All we need now is an Elon Musk Neurolink to stimulate the desired center and we can be forever in love with our partners: a new study has mapped out various love centers in the brain, leading to new ways we can stimulate love on a path to being more productive and satisfied beings.

We all have used the word ‘love’ in a bewildering range of contexts — from sexual adoration to parental love or the love of nature.

New imaging of the brain may shed light on why we use the same word for such a diverse collection of human experiences, called love:

You see your newborn child for the first time. The baby is soft, healthy and hearty — your life’s greatest wonder. You feel love for the little one.

The above statement was one of many simple scenarios presented to fifty-five parents, self-described as being in a loving relationship. Researchers from Aalto University in Finland applied functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity while subjects mulled brief stories related to six different types of love.

Love for children is the deepest

“We now provide a more comprehensive picture of the brain activity associated with different types of love than previous research,” says Pärttyli Rinne, the researcher who coordinated the study: “The activation pattern of love is generated in social situations in the basal ganglia, the midline of the forehead, the precuneus and the temporoparietal junction at the sides of the back of the head.”

Love for one’s children generated the most intense brain activity, closely followed by romantic love. “In parental love, there was activation deep in the brain’s reward system in the striatum area while imagining love, and this was not seen for any other kind of love,” says Rinne.

Love for romantic partners, friends, strangers, pets and nature were also part of the study, which was published this week in the Cerebral Cortex journal, Oxford University Press.

According to the research, brain activity is influenced not only by the closeness of the object of love, but also by whether it is a human being, another species or nature.

Unsurprisingly, compassionate love for strangers was less rewarding and caused less brain activation than love in close relationships. Meanwhile, love of nature activated the reward system and visual areas of the brain, but not the social brain areas.

Pet-owners identifiable by brain activity

The biggest surprise for the researchers was that the brain areas associated with love between people ended up being very similar, with differences lying primarily in the intensity of activation. All types of interpersonal love activated areas of the brain associated with social cognition, in contrast to love for pets or nature — with one exception.

Subjects’ brain responses to a statement like the following, on average, revealed whether or not they shared their life with a furry friend:

‘You are home lolling on the couch and your pet cat pads over to you. The cat curls up next to you and purrs sleepily. You love your pet.’

Related: Making love with the 5% rule

“When looking at love for pets and the brain activity associated with it, brain areas associated with sociality statistically reveal whether or not the person is a pet owner. When it comes to the pet owners, these areas are more activated than with non-pet owners,” says Rinne.

Not only can understanding the neural mechanisms of love help guide philosophical discussions about the nature of love, consciousness, and human connection, but also, the researchers hope that their work will enhance mental health interventions in conditions like attachment disorders, depression or relationship issues.

The post A map of where love lives in your brain appeared first on Green Prophet.

Looking for a sustainable romantic relationship? One that will last till the end of days?  Then you’ll know how important that first date can be.  When falling in love, what makes us attracted to some people, and not to others?

The answer will be surprising to most of us – but it wasn’t to the team of researchers led by Shir Atzil of the Department of Psychology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

“Connecting with a partner depends on how well we can synchronize our bodies. We specialize in studying parent-infant bonding – and we had already seen the same thing there,” she explained.  

The researchers looked at how a heterosexual couple’s physiology and behavior adapt to each other during that first encounter. 

The study was based on a speed-date experiment consisting of forty-six dates. Each date lasted 5 minutes during which the levels of physiological regulation of each partner were recorded with a band worn on the wrist. Behavioral movements, such as nodding, moving an arm, shifting a leg were also recorded in each partner during the date.

After the encounter, the couple assessed the romantic interest and sexual attraction they felt for each other.  The study clearly showed that when couples synchronize their physiology with one another and adapt their behavioral movements to their partner during the date, they are romantically attracted to one another.  This research was recently published in Scientific Reports.

Intriguingly, the study also showed that the degree of synchrony affected men and women differently. 

