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Most of the dominant religions in the world today are preaching the suppression of the sexual urge or the channeling of that urge into socially acceptable forms. For example, Roman Catholics used to be very sexually explicit and open people. After a man who, in his youth, was sexually explicit converted to Catholicism and pledged selibacy for himself; he became a priest by the name of St Augustus. St. Augustus arose the birth of moral laws in Christianity when the first law he brought into public light was that there would be no fornication unless it was for strictly procreational reasons. In any case, this moral law led to making adultary illegal, just as it is by today's standards. Though many people today do not necessarily follow "moral laws" or, even their own religion's belief about sex, there is still a connection between sex and spirituality. There are ancient practices such as tantra, tao sexology, and (namely) Kama sutra, which tends to be the most practiced and well known of the three in western culture. Which ancient traditions chose to include sexuality as a spiritual act? Some sects of early Christianity incorporated sexual rites into their religious practices; all of these sects were persecuted into extinction by the Roman Catholic Church once it was able to successfully inundate its political standing on Roma as the sole religious institution of Europe. The Sumerians performed the Sacred Marriage, a union between a priestess of their goddess, Inanna, with a priest-king, as a means of obtaining the favor of this goddess for their cities. Greece referred to this type of ritual sex as the Hieros Gamos; and as evidence has shown, it was also practiced by the Egyptians in the cult of Isis up until the Roman era. Hints from various ancient sources indicate that a Hieros Gamos may have been part of the Eleusinian mysteries. "Because the mysteries were secret, little is known of them. Presumably fasting and ritual purification in the sea took place before the large procession from Athens to Eleusis. The rites, which fundamentally celebrated the abduction and return of Persephone, symbolized the annual cycle of death and rebirth in nature as well as the immortality of the soul"(CEE, 1). In India, the Tantric tradition, overseen by the god Shiva and his partner Kali/Parvati, continued for hundreds (possibly thousands) of years before being incorporated into Buddhism. But, what is Tantra? "Tantra is a spiritual science, which means it is also mystical, in its interconnectedness, the holistic wisdom link between ourselves and the universe we inhabit"(Douglas, 3). Participants of Tantra seek enlightenment and union with the Divine through sexual rites and other forms of meditation and ritual. Tantra Sacred Sex is about spiritual awakening. It helps people put aside their individual egos and allows them to experience their loved one whole-heartedly. It awakens their souls innate feelings of love and trust through unconditional love for God (whichever God one may celebrate). This God is called the Divine. After Tantra was brought to China by traveling monks, it was combined with Taoist philosophy and Chinese medical theory, and was used by those who sought to increase health and (in some cases) achieve physical immortality (through sexual techniques thought to prolong the vitality of its participants). In essence, by keeping them young. "The ancient Taoists, developed a complete, detailed, and scientific system of knowledge which comprises many principles of food preparation, exercise, healing, sexology, etc. " (Chang, 1). It is the most ancient system of knowledge in recorded history. Taoists hoped to elevate self-healing to its fullest potential, to energize the whole body, to defy time. They believed that sexual energy is a tool in achieving the Ageless Body. Taoists found that by way of the hormones and their master glands, they connected to sexual function. They believed that the body stays in a "perpetual state of juicy" youth. That same orgasmic rush that flushes precious energy from the body can be orchestrated and turned upward to vitalize our entire being. It can also be transformed into creative feats and great powers of knowing or healing" (Griscon, 1). Finally, in the ancient writings of the book Kama Sutra written by an ancient Indian sage, Vatsayayana, the he art of sexual positions is discussed. It is one of Hinduism's oldest writings. It is a spiritually based sex manual, emphasizing pleasure, intimacy and awakening of spirit. "If a man is unable to satisfy a ... woman, he should have recourse to various means to excite her passion" (The Kama Sutra). Essentially, a man, in any means possible must please women. A common question in couples is how to attain maximum pleasure, especially for the woman. Interestingly, many of the teachings in the Kama Sutra include allusions to nature, such as suggestions that lovers should emulate the behaviors of animals. Vatsayama writes that lovers may want to exhibit the characteristics of animals during lovemaking, by acting like a dog, a bull, a tiger and so on. The word “yoni” is used to represent a woman’s vulva (or the commonly used term, vagina) and the “linga” represents a man’s penis. In order to illustrate such ideas, here are some positions as described in the Kama Sutra:  Catching your penis, the lady with dark eyes like upturned lotus petals guides it into her yoni, clings to you and shakes her buttocks: this is "Charunarik*censored*a" (Lovely Lady in Control).  