My Insane Relationship with a Rapist

Ashamed to admit it, yet it is the truth, I slept with my rapist several times after he raped me on two separate occasions. The first rape happened in NYC during a photo test shoot soon after I arrived to begin my modeling career. I was 20-years-young, full of hope Read more

S. P. Owen

Shanti is a writer, relationship coach, and an advocate for women. She was formerly an 80's super model (known as Patty Owen) regularly featured in Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan magazines. Shanti was also an upcoming actress that appeared on popular TV shows like NBC’s Miami Vice. Shanti left Hollywood due to sexual harassment issues in the industry and personal abandonment issues, rekindled when dozens of her closest friends died from the AIDS epidemic. In search of healing, Shanti went on a deep spiritual journey for several years. During this period she adopted the name “Shanti” which means “peace” in Sanskrit. Shanti is deeply committed to us finding peace on earth as individuals and through our intimate relationships. To that end, she has been immersed in over 33 years of research and training in transformational, spiritual, sensual, and relationship modalities. Shanti’s major areas of study include Dan Fauci's Mastery of Self Expression, Werner Erhard's EST training, Transcendental Meditation, Louise L. Hay, More University, The Landmark Forum, David Deida, Kabbalah, Personal Dynamics, and numerous yoga and tantra programs. Twice divorced, Shanti keeps connected with both her ex-husbands and fosters close relationships with her father, sister, 22-year-old daughter, and her many close friends. Shanti's mother passed in 2011 and with her death came the death of Shanti's denial. Shanti finally got clear that she had a sex/love addiction that was unconsciously guiding her every decision, many of them very dangerous. Shanti is extremely grateful that her mother's death shook her up and woke her up. You can read more about Shanti's awakening in her upcoming book, Memoirs of a Legal Courtesan: A sex/love addict's journey into wholeness... For up-to-date information on Shanti’s books and TV appearances go to www.supermodeldatingcoach.com and www.legalcourtesan.com

Drip Down

Come closer and remember the time (in bizarre supplication) I kneeled naked in the shower. Water steaming around me loudly Water rushing down my back quietly. No tears left to solemnize unorthodox prayer. I dripped in stolen alms instead. Hot water soaked my soul weighing me down I prayed I Read more

C. Streetlights

As a child, C. Streetlights listened to birds pecking at her rooftop, but instead of fearing them, was convinced they would set her free and she’d someday see the stars. Southern California sunshine never gave C. Streetlights the blonde hair or blue eyes she needed to fit in with her high school’s beach girls, her inability to smell like teen spirit kept her from the grunge movement, and she wasn’t peppy enough to cheer. She ebbed and flowed with the tide, not a misfit but not exactly fitting in, either. Streetlights grew up, as people do, earned a few degrees and became a teacher. She spent her days discussing topics like essay writing, Romeo and Juliet, the difference between a paragraph and a sentence, and for God’s sake, please stop eating the glue sticks. She has met many fools, but admires Don Quixote most because he taught her that it didn’t matter that the dragon turned out to be a windmill. What mattered was that he chose to fight the dragon in the first place. Streetlights now lives in the mountains with a husband, two miracle children, and a dog who eats Kleenex. She retired from teaching so she can raise her children to pick up their underwear from the bathroom floor, to write, and to slay windmills and dragons. She is happy to report that she can finally see the stars.