Although for both genders synchrony predicted attraction, women were more sexually attracted to men who showed a high level of synchrony – “super-synchronizers”; these men were highly desirable to female partners.

“Our research, ” said Atzil, “demonstrates that behavioral and physiological synchrony can be a useful mechanism to attract a romantic partner. However, we still don’t know whether synchrony raises attraction or does the feeling of attraction generate the motivation to synchronize?”  An area of research that Atzil is planning to investigate.

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Allergens, animal bi-products, and discomfort — the crux of safe sex with latex condoms. Traditional latex condoms are one of the best forms of contraception and protection against STDs but there are numerous negatives to traditional latex condoms. These negatives prohibit many from using condoms at all, therefore, increasing the risk of unwanted pregnancy and risk of STDs.

According to the American Psychological Association hookups are becoming more ingrained in popular culture, reflecting both evolved sexual predilections and changing social and sexual scripts. Hook-up activities meaning any range of casual, often meaningless sexual behaviors including kissing, oral sex, and penetrative intercourse. Let’s be real, hookup culture is a large part of western society now for all age ranges, genders, and sexualities, but with an increased number of people being part of the culture there’s an increased number of potential STDs and unplanned pregnancies which in turn can lead to mental health issues as well as physical. So protection is key, but with so many negatives to latex condoms, many don’t use them putting themselves at a greater risk. 

Condomania, the largest online retailer for condoms in the US and formerly a brick and mortar store in Manhattan founded in 1991 provides its customers with access to safe, reliable sex products as well as sex education resources. Over the past two decades, they have expanded beyond its New York home and have shipped millions of condoms across all 50 states via its website. Customers can now find access to a variety of carefully sourced condoms, lubricants, toys, and more within seconds of visiting the online store. Condomania who has a focus on sex education and ensuring people have access to information regarding sexuality and safe sexual practices has an answer for those who don’t want to use traditional condoms as a result of displeasure, allergies not wanting to support a product with animal bioproducts as well as any other reason. For the non-latex wearer, Condomania recommends vegan condoms, yes, vegan condoms. 

Vegan Condoms

Most traditional condoms are made from latex which is harvested from rubber trees so they must be vegan right? Wrong, traditional latex condoms are required to rest in a casein bath, casein is a protein commonly found in milk products. Those with a latex allergy who wish to use condoms also only have the option of using lambskin condoms, but they have tiny holes which decrease STD prevention and aren’t animal friendly due to their dependence on animals.

Vegan condoms, on the other hand, are a more sustainable condom option. Unlike traditional latex condoms, vegan condoms replace casein with plant-based alternatives such as thistle extract. Since they have less harmful irritants they are also less likely to cause yeast infections or other bacterial infections commonly caused by traditional condoms.

“There’s growing environmental awareness but does that mean everyone wants to know if their condom is vegan? – No. Everyone is thinking about the ingredients in their food and their makeup, but no one is thinking about the ingredients that go in the products they put in the most intimate parts of our body.” NEW YORK TIMES

Vegan Condoms for Wellness and Health

Traditional condoms are typically saturated in lubricants packed with other potentially harmful chemicals, fragrances, and additives. Additionally, condom production requires the frequent use of hardeners, preservatives, softeners, agricultural chemicals, and other harmful substances. While there is no specific or concrete proof that traditional condoms are better for one’s health, the chemicals that are involved in the treatment process or lubrication of latex condoms can throw off the delicate pH balance of our reproductive systems particularly in women which can lead to several vaginal issues such as urinary tract infections (UTI’s), yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis.

Vegan condoms, unlike their latex counterparts, opt for natural and plant-based ingredients such as pure silicone oils for lubricants or using organic, food-safe fruit and vegetable extracts for flavored and colorful condoms. Using natural products instead of chemically loaded additives and preservatives can ultimately reduce health issues that may be triggered by sex and those that are commonly seen in women. 

