Guest Author - Colette

I must have been in college when I first heard about the Kamasutra. For me and my 19 year old friends who thought we knew everything and actually knew very little, we thought that is was a book of love making positions. Oddly enough, given that idea, it wasn't something that i was interested in reading. In my mind, sexual positions equated to porn.

As I've grown, so has my perspective. The other day I was in the bookstore looking for a good book when a came across the Kamasutra. Initially, I was attracted to the cover, but as I read the introduction I was intrigued.

The Kamasutra is an ancient classical work on the art of love. It's uniqueness lies in that it discusses the theme of sexual pleasure without any feeling of shyness or shame. While many of us think of the Kama Sutra in the same manner as I did, ancient Indian literature explores a variety of different themes. These themes that refer to Astronomy, Geometry, Medicine, Politics, and Morals are centered upon the basic premise that if a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well.Well amaen to that!

According to ancient Indian Hindu-Wisdom, the life of a human should strive towards a three-pronged goal;

1. Dharma - the complete collection of virtuous, religious works as a basis for Families, Civil rights, Codex of Behavior, Dharmashastra, written by Manu.
2. Artha - material possessions, earthly well-being, Arthashastra, written by Kautilya.
3. Kama - love and all its associated pleasures of the senses, Kamasutra, written by Vatsyayana.

According to the Kamasutra, all these three aspects of the life of a human being, should be of equal importance. A fulfilled and meaningful life is attained when these three goals are in balance. Neglecting one of these areas leads to a diminished stability and to a dangerous imbalance in man. Practicing dharma, artha and kama makes it possible to lead a meaningful and joyous life in this world and the next.

But just so you know, the positions are included also.