Sexuality in spirituality

I’m starting this thread because I’ve been thinking quite a bit about celibacy lately. I took a quick look through our archives, but honestly, I couldn't find anything that really hit the mark. Most discussions regarding sexuality and spiritual paths seem far too broad and superficial for my liking.

In this particular space, I would love for us to focus our discussion on how we might utilize sex, sexual energies, and specific techniques to facilitate spiritual growth and progress... perhaps even exploring the concept of sex itself as a fundamental spiritual principle.

I know I’ve mentioned this in a few other places on the forum already, but I’d like to once again recommend Osho Rajneesh’s little booklet, "Yoga, Tantra and Sex"—if I recall the title correctly, 😳.

Sexual rituals are woven into so many different spiritual traditions, ranging from tantra all the way to Western Hermeticism, so I find it rather curious that a dedicated topic like this hasn't been established yet 👋

I believe that book is translated as "Tantra - Spirituality and Sex."
Still haven't managed to swing by an Arke store to pick it up. 😢

Could you perhaps give me a rough outline of what a ritual involving sexual acts actually looks like? I'm curious about how all those different elements are woven together and such.

To begin with, I believe it is best to start with self-pleasure. One should truly get to know oneself before attempting to explore these things with a partner.

While it might sound unusual, using a sexual position where your head hangs off the edge of the bed—allowing the blood to rush to your head—is actually a fantastic technique for opening the third eye. You can attempt to meditate on the third eye, focusing on its opening and such... any meditation centered on the third eye works exceptionally well in this position.
Of course, if you happen to have any underlying health concerns, one ought to approach these practices with a bit more caution.

The rituals themselves follow a specific structure, much like any other practice; first, you perform a banishing and protection ritual, sit for a moment in meditation to clear the mind, and then proceed to masturbation, or rather, sexual stimulation. Once you reach a state where the body no longer requires physical stimulus, you begin the visualization process, which should culminate precisely at the moment of orgasm. This is followed by relaxation and a visualization of the ritual's conclusion. Finally, you perform the banishing ritual once more, and that is that.

Now, as for the visualizations... there are many varieties to choose from.
They can range from standard visualizations for energizing the body and chakras to drawing inspiration from Tarot cards. You could even try living through a myth by identifying with the protagonist... the possibilities are truly limitless.

Another excellent resource is Secrets of Western Tantra. It contains numerous described rituals and very useful advice. It even features an excellent chapter regarding BDSM and its application within sexual magic 👍 as well as explanations and descriptions of sensory deprivation and its uses.
Truly wonderful books 🙏

And one absolutely ingenious ritual is the Ritual Ring Kabbalah.
But really, one must read the entire book to fully grasp it.

Sensory deprivation used in that kind of context? That sounds incredibly intriguing. Have you actually experimented with it? 🙂 But seriously, when I stop to think about it, it seems like the perfect setup for that.
Thanks for breaking it down for me; I don't have any real experience in this area, so I honestly had no idea what that would even look like in practice.

To me, sex feels like such an inherently spontaneous need that any attempt to artificially ramp up sexual energy or intentionally provoke arousal feels, quite frankly, like a crime against the sanctity, purity, and innocence of love—both the love we hold for ourselves and the connection we share with a partner... In my view, any kind of calculated manipulation in that direction (whether it's magic or similar practices) essentially shuts the door on true spirituality. It’s only through pure spontaneity, that raw desire, and genuine affection for oneself and one's partner that we can ever reach a state of true, unadulterated ecstasy. Ultimately, all those dense, heavy theories regarding sexuality just boil down to those two simple elements, stretched out into hundreds of pages of unnecessary prose.

Emily Bailey2 said:Sensory deprivation used in that kind of context? That sounds incredibly intriguing. Have you actually experimented with it? 🙂 But seriously, when I stop to think about it, it seems like the perfect setup for that.
Thanks for breaking it down for me; I don't have any real experience in this area, so I honestly had no idea what that would even look like in practice.

