MSB Book Club is back! Get to know Amon, Urban Tantra’s Book Club Facilitator
2024 is here and MSB Book Club is back! In our newest 60-minute book club, we’ll break down the book Urban Tantra by Barbara Carrellas into three sections led by our beloved facilitator, Amon Elise. As anticipation builds for this literary revival, we sat down with Amon to unravel the magic behind the chosen book and explore the unique format of the 60-minute sessions. Join us as we dive into the world of Urban Tantra and rediscover the joy of reading together with the MSB Book Club.
My Sex Bio: To kick things off. Amon, could you share a bit about yourself?
Amon: If you want the real truth, I’m a sex geek who became fascinated with why I wasn’t experiencing sex the way others seemingly were. And I have a habit of not being able to shut up about it, so over time all of my side projects, creative works, workshops and training culminated into a second career. I enjoy teaching others how to find joy and release in their bodies. Sometimes this looks like nude yoga, or a kink social, or a class in orgasmic meditation, or a giant platonic cuddle puddle. And it’s not easy to be in these spaces publicly, even when we desperately want to! So I teach others how to get what they want out of their private bedroom lives, because if you can’t start there, where can you start?
MSB: What motivated you to select 'Urban Tantra' as the inaugural book for your book club series?
Amon: This was actually the first easily digestible book I found to discuss tantra. There are others of course! But if you want a light dive, this is a solid start. When I started my journey to be a certified sex educator this was one of the first books they made us read and it was already on my bookshelf! I had just never got around to it. I imagine I’m not alone in having books on my bookshelf that I need to get around to reading, so this felt like a good choice for everyone.
MSB: For those considering joining, what can they expect from the book club meetings, and how do you ensure a welcoming atmosphere?
Amon: You can expect laughter, story-telling and sharing of experiences as the group actually works through the exercises in this book. Some together, some individually but never far apart in spirit. With our monthly check-ins we hold each other accountable and allow for a communal effort to exist in a world that can feel lonely. I keep it cozy by making sure people don’t have to speak if they don’t want to, but that we stay connected in conversation. We keep it safe by agreeing not to share what’s heard inside the book club outside of the space. This keeps a tight container for the community even if you miss a session. I wouldn’t skip any though, that’s how you miss the inside jokes and juicy details.
MSB: In your view, what specific aspects of 'Urban Tantra' make it an engaging and discussion-worthy choice for the book club?
Amon: Hands down it’s the exercises! Most of the exercises in the book are designed to take place in an individual practice (solo, or by yourself). If we practice the exercises together, we can explore not only what it looks like from our own perspective, but from others who have no reason to sugar-coat their experiences. You’ll get honest feedback. Plus the material has an easy progression and is meant to meet you at all levels of your sexual experience (your biography, if you will).
MSB: For those participating in the book club, what insights or takeaways do you hope they'll gain after attending the meetings?
Amon: I hope that by the end, everyone has a more expansive tool kit to engage with others. After this book club, I want people to have new and creative ways to create their desires.
As we draw the curtains on our conversation with Amon Elise, the visionary facilitator of the MSB Book Club, the excitement for the upcoming literary journey intensifies. With "Urban Tantra" as our guide, this 60-minute book club promises not only a deep dive into the realms of sensuality and self-discovery but also a communal space where laughter, shared stories, and genuine connections flourish. Amon's passion for teaching the art of joy and release in our bodies sets the stage for a transformative experience. So, whether you're a seasoned explorer of tantra or a newcomer eager to expand your tool kit for connection, the MSB Book Club awaits. Let's embark on this adventure together, breaking free from the confines of the ordinary and discovering the extraordinary within the pages of "Urban Tantra." Join us, and let the journey of self-discovery and community unfold in the most unexpected and delightful ways.