But Condoms Don’t Feel Good Babe…

Any sexual being knows skin-to-skin contact feels, in plain terms, better. We’ve all heard the “but it doesn’t feel good” excuse or the “babe but..”

Vegan condoms like Hanx or GLYDE are free of nasty chemicals and don’t cause vaginal dryness or irritation allowing for natural lubrication and increased pleasure. There are also many thin vegan condoms for closer contact so you can focus on having fun and not being uncomfortable.

I’m a Vegan Now

Condoms of any type reduce the risk of STDs and prevent unwanted pregnancy, and they should be used always to protect yourself and others. Luckily with the development of vegan condoms, there are alternatives to traditional condoms that support women’s vaginal health that are cruelty-free, and still, feel pleasurable. They also prevent your 2am hookup from saying “I’m allergic, I can’t wear one” or “they’re uncomfortable” since many vegan condoms do have an extra thin option where they barely feel like a barrier and don’t take away from pleasure.

While those with a latex allergy may feel weary when condom shopping, there are a number of vegan condoms options they can choose from and eliminate the stress of STDs and pregnancy. The thing is, you really are doing the planet a favor by using vegan condoms. Protecting the environment is great, ethical sourcing is great, anti-allergen is great and love is great so it’s time we all go vegan. 

The post It’s Time to go Vegan in the Bedroom with Vegan Condoms  appeared first on Green Prophet.

That fact that oxytocin is two-faced is a conclusion drawn from research from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. There researchers took mice living in semi-natural conditions and then had their oxytocin producing brain cells manipulated in a highly precise manner. The findings, which were published in the science journal Neuron, could shed new light on efforts to use oxytocin to treat a variety of psychiatric conditions, from social anxiety and autism (may be linked to chemicals in our diet) to schizophrenia.

Much of what we know about the actions of neuromodulators like oxytocin comes from behavioral studies of lab animals in standard lab conditions. These conditions are strictly controlled and artificial, in part so that researchers can limit the number of variables affecting behavior. But a number of recent studies suggest that the actions of a mouse in a semi-natural environment can teach us much more about natural behavior, especially when we mean to apply those findings to humans.

Prof. Alon Chen’s lab group at the Institute’s Neurobiology Department have created an experimental setup that enables them to observe mice in something approaching their natural living conditions – an environment enriched with stimuli they can explore – and their activity is monitored day and night with cameras and analyzed computationally.

The present study, which has been ongoing for the past eight years, was led by research students Sergey Anpilov and Noa Eren, and Staff Scientist Dr. Yair Shemesh in Prof. Chen’s lab group. The innovation in this experiment, however, was to incorporate optogenetics – a method that enables researchers to turn specific neurons in the brain on or off using light. To create an optogenetic setup that would enable the team to study mice that were behaving naturally, the group developed a compact, lightweight, wireless device with which the scientists could activate nerve cells by remote control. With the help of optogenetics expert Prof. Ofer Yizhar of the same department, the group introduced a protein previously developed by Yizhar into the oxytocin-producing brain cells in the mice. When light from the wireless device touched those neurons, they became more sensitized to input from the other brain cells in their network.

“Our first goal,” says Anpilov, “was to reach that ‘sweet spot’ of experimental setups in which we track behavior in a natural environment, without relinquishing the ability to ask pointed scientific questions about brain functions.”

Shemesh adds that, “the classical experimental setup is not only lacking in stimuli, the measurements tend to span mere minutes, while we had the capacity to track social dynamics in a group over the course of days.”

Delving into the role of oxytocin was sort of a test drive for the experimental system. It had been believed that this hormone mediates pro-social behavior. But findings have been conflicting, and some have proposed another hypothesis, termed “social salience” stating that oxytocin might be involved in amplifying the perception of diverse social cues, which could then result in pro-social or antagonistic behaviors, depending on such factors as individual character and their environment.

To test the social salience hypothesis, the team used mice in which they could gently activate the oxytocin-producing cells in the hypothalamus, placing them first in the enriched, semi-natural lab environments. To compare, they repeated the experiment with mice placed in the standard, sterile lab setups.