I find the whole concept of deprivation to be quite a compelling area of study... I haven't personally combined it with sex yet, though I certainly hope to explore that eventually.🙂
Sensory deprivation is actually a pretty standard element within BDSM, frequently involving various types of masks to achieve the effect.

jack1 said:Andrew Sanchez572, with all due respect and without intending to be rude, I believe you might be starting off from a somewhat misplaced assumption regarding the very premise of this topic...☕

Please, do not be shy; I would appreciate it if you could elaborate a bit further.☕

wiredbear2 said:To me, sex feels like such an inherently spontaneous need that any attempt to artificially ramp up sexual energy or intentionally provoke arousal feels, quite frankly, like a crime against the sanctity, purity, and innocence of love—both the love we hold for ourselves and the connection we share with a partner... In my view, any kind of calculated manipulation in that direction (whether it's magic or similar practices) essentially shuts the door on true spirituality. It’s only through pure spontaneity, that raw desire, and genuine affection for oneself and one's partner that we can ever reach a state of true, unadulterated ecstasy. Ultimately, all those dense, heavy theories regarding sexuality just boil down to those two simple elements, stretched out into hundreds of pages of unnecessary prose.

Goodness, that is quite a heavy accusation...😢

But what are the actual arguments?

Are you implying that sexuality is exclusively a matter of partnership? Why would that be?
Isn't it also an instinct, a drive for life, unadulterated creativity, and pure energy?

Besides, no one was talking about provoking sexuality here; rather, the discussion was about the exploitation and manipulation of sexual energy itself.

Andrew Sanchez572 said:I find the whole concept of deprivation to be quite a compelling area of study... I haven't personally combined it with sex yet, though I certainly hope to explore that eventually.🙂
Sensory deprivation is actually a pretty standard element within BDSM, frequently involving various types of masks to achieve the effect.

Please, do not be shy; I would appreciate it if you could elaborate a bit further.☕

You should definitely give it a shot. 😉
Utilizing these techniques for ritualistic purposes seems incredibly compelling, especially considering how much the psyche shifts when one is stripped of their primary senses.

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Goodness, that is quite a heavy accusation...😢

But what are the actual arguments?

Are you implying that sexuality is exclusively a matter of partnership? Why would that be?
Isn't it also an instinct, a drive for life, unadulterated creativity, and pure energy?

Besides, no one was talking about provoking sexuality here; rather, the discussion was about the exploitation and manipulation of sexual energy itself.

An accusation? Not at all; it is simply my own way of experiencing the simulation of sexuality.
What kind of "arguments" could I possibly offer when we just view these things through such fundamentally different lenses?
That certainly doesn't mean I find it unappealing or that I wouldn't be interested in hearing about your experiences... 😉
For me, I tend to wait for arousal to happen spontaneously, and then I just lean into it, whereas you seem to be 'working on it' as if it were some sort of ritualistic task... 😉 Personally, I can't really imagine masturbating unless I've already become turned on naturally—it just happens, you know? 😉
And once that sensation takes hold, I might eventually try to meditate through it or attempt to direct that energy somewhere... likely moving it up and down through the body... 😁 Just as a way to delay the orgasm... 😳

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Goodness, that is quite a heavy accusation...😢

But what are the actual arguments?

Are you implying that sexuality is exclusively a matter of partnership? Why would that be?
Isn't it also an instinct, a drive for life, unadulterated creativity, and pure energy?

Besides, no one was talking about provoking sexuality here; rather, the discussion was about the exploitation and manipulation of sexual energy itself.

My God... what else could it be besides a matter of partnership? Even when you are alone, you are essentially acting as your own partner... or perhaps you're engaging with some sort of succubus... 😉
As I mentioned before, I am suggesting that sex stems from love, whether that is directed toward oneself or toward someone else...
(And as for who that "someone else" might be... well, I'll let you fill in the blanks...) 😉

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Goodness, that is quite a heavy accusation...😢

But what are the actual arguments?

Are you implying that sexuality is exclusively a matter of partnership? Why would that be?
Isn't it also an instinct, a drive for life, unadulterated creativity, and pure energy?

Besides, no one was talking about provoking sexuality here; rather, the discussion was about the exploitation and manipulation of sexual energy itself.

Bravo. 👍 Take a seat, you've earned it...

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Goodness, that is quite a heavy accusation...😢

But what are the actual arguments?

Are you implying that sexuality is exclusively a matter of partnership? Why would that be?
Isn't it also an instinct, a drive for life, unadulterated creativity, and pure energy?

Besides, no one was talking about provoking sexuality here; rather, the discussion was about the exploitation and manipulation of sexual energy itself.