Enthroned on your penis, she places both hands on the bed and makes love, while you press your two hands to her thudding heart: this is "Lilasana" (Seat of Sport)  She sits upright upon you, her head thrown back like a rearing mare, bringing her feet together on the bed to one side of your body: this is "Hansabandha" (The Swan).  The round-thighed woman on the bed grasps her ankles and raises high her lotus feet; you strike her to the root, kissing and slapping open-palmed between her breasts: this is "Markata" (The Monkey).  When, like a mare cruelly gripping a stallion, your lover traps and milks your penis with her vagina, it is "Vadavaka" (the Mare's Trick), which can only be perfected with long practice  Seated, mouth to mouth, arms against arms, thighs against thighs: this is "Kaurma" (The Tortoise). These are examples of only a few of over 40 different positions. Though not all of the positions in the Kama Sutra include animal’s names or references, many of the positions are based off of observances made from animals mating. There are several advantages of spiritual practices in relation to sex (Melchizedeic, 44). These include: 2. Enhanced perception of the Divine in all aspects of your life 3. Intensification of pleasure, both sexual and otherwise 4. Deeper intimacy, not only in your romantic relationships, and but in all relationships 5. Release of negative conditioning 6. Deeper sense of communion with the Divine Of course with any positive there is a negative. Though out-shadowed by the positive aspects of spirituality and sexuality, there are some reprocussions that come with such physical and mental activity. There is potential for physical discomfort since sacred sex techniques increase the flow of energy through your body, and can aggravate existing physical conditions. There is also potential emotional discomfort. This is because sacred sex techniques require a great deal of honesty and as you begin to explore your sexuality, you will be exploring your entire being (your whole self). Sexuality touches all areas of the psyche. Negative mental conditioning and/or negative experiences may cause repressed emotions. Through this spiritual weakness will be brought to the surface of your consciousness, where you will be forced to deal with them. For many, dealing with ailing sub-conscious feelings, thoughts, and memories can prove fatal. Only the strong willed ought to attempt intertwining this spiritual and sexual awareness; for it may prove detrimental to one's peace with their religion, their soul, and sense of self. The Kama Sutra, Tantra and the Tao are a body of ancient techniques and positions that can take sex out of the ordinary. Sacred sexuality is a form of spirituality that sees sex as a means of experiencing or communing with the Divine. Sacred sex harnesses the power of sexuality for the purposes of accelerating personal transformation and enhancing spiritual growth and has been practiced throughout recorded history: in India, Tibet and China; and throughout the Middle East and Europe. Sacred sexuality is a state of ecstacy. Its participants use sex as a means of inducing an ecstatic trance state (meditation) which enhances their perception of the Divine and reduces or eliminates their sense of themselves as separate from the Divine. However this mantra is achieved, its results are captivating and its popularity is beginning to grow with every person whom will allow themselves to be subjected to a new kind of lovemaking. Bibliography: klWork Cited Burton, Richard (translator). Vatsayayana: Kama Sutra. Translated in 1883. Original writings are unknown. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Tantra. Columbia University Press: 2000. Chang, Steven Dr. Sex and Rejuvination: Taoist Style. Cosmopolitan Press:1999. Douglas, Nik. Spiritual Sex. “What is Tantra?” Sebastopal, CA: 1995. Griscom, Chris. The Ageless Body. Light Institute Press ISBN: 1992. Melchizedek, Drunvalo. The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life: Volume I. Light Institute Press ISBN: 1994. Muir, Charles and Caroline. Tantra:The Art of Conscious Living. Light InstitutePress: 1999. Kouhia, Juhana. Love Teachings of Kama Sutra. 1996: http://www.funet.fi/~kouhia/kamasutra.html Word Count: 1527
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