Applying love to the pharma industry

In the semi-natural environment, the mice at first displayed heightened interest in one another, but this was soon accompanied by a rise in aggressive behavior. In contrast, increasing oxytocin production in the mice in classical lab conditions resulted in reduced aggression. “In an all-male, natural social setting, we would expect to see belligerent behavior as they compete for territory or food,” says Anpilov. “That is, the social conditions are conducive to competition and aggression. In the standard lab setup, a different social situation leads to a different effect for the oxytocin.”

If the “love hormone” is more likely a “social hormone,” what does that mean for its pharmaceutical applications?

“Oxytocin is involved, as previous experiments have shown, in such social behaviors as making eye contact or feelings of closeness,” says Eren, “but our work shows it does not improve sociability across the board. Its effects depend on both context and personality.”

The post Why awesome girlfriends suddenly go psycho appeared first on Green Prophet.

Reaching his hand down to squeeze the hearts of passive observers in a way that no grisly news report has been able to do, the Syrian artist’s recent transposition of Gustav Klimpt’s iconic “The Kiss” on a war-ravaged building in Syria has mobilized scores of global citizens, while at least one million residents and refugees continue to suffer amid one of the worst humanitarian disasters the world has ever hidden from.

Azzan’s “Freedom Graffiti” is the latest installation in his series entitled “Syrian Museum,” in which he explores the ongoing horror in his native country. Born in Damascus in 1980, he currently works and lives in Dubai.

The New York Times reports that the series blends works by Western masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Henri Matisse, Goya and Picasso, with recent photos of Syria’s devastated cityscapes, in an effort to draw comparisons between “the greatest achievements of humanity with the destruction it is also capable of inflicting.”

The original gilded painting by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt comprised a call for universal love. It was partially inspired by a line in Schiller’s Ode to Joy in Beethoven’s 9th symphony “The Kiss is for the Whole World” and depicts a pair of lovers in a rapturous embrace.

It was enormously popular in 1908, contrary to many of Klimpt’s previous pieces, and still resonates with viewers more than a century later.

Graffiti has played a central role in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. Artists in Amman, Cairo and Tunis defy tradition with often daring pieces that assuage the turbulent consciousness of the region’s youth, who face continued poverty, food scarcity, violence and environmental destruction.

But none has borrowed so boldly from the west to drive home a point.

:: New York Times

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This is what Jeff did, a Couchsurfer who met me in the Sierra Nevada mountains of southern Spain for a weekend of wet walking. I thought he was coming to my rescue because I was planning to hike alone, but when we started to talk, it emerged that Jeff’s heart was recently crushed and he needed a friendly distraction. Here are five ways that 18 miles of mountain hiking put him back on the path of happiness, and me too!

1. Get out of your head and into the clouds

Most of us think way too much when we lose love. We constantly run the same questions through our minds: “What could I have done differently?” “Am I too ugly?” “Is there someone else?” And, maybe the hardest of them all, “Will I be alone forever?” Staying in a small dark room probing unanswerable what-ifs not only leads to near madness, but it’s also a complete waste of energy. Hiking is a great cure for this because it forces us to pull our heads out of the metaphorical clouds and focus on the trail instead. Whilst those questions don’t disappear right away, their intensity does subside, and it gets easier to view the situation with an objective lens.

2. Nature broadens perspective

When the woebegone stay cooped up in a room with four walls, it’s very easy to forget that there’s an entire universe, maybe multiple universes, outside the front door. Getting outside helps to widen that perspective again. I look at the trees and think about the trajectory of a seed’s lifespan, marveling at the miracle of it all, and Jeff tells me that the Sierra mountains groaned out of the earth when Africa and Europe crashed into each other. Amidst all of this, our problems seem a little less significant. They’re not insignificant, but they are just one small part of a much, much bigger picture; this awareness somehow makes loss easier to face.