And what does "inciting sexuality" or "sexual energy"—whatever you want to call it—really mean in this context? ☕
To actually harness that kind of energy, you have to generate it first, right?
So, how else are you going to conjure it up if not by provocation?

Well, that’s just raw instinct at work; I simply can't conjure something out of thin air if it isn't already there.

Are you capable of doing that? 🙂

Personally, I am perfectly capable of experiencing love even with myself...

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Well, that’s just raw instinct at work; I simply can't conjure something out of thin air if it isn't already there.

Are you capable of doing that? 🙂

Personally, I am perfectly capable of experiencing love even with myself...

Well, if you're wandering through the woods, I'll be taking the highway... 🙄 Instinct is something inherent to every single human being, a fundamental part of our very nature from birth, but that is fundamentally different from the actual energy that flows from that instinct—an energy that isn't always sitting right there inside you unless it's triggered by sexual stimulation or arousal... it simply isn't the same thing as the innate drive itself. 😉

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Well, that’s just raw instinct at work; I simply can't conjure something out of thin air if it isn't already there.

Are you capable of doing that? 🙂

Personally, I am perfectly capable of experiencing love even with myself...

So you're saying you can't? 😁

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Well, that’s just raw instinct at work; I simply can't conjure something out of thin air if it isn't already there.

Are you capable of doing that? 🙂

Personally, I am perfectly capable of experiencing love even with myself...

Bravo, 👍 truly... 😲 That is quite a feat...

If you would just take a moment to re-read my previous post... where I discussed the distinction between self-love (which, of course, encompasses making love to oneself) and the love we hold for another person... 😉

Alright, but why would "triggering" arousal be considered something negative? I don't want to just repeat everything you already wrote earlier...

Secondly, this thread isn't actually about finding ways to provoke sexual urges; it’s about how to control and channel that sexual energy once it’s already present or lying dormant.
Could you please try to stay on topic?
Besides, you claimed that magic acts as a tool of violence against love. 😳
And then you went as far as to say that magic essentially shuts out spirituality.

I can somewhat understand why you wouldn't want to trigger lust, but it is quite unrealistic to assume that arousal must be exclusively self-induced.
There is always an underlying desire to feel that way.
Can you eat when you aren't hungry?
By that logic, would you consider celibacy to be a form of violence as well?

I apologize for my rather rushed response to your first post; I am currently juggling two very heated debates in parallel, so my concentration isn't exactly at its peak right now.

Emily Bailey2, what have your own experiences been with deprivation? 😍

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Alright, but why would "triggering" arousal be considered something negative? I don't want to just repeat everything you already wrote earlier...

Secondly, this thread isn't actually about finding ways to provoke sexual urges; it’s about how to control and channel that sexual energy once it’s already present or lying dormant.
Could you please try to stay on topic?
Besides, you claimed that magic acts as a tool of violence against love. 😳
And then you went as far as to say that magic essentially shuts out spirituality.

I can somewhat understand why you wouldn't want to trigger lust, but it is quite unrealistic to assume that arousal must be exclusively self-induced.
There is always an underlying desire to feel that way.
Can you eat when you aren't hungry?
By that logic, would you consider celibacy to be a form of violence as well?

I apologize for my rather rushed response to your first post; I am currently juggling two very heated debates in parallel, so my concentration isn't exactly at its peak right now.

Emily Bailey2, what have your own experiences been with deprivation? 😍

It’s quite fascinating 😁 how even after just a few minutes, once you're deprived of sight and sound and stripped of the ability to move, your sense of time and space begins to dissolve entirely, while your tactile sensations skyrocket to an absolute peak... it becomes a total mental riot 😍

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Alright, but why would "triggering" arousal be considered something negative? I don't want to just repeat everything you already wrote earlier...

Secondly, this thread isn't actually about finding ways to provoke sexual urges; it’s about how to control and channel that sexual energy once it’s already present or lying dormant.
Could you please try to stay on topic?
Besides, you claimed that magic acts as a tool of violence against love. 😳
And then you went as far as to say that magic essentially shuts out spirituality.

I can somewhat understand why you wouldn't want to trigger lust, but it is quite unrealistic to assume that arousal must be exclusively self-induced.
There is always an underlying desire to feel that way.
Can you eat when you aren't hungry?
By that logic, would you consider celibacy to be a form of violence as well?

