Meditation and Sex?
An older woman in long shorts and a T-shirt asked: “does that mean we can’t have sex?” Slightly embarrassed, the leader answered, “well it’s all a matter of how you feel personally, most people find that it pulls them away from meditating.”
And after the meditation class, the woman sauntered over into my conversation group and raised the topic again. Following that, she encouraged me to have children: “I have a son who goes to Yale and I would really encourage you to have children, it’s a wonderful experience.” Which made me muse for a split second about being an early mother, and in my early 40s taking vows to become a Buddhist nun.
Sex and spirituality … does being truly spiritual necessitate repressing your sexuality? Or when you become spiritual, does your libido just naturally wither away? Mine hasn’t, but then again, maybe I’m not spiritual enough yet (I missed this evening’s meditation class).
Hey Aventurina! Long time - it’s Han Lievens. Hope you’re well.
From my studies of Taoism and Buddhism, the ancient Chinese also believed that sex hinders the progress of one’s meditation practice. It is often attributed to the losing of “jing” or essence. The Taoists believed that jing (in both men and women) can be transformed into energy conducive to spiritual advancement through the proper meditation practice. This is why many practitioners believe in “not leaking” or ejaculating/”orgasming”. These ideas can be found in most ancient Taoist manuals and Tibetan Tantrism.
So I would answer you question by saying that it’s not about repressing sexuality but rather “overcoming” desire and controlling the urge to climax and concentrate on the lovemaking with the person you’re with. Interesting stuff!
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