The Ecstasy of Tantra and Tao
Many people yearn for a different experience of sexuality, an enlightened union of sex and spirit with one's lover.
The Eastern philosophies of Tantra and Tao embody this kind of mind/body/spiritual approach toward sexuality. These disciplines seek to elevate the art of lovemaking, transforming intimacy into a form of worship, a journey of sacred self-discovery and an opportunity to transcend ordinary personal boundaries.
These belief systems evolved thousands of years ago geographically rooted in Tibet, China and India. Elaborate ancient texts describe lovemaking in detail with the essence of sexuality steeped in religious symbolism.
Tantra
Tantra is a philosophy and a belief system enacted through a variety of rituals, many dealing with activities of daily life such as eating, bathing and meditating. Other rituals worship the sanctity of the body including purifying the body for prayer; preparing the body for sexual activity, and a host of activities regarding specific sexual and spiritual acts.
Tantra reveres sexuality, viewing the act of sex as a form of divine worship, an intimate form of communication with a higher power.
Tantra is still evolving when it comes to religion, symbolism and the path to the divine. What we all do know and feel, however, is that Tantra is becoming synonymous with the concept of "spiritual sex" or "sacred sexuality.
The principle, once again, is that sex should not be regarded as merely a pleasurable sensations but a sacred act of "worship" if you will, one that could even lead to a more sublime state of mind or spiritual traveling experience.
The Expanded Orgasm: This refers to an experience that seeks to heighten the orgasm of the male or female, so that it goes well beyond the norm. Some people describe it as a "full body orgasm" rather than a genital orgasm. Allegedly, some people (including Patricia Taylor, PhD) have documented cases of individuals orgasming for an hour or even hours upon adequate stimulation. Here we see the "bliss" of Tantra and other eastern disciplines; the orgasm is oftentimes related to the entrance of divine thought and feeling.
Orgasm Control: The second part of sex magic is that of putting off orgasm, or orgasm control. This involves a person (male or female) achieving a high level of sexual arousal for a long period of time, but refraining from ejaculation or orgasm. This is due not only to heighten the orgasm later on but also to help the other partner (usually female) reach orgasm at the same time or within a short time. This is the disciplinary action, the mental exercises, that Tantra stresses so that lovers can get their minds out of the typical genital response cycle, and instead think "bigger."
Tantra has become synonymous with the concept of "spiritual sex" or "sacred sexuality. The principle, once again, is that sex should not be regarded as merely a pleasurable sensations but a sacred act of "worship" if you will, one that could even lead to a more sublime state of mind or spiritual traveling experience.
The Expanded Orgasm: This refers to an experience that seeks to heighten the orgasm of the male or female, so that it goes well beyond the norm. Some people describe it as a "full body orgasm" rather than a genital orgasm. Allegedly, some people (including Patricia Taylor, PhD) have documented cases of individuals orgasming for an hour or even hours upon adequate stimulation. Here we see the "bliss" of Tantra and other eastern disciplines; the orgasm is oftentimes related to the entrance of divine thought and feeling.
Orgasm Control: The second part of sex magic is that of putting off orgasm, or orgasm control. This involves a person (male or female) achieving a high level of sexual arousal for a long period of time, but refraining from ejaculation or orgasm. This is due not only to heighten the orgasm later on but also to help the other partner (usually female) reach orgasm at the same time or within a short time. This is the disciplinary action, the mental exercises, that Tantra stresses so that lovers can get their minds out of the typical genital response cycle, and instead think "bigger."
The sexual rituals culminates in a sublime experience of infinite awareness for both lovers. Tantric texts specify that sex has three distinct and separate purposes-procreation, pleasure, and liberation. Lovers seeking enlightenment may avoid frictional and opt for a static embrace with deep eye gazing.
The sexual act balances energies coursing in the channels of both partners. When the Kundalini force, a psycho-spiritual energy, the energy of the consciousness, is awakened is spirals upwards in the body. This kindles sexual energy which is harnessed for union with the spiritual. Both partners dissolve into a state of cosmic consciousness.
One of the basic tenets of Tantric teachings is a man riding the wave of sexual arousal without ejaculating. He is able to experience extreme pleasure through meditation and deep breathing. With practice a man can learn the art of arousal without ejaculation allowing himself and his partner prolonged time for mutual exploration.
In this heightened state of arousal, lovers can transcend the physical act of sex characterized by rubbing and friction, and climb toward a spiritual exchange of souls. This is often called The Soul Orgasm.
Taoism
The fundamental teachings of Taoism are based on the teachings of its founder Lao Tzu who believed that energy flows throughout all life.
In ancient China, Taoist masters were respected for their specialized knowledge of human sexuality. Sex was not merely a physical act, but a way of attaining a long and healthy life. Sexual energy was associated with vibrant health, sharp senses, an intelligent mind, and the balancing of masculine and feminine energies, the yin/yang
Taoists believe that when lovemaking occurs partners "join energy" and thus experience a wealth of health and spiritual benefits. Sex involved universal energy (qi) and a balancing force (jing).
Preserving the precious jing was of utmost importance for a man to maintain good mental and physical health.
The most potent form of jing was semen. Therefore, the more a man ejaculated, the more likely he would deplete his jing, robbing himself of essential nutrients.
Above all, Taoists believed that ejaculation should be withheld to allow the elements in the ejaculate to circulate throughout the body like a highly potent vitamin pack.
Tara Livingston is a sex surrogate and sex educator in Los Angeles with a private practice for more than 25 years. She blends sacred sex with modern sexological techniques to help clients resolve sexual and intimacy problems.