3. Open new channels in the mind

If you hike alone, then this might not apply to you, (though solitude in nature has its benefits too) but when you undertake any kind of journey with another person, communication takes on a new hue. There’s something about being in nature or on the open road that opens up new channels in the mind, making it easier to discuss concepts that are often overlooked in the grip of our busy, domestic lives. It’s easier to take a hard, honest look at ourselves when out on the trail, which is usually what is necessary to overcome emotional suffering. Usually, if we have lost someone we love, there’s a reason for it. Maybe there was infidelity in the relationship. Or maybe it was just time to move on. Whatever the case may be, communicating honestly with another person away from the comforts of home can create a clarity of vision that makes the road towards lighter days seem far less arduous.

4. Exercise and happy chemicals

If it’s been a while since you laced up your hiking boots, hitting that first 500 meter ascent might seem impossible. But pretty soon you do hit your groove and before you know it, the dark matter in your mind starts to clear up a bit, and you start to feel, can it be, happy. That’s because a flood of endorphins have started to swim around in your brain. I’m not a doctor, so take it from WebMD: “Endorphins act as analgesics, which means they diminish the perception of pain. They also act as sedatives. They are manufactured in your brain, spinal cord, and many other parts of your body and are released in response to brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.” In other words, exercise produces chemicals that literally make you feel happier. Doing it regularly can help ward off even the deepest depression.

5. A sense of accomplishment

When the love of your life walks away, it’s easy to feel like a dust ball, a nobody, a used up-vacuum of nothingness. You start to think you’ll never be able to love again or face another day without that special person in your life. But this is more the stuff of trashy love novels than reality, because the truth is, we usually do recover. And when we do, we are armed with a brand new set of tools that will help us in future relationships. Before we can get to that point,  however, we have to build up our self-confidence again, and there’s nothing like a whole lot of hiking in one weekend to do just that. If you can hike 18 miles, you can get through many of life’s hardest challenges.

Jeff was really low on the first day of our epic hiking weekend. The climb to our first destination (Tello) was hard and steep, it rained all day and it was cold. But by the time he left today after a perfect day of walking through a verdant oak forest with views of the Mediterranean Sea and Moorish mountain villages, he was already starting to sound like a new man. So the next time you have a broken heart, give it a try. Put on your boots. Pack some snacks and plenty of water. Hit the trail and feel happy again.

All photos taken by Tafline Laylin on (someone else’s) iPhone, except the one of her. And Jeff is not Jeff’s real name.

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More than a media gimmick, mass weddings in the Middle East are going green, with the ceremony inaugurated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, an example of the popularity.

Mass Weddings have a long and venerated history in the region. Historical references suggest that in 324 BC, Alexander the Great married Barsine. His bride was the daughter of Darius, the king of Persia. Centuries later, the tradition continues, even in the midst of turmoil. And the result is green.

The Dubai event was organized by the Marriage Fund and according to the GulfNews.com, coincided “with the sixth anniversary of Shaikh Mohammad’s accession.”

They report:

Shaikh Mohammad congratulated the Emirati couples, and wished them a happy and stable life. He also received a memento from Maitha Al Shamsi, Minister of State and Chairwoman of the fund, on the occasion of his accession, and took commemorative pictures with the beneficiaries.

In her opening speech, Al Shamsi extended her thanks for the financial and counsel provided to the fund by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Shaikh Mohammad, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, Crown Princes, and other governmental departments.

A 1999 celebration in Israel for 11 couples was planned by Easywed.com, an Israeli company that specializes in weddings done on the quick (at the time of publication, their website is Hebrew only.)

