Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm by Nicole Daedone Summary

1. Orgasmic Meditation prioritizes female pleasure through 15-minute focused practice
2. Nicole Daedone redefines orgasm as sensation not just climax
3. Slow Sex teaches partners mindful attention over goal-oriented performance
4. OM practice requires daily 15-minute commitment from both partners
5. Better female orgasms come from slowing down and feeling
6. Slow Sex movement applies mindfulness principles to intimate connection
7. Orgasmic Meditation develops women's ability to communicate sexual needs
8. Nicole Daedone's method strips away bedroom performance anxiety completely
9. OM transforms female pleasure into daily spiritual practice ritual
10. Slow Sex offers structured 10-day program for couples starting
11. Orgasmic Meditation focuses on clitoral stimulation with precise technique
12. Female orgasm lasts longer when partners practice sustained attention

About the Author

Nicole Daedone is the author of Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm and a controversial figure in the wellness and sexuality space. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in gender communications and semantics and went on to found OneTaste, a San Francisco-based company that promoted a practice called Orgasmic Meditation (OM). The book explores themes of mindfulness, intimacy, and female sexuality, drawing parallels between conscious sexual practices and the Slow Food movement.

Daedone has authored multiple books since 2012, including a five-volume series called The Eros Sutras covering principles, relationships, and justice. She has appeared on major media outlets including NBC News and The Dr. Phil Podcast, and her work has attracted thousands of students seeking to explore alternative approaches to sexuality and connection. Her teachings integrate influences from Zen Buddhism, mystical Judaism, and her time living in intentional communities.

In 2025, a federal jury convicted Daedone of forced labor conspiracy related to her activities at OneTaste, resulting in her classification as a convicted felon. Despite the controversy, her earlier work continues to be studied and discussed in conversations about female sexuality and wellness practices.

FAQs About This Book

What is Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm about?

Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm introduces Orgasmic Meditation (OM), a 15-minute practice designed to help women achieve authentic sexual satisfaction through slowed-down, mindful connection. Nicole Daedone teaches couples to prioritize attention and emotional intimacy over novelty, offering a step-by-step 10-day starter program that combines extended orgasm techniques with principles from Zen Buddhism and mystical Judaism.

Who is Nicole Daedone and what is her background?

Nicole Daedone is the founder of OneTaste and creator of the Orgasmic Meditation practice. She graduated from San Francisco State University with degrees in semantics and gender communication, later studying under Dr. Dean Barnlund, an early collaborator of Alan Watts. Before founding OneTaste, Daedone established the avant-garde art gallery 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco and has been leading the "slow sex movement" for over two decades.

Who should read Slow Sex by Nicole Daedone?

Slow Sex by Nicole Daedone is best suited for couples who have strong foundations of trust and security but struggle with bedroom intimacy or emotional connection. The book appeals to partners seeking deeper spiritual and physical satisfaction through mindfulness rather than external aids like lingerie or toys. It's particularly valuable for readers interested in combining sexuality with meditation practices and those willing to commit to daily intimacy exercises.

Is Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm worth reading?

Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm offers a worthwhile perspective for couples seeking to deepen intimacy through mindfulness rather than novelty. The book's strength lies in its focus on attention and connection as foundational to pleasure, though critics note its limitations for relationships lacking basic trust or security. Some readers appreciate the practical exercises, while others find the 15-minute orgasm promise oversimplified for complex relationship dynamics.

What is Orgasmic Meditation (OM) in Slow Sex?

Orgasmic Meditation (OM) is a 15-minute partnered practice where one person strokes a woman's clitoris with focused attention while both partners tune into sensation. Nicole Daedone designed OM to combine extended orgasm techniques with meditative awareness, creating emotional and spiritual connection during the practice. The method emphasizes slowing down, staying present, and experiencing pleasure without goal-orientation, making it distinct from conventional sexual activity.

What does the 10-day OM starter program in Slow Sex include?

The 10-day OM starter program in Slow Sex provides step-by-step instructions for couples to begin practicing Orgasmic Meditation. Nicole Daedone structures the program to gradually introduce readers to the philosophy and physical techniques of OM, building comfort with vulnerability and focused touch. The book also includes supplementary exercises like Slow Oral for Her, Slow Oral for Him, and Slow Intercourse to enhance regular sexual experiences beyond the formal OM practice.

How does Slow Sex by Nicole Daedone address female body image?

Slow Sex by Nicole Daedone confronts the discomfort many women experience about having their genitals observed during intimate acts. The book encourages readers to challenge negative self-perceptions and societal conditioning that create shame around female sexuality. However, some critics note the book oversimplifies gender dynamics by generalizing that women have negative body associations while men have prideful ones, without acknowledging how pornography affects both genders.

What are the main criticisms of Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm?

Critics of Slow Sex argue that Orgasmic Meditation isn't applicable to all couples, particularly those lacking foundational trust and security in their relationship. Reviewers note the book's promise that "every woman can become orgasmic in 15 minutes" feels outlandish without addressing deeper relationship issues. Additionally, the decision to relegate men's experiences to an appendix rather than a dedicated chapter has been criticized as dismissive and incomplete.

How does Slow Sex differ from conventional sex advice books?

Slow Sex by Nicole Daedone rejects the novelty-focused approach of conventional sex advice that recommends lingerie, perfumes, mirrors, or toys. Instead, Daedone argues these external aids have limited effectiveness and advocates returning to basics—attention, presence, and emotional connection. The book positions daily intimacy and mindfulness as the true foundation of sexual satisfaction, challenging readers to slow down rather than constantly seek new stimulation.

What is the "slow sex movement" that Nicole Daedone founded?

The "slow sex movement" is Nicole Daedone's philosophy devoted to the art and craft of female orgasm through mindful, decelerated practices. For over a decade, this movement has emphasized tuning into sensation, deepening spiritual connection, and prioritizing attention over performance during sexual encounters. The movement gained thousands of followers through OneTaste retreat centers in San Francisco and New York, where Daedone taught workshops on mindful sexuality and relational healing.

Does Slow Sex address male sexuality and pleasure?

Slow Sex: The Art and Craft of the Female Orgasm primarily focuses on female sexual experience and satisfaction, with male content relegated to an appendix. While the book includes exercises like "Slow Oral for Him," the overall framework centers on helping women achieve orgasm through Orgasmic Meditation. Critics have noted this imbalance, suggesting the male perspective deserved its own chapter rather than supplementary treatment, which limits the book's holistic approach to partnered sexuality.

What spiritual traditions influenced Nicole Daedone's approach in Slow Sex?

Nicole Daedone's Orgasmic Meditation practice uniquely combines extended orgasm techniques with influences from Zen Buddhism and mystical Judaism. This spiritual integration transforms conventional sexuality into what Daedone calls "Eros"—a higher plane of consciousness that promotes human connection and flourishing. Her background in semantics and studies with early Alan Watts collaborators shaped her philosophy that intimacy serves as an entry point to deeper spiritual awareness and interconnectedness.