I apologize for my rather rushed response to your first post; I am currently juggling two very heated debates in parallel, so my concentration isn't exactly at its peak right now.

Emily Bailey2, what have your own experiences been with deprivation? 😍

Look, everything is fine. I totally get where you're coming from—you need to cultivate a certain sexual energy to get your work done, and you're willing to stir things up to reach that state. By the way, what a ridiculous word to use, but I suppose I have no choice... 🙄
As for whether I can eat when I'm not hungry? Sure, I can, but it’s just not enjoyable... 😉 Do you see my point? It’s simply not the same thing. It lacks that spark.
And is celibacy a form of violence? In a way, I'd say yes. But I really need more time to unpack that thought properly, and I have to head out now...

All the best, Andrew Sanchez572, and I truly wish you nothing but incredible, high-quality sex in November 2009. 🙂

Emily Bailey2 said:It’s quite fascinating 😁 how even after just a few minutes, once you're deprived of sight and sound and stripped of the ability to move, your sense of time and space begins to dissolve entirely, while your tactile sensations skyrocket to an absolute peak... it becomes a total mental riot 😍

That sounds wonderful, 👍 such a natural trip 🙂

wiredbear2, thank you so much for the kind wishes; I wish the very same for you—may your coming year be filled with plenty of high-quality, creative sex 😁

Andrew Sanchez572 said:I’m starting this thread because I’ve been thinking quite a bit about celibacy lately. I took a quick look through our archives, but honestly, I couldn't find anything that really hit the mark. Most discussions regarding sexuality and spiritual paths seem far too broad and superficial for my liking.

In this particular space, I would love for us to focus our discussion on how we might utilize sex, sexual energies, and specific techniques to facilitate spiritual growth and progress... perhaps even exploring the concept of sex itself as a fundamental spiritual principle.

I know I’ve mentioned this in a few other places on the forum already, but I’d like to once again recommend Osho Rajneesh’s little booklet, "Yoga, Tantra and Sex"—if I recall the title correctly, 😳.

Sexual rituals are woven into so many different spiritual traditions, ranging from tantra all the way to Western Hermeticism, so I find it rather curious that a dedicated topic like this hasn't been established yet 👋

It really does all boil down to the fact that it is all about sex(uality). Whether one chooses to practice left-hand or right-hand tantra, the conclusion remains identical—the expression of sexuality and its utilization in various ways releases the very energy required for our spiritual evolution.

wiredbear2 said:Look, everything is fine. I totally get where you're coming from—you need to cultivate a certain sexual energy to get your work done, and you're willing to stir things up to reach that state. By the way, what a ridiculous word to use, but I suppose I have no choice... 🙄
As for whether I can eat when I'm not hungry? Sure, I can, but it’s just not enjoyable... 😉 Do you see my point? It’s simply not the same thing. It lacks that spark.
And is celibacy a form of violence? In a way, I'd say yes. But I really need more time to unpack that thought properly, and I have to head out now...

All the best, Andrew Sanchez572, and I truly wish you nothing but incredible, high-quality sex in November 2009. 🙂

And why should she be the only one? 😢 🙄 😍

Look, my intention is for this to be shared with everyone 😁 rather than being reserved just for her 🙂

:blagosiljam:

What’s your take on this, hiddenhound3... do you feel that sexuality—even when integrated into spirituality—is more vital to women than it is to men?
☕

🤣 total lack of sexuality 🤣
that guy has to be Jesus himself

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Look, my intention is for this to be shared with everyone 😁 rather than being reserved just for her 🙂

:blagosiljam:

What’s your take on this, hiddenhound3... do you feel that sexuality—even when integrated into spirituality—is more vital to women than it is to men?
☕

Thank you, my dear Innocent... 😍

I find it somewhat redundant to debate the sheer importance of sexuality for one simple reason: it is fundamental. As I have previously noted, everything essentially revolves around it; even the concept of celibacy exists only because sexuality itself is such a powerful force. If sexuality did not exist, humanity would never have needed to invent the idea of celibacy 😉

Furthermore, people are incredibly diverse, possessing such vast differences in their emotional, intellectual, and spiritual foundations that I simply do not dare to make any broad generalizations. I am still a student of these matters myself 😍