Economic benefits underscore the green value in collective ceremonies. Sharing the expense of an officiant, the venue, decorations and even the post-celebration are often cited by those who opt for them. Less resources used = lower impact on the planet from a billion dollar industry that according to one popular green wedding site leaves a massive carbon footprint on the planet. In a segment on the value of going green on your wedding day, GreenBrideGuide.com states:

Each one of the 2.5 million weddings this year [in the United States] will produce an average of 62 tons of carbon dioxide and 400-600 lbs of garbage. That’s a lot of waste!…If every engaged couple made just one small green choice, that would be 2.5 million greener choices a year, and that is an amazing impact.

photo:: blogs.guardian.co.uk

Read More on Green Weddings:

Tips for a ‘Greener’ Muslim Wedding

Saudi Adding a Splash of Green to Royal Wedding

Tinamarie is the Green Love and Sex Columnist for Greenprophet. You can follow her on @ModernLoveMuse and facebook. She blogs at www.tinamariebernard.com.

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A grape seed, avocado and apricot kernel massage oil is great for eco-intimacy.

Recently, the developer of an environmentally friendly, vegan and kosher natural oil for massage and intimacy contacted your Green Love editor with a delightful request. Review their product – TRUST – for the eco-conscious audience in the Middle East.  Being ardent advocates of greening our love lives, we agreed to do the deed; after all, we live in a region that could benefit from a whalloped-sized injection of trust, sweet trust. “We believe the sentiment of personal ‘trust’ is essential to any healthy relationship. We further believe that a soothing massage with your loved one may promote intimacy and thereby contribute to a healthy relationship,” Daniel Ray, founder.

TRUST is a blend of Grape Seed, Avocado and Apricot Kernel oils that are high quality, organic, food grade, and kosher. It does not contain the major lubrication No-No’s such as glycerin (not all forms are bad for you, we must point out), parabens, petrochemicals, or preservatives. It comes in a discreet blue glass bottle that won’t shock your modest guests if they happen to sneak a peak. And like all natural oils, it is NOT recommended that you use it with latex products.

The founder, Daniel Ray, hails from Colorado and has dedicated a large portion of his life to finding ways that couples can improve their relationships. Sensual and therapeutic massage offers many benefits to couples, from relieving anxiety and stress, increasing levels of love-friendly neural-hormones, and enhancing emotional and physical intimacy.

Through Ray’s own exploration with massage therapy, he created his own unique mixtures of oils, and came up with TRUST, one he believes is superior to those more widely available.  Together with his uncle, Ray developed TRUST with the thought of enhancing intimacy and improving relationships among loving people around the world.

TRUST is designed as, “an exceptional massage oil and a wonderful addition to the art of making love,” he explained.  Mainstream sex educators and eco-sexuality advocates agree. The reviews across the board so far for the product have been outstanding, and we couldn’t agree more.  It’s luxurious, non-greasy, and smooth, with barely any scent, which makes it a good carrier oil for lovers who may want to experiment with natural fragrances or essential oils.

TRUST is available online at www.trustintimacy.com for consumers in the US and Canada only at this time, though rumor has it the company is looking to collaborate with local distributors in this region.

Related eco-love and beauty news:

The Ins and Outs of Personal Vaginal Lubrications

One of a Kind Online Muslim Sex Shop: El Asira

Scentual Natural Perfumes That Won’t Turn You a Puckish Shade of Green

Tinamarie is a regular contributor to Greenprophet.com. Follow her @ModernLoveMuse. She blogs at www.tinamariebernard.com.

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The most recent Valentine’s Day may have reminded you that it’s a harsh dating world out there. Whether you’re lucky enough to meet someone through a chance encounter at the coffee shop, free dating sites, or even through unorthodox methods such as Chinese astrological sign alignment – once you’ve met someone special you probably want to do everything in your power to make it work.  Easier said than done, though.  This can be especially tough sometimes when your love interest is a hard core environmentalist and has some less-than-conventionally-romantic habits. You may love your baby for having those strong beliefs, but watch out before they become deal breakers.

