Lowen Foundation, author ?Love and Orgasm,? ?Joy.?

Posted by Frederic Lowen, on January 15th, 2009 at 5:54 pm EST
[/u]