As with all relationships, the name of the game is compromise.  For those of you that just starting dating an environmentalist (or “greenie”), watch out for these five potential deal breakers and figure out how to resolve them:

1) He/she shows up sweaty everywhere because of refusal to use a private transportation. Private vehicles are a big offender when it comes to carbon emissions, and even eco-friendly cars like the Prius still have an environmental impact. The most friendly forms of transportation are either public transportation (which is not always air conditioned enough), cycling, or walking – and all three may leave your date sweaty when showing up for… well, your date.

The solution?  Try avoiding places that require your date to travel far distances and opt for a closer-to-home alternative.  One option is having a romantic picnic in your living room.  Another option is getting your date a solar-powered, hand-held fan for traveling on the go.

2) He/she uses eco-friendly deodorant. Eco-friendly deodorants which we love avoid using certain anti-perspirant ingredients, such as aluminum ions and other chemicals. Not wanting your body or the environment to be subjected to such substances is noble, but may not do much for your romance if you’re getting up close and personal.  That may be a deal breaking combination.

Have no fear, this can be fixed too.  In addition to avoiding long, sweaty travel, you can suggest that your date carry a spritz bottle of water infused with natural essential oils.  Lavender is a great one, and strong enough to diffuse any unpleasant sweaty odors.

3) He/she thinks vegan desserts are delicious. Animal lover? Yes. Have a lower carbon footprint? Yes. These things can be said of vegan desserts. But delicious? Ummm…. not really. Call us old fashioned, but good desserts have butter and eggs and lots of them. Have you ever tried eating vegan chocolate mousse?

Try to compromise and get your date to agree to organic non-vegan desserts.  If all else fails, stick to seasonal fruits dipped in dark chocolate which are both delicious and a fun activity.

4) He/she has bed bugs in his/her second hand furniture. Second hand furniture has a far lower environmental impact than, say, hopping over to your local Big Box store, but it is not without its dangers. When you buy something new out of the box you know that no one else used it or got into it before you – with second hand furniture you often have no idea who or how many people used the item before you. This can be especially worrying with upholstered furniture, so before spending the night at your greenie’s place, do a quick little scan of the bed and couch to make sure that they are bed bug-free.

A fair compromise may be for your eco-love to buy second hand bed frames, but a new mattress to go with it.  Explain your concerns and hopefully he/she will compromise.  If you mention the green bedding options out there, you’re sure to score some points.

5) Your vacations may be limited to places within driving or railroad distance. If you’re fantasizing about whisking your beloved to Paris or Rome for the weekend, you may want to make sure that that’s even an option. Air travel is one of the worst environmental offenders out there, and some hard core environmentalists have sworn off air travel completely. They have restricted themselves to traveling to places within driving or railroad distance.

But for those dating within the Middle East, this may not be a problem since there are lots of beautiful places to visit within driving/railroad distance.  Check out the eco-tourism options available in Yemen, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, and Syria.

Read more for some extra green dating advice:
5 Green Gifts When Dating an Environmentalist
5 Green Dating Ideas for the Middle Eastern Romantic
5 Green Valentine Ideas for Your Eco-Girlfriend

Image via: LeChon Wilson, Denis Dervisevic

The post Dating an Environmentalist? 5 Tips For Avoiding the Pitfalls appeared first on Green Prophet.

There are many teachers of ecstatic sexuality, but not so many in the Israel. Ben and Efrat, together as a couple for several years, epitomize what can be accomplished when two people harmonized their efforts at love and living. In the first half of our interview on eco-sexuality with these long-time teachers of the sacred sexual arts, we learned about the connection between Tantra and the ecology of sustainable love. In this second half, Ben and Efrat reveal the secrets of how they build bridges between lovers from the diverse groups eking out a life in a love-hungry Middle East who are committed to creating a more sustainable love.

Green Prophet: What has been the response of those in the Middle East who are unfamiliar with the concepts of ‘sacred sexuality’ when they learn about the work you do?

Ben and Efrat: This is very interesting to note. We believe that those who oppose the ideas do not even reach our awareness.

We work with an amazingly wide social spectrum of clients. People from all ages, Israeli, Arab, Haredi Orthodox men and women, Jews, Christians and Muslims. The vast majority of those who are being exposed to Tantra and sacred sexuality through our work are really being transformed. Naturally, the individual level of devotion, flow and surrendering determines by large the extent of transformation, but we see miracles almost on a daily basis.

The most amazing aspect of Tantric practices that transforms people is the notion of freedom as the highest value.  Tantra teaches an inner rebellion against social conditioning and this appeals to almost every person who was exposed to that idea.  The ability to experience this inner rebellion in a safe, protected and secure environment under guidance and affirmation really transforms everyone.

The transforming energy is so prominent that there is also a notable group of those who call or write to ask, yet still dare not come and experience. One can absolutely sense the longing and yearning for that sense of freedom, mixed with sorrow for the lack of courage to actually come and practice.

The response to that transformation is so strong, perhaps as a blessed contrast to the education which is so common in Middle Eastern countries with all that regards sexuality. In the Middle East, sexuality is generally highly restricted. It is being enforced with strict education, especially with the girls.

This creates a very high contrast between the natural, inner being and the will to adhere to social rules. That high inner tension causes a very strong effect when the spring is let loose by the experience of freedom and sacred sexuality.

Several months ago, we had the privilege of conducting a private Tantra workshop for a couple in the Israeli version of the reality TV show “The Bachelor”. The workshop was very gentle and portrayed the essence and beauty of a sacred ceremony (Puja) of union of the lovers.

In the weeks that followed the broadcast we received a Tsunami of interest from viewers, who were attracted to the beauty of sacred sexuality (although the broadcast itself did not include any sexual aspects).

Although we still avoid reading the talk-backs when we publish an article in online newspapers we can definitely sense a great wave of openness to the transformation offered by Tantra. There certainly is a social shift and we are very inspired by it.

Greenprophet.com: You have a new series of self-paced CDs now available. Please tell us how the messages support the values inherent in environmentalism.

Ben and Efrat: The audio program, “Bonding” which is offered in the first chapter of the series “Tantra Nights to Remember” actually leads couples through essential parts of the Puja, the sacred ceremony of unison.

We know that much of our success in the private sessions we conduct with couples and singles comes from the energy we share with them.

It has been our dream for quite some time to share our gifts with as many people as possible. It is not just sharing knowledge. It is much more than that. It is sharing of an experience, of healing energy. Since we know that this energy has no limits or boundaries it can be shared through various ways.

It is our sincere belief that this audio program will not only introduce people to the ideas of Tantra and sacred sexuality and to our healing energy, but it will create a strong will to study and experience more. The Middle East is a very disturbed region and the only way to transform it into an eco-balanced environment is by reaching the masses with the balancing messages of Tantra.

Essentially, frustrated people are not great candidates to sustain a balanced eco-system and a well-preserved environment. One of the greater causes for frustration is a restricted sexuality, which is driven by a scarcity mentality and the well known inherited factors of shame fear and guilt.

Our vision is to reach millions of people with our message of freedom and sacredness. We know it will help building a much better, peaceful Middle East and world.

Our message is beautifully packed in this audio program with our guiding voices, with a beautiful music, which was composed with love and with beautiful ceremonies, and practices which bring harmony, serenity, romance, bonding and great love.

Those who are interested in the audio program can find out more at:
http://benefrat.com/the_perfect_valentine_gift.html

:: Photo credit: Sergio Vassio

More eco-sexuality news:

Sex Up Sustainability: Five Ways to Make Love to the Planet in 2011

Are you an Eco-Sexual?

The Ecology of Sustainable Love

Tinamarie is a regular contributor to Greenprophet.com. You can follow her on @ModernLoveMuse and facebook. She blogs at www.tinamariebernard.com.

The post INTERVIEW: Bringing the Ancient Wisdom of Tantra to a Love-Hungry Middle East (part 2) appeared first on Green Prophet.