Verse Sixty-NineA person's approach to sexuality is a sign of his level of evolution. Unevolved persons practice ordinary sexual intercourse. Placing all emphasis upon the sexual organs, they neglect the body's other organs and systems. Whatever physical energy is accumulated is summarily discharged, and the subtle energies are similarly dissipated and disordered. It is a great backward leap. For those who aspire to the higher realms of living, there is angelic dual cultivation. Because every portion of the body, mind, and spirit yearns for the integration of yin and yang, angelic intercourse is led by the spirit rather than the sexual organs. Where ordinary intercourse is effortful, angelic cultivation is calm, relaxed, quiet, and natural. Where ordinary intercourse unites sex organs with sex organs, angelic cultivation unites spirit with spirit, mind with mind, and every cell of one body with every cell of the other body. Culminating not in dissolution but in integration, it is an opportunity for a man and woman to mutually transform and uplift each other into the realm of bliss and wholeness. The sacred ways of angelic intercourse are taught only by one who has himself achieved total energy integration, and taught only to students who follow the Integral Way with profound devotion, seeking to purify and pacify the entire world along with their own being. However, if your virtue is especially radiant, it can be possible to open a pathway to the subtle realm and receive these celestial teachings directly from the immortals.~ Translated by Brian Walker ~
I'm sorry, but I find this particular verse to border on hysterical! Angelic intercourse?
I've never figured out why religious Taoists seem so preoccupied with this overall topic. If you peruse the web, you'll find a multitude of sites that will explain -- often in graphic detail -- a variety of methods for improving and/or heightening the sexual experience. I'm certainly not suggesting that a person can't learn a new trick or two from outside source material, but it's not really needed.
Sexual expression is as natural as going to the bathroom, eating or sleeping. It just seems to me to be so out of place in a document of this nature. While I've never been accused of being a prude or overly modest, there are a few subjects I'm simply not going to address on this blog and this is definitely one of them! Consequently, while several verses of the HHC concern the topic of sexuality, this is the ONLY one that will be part of this miniseries.
This post is part of a "miniseries". For an introduction, go here.
I've never figured out why religious Taoists seem so preoccupied with this overall topic. If you peruse the web, you'll find a multitude of sites that will explain -- often in graphic detail -- a variety of methods for improving and/or heightening the sexual experience. I'm certainly not suggesting that a person can't learn a new trick or two from outside source material, but it's not really needed.
Sexual expression is as natural as going to the bathroom, eating or sleeping. It just seems to me to be so out of place in a document of this nature. While I've never been accused of being a prude or overly modest, there are a few subjects I'm simply not going to address on this blog and this is definitely one of them! Consequently, while several verses of the HHC concern the topic of sexuality, this is the ONLY one that will be part of this miniseries.
This post is part of a "miniseries". For an introduction, go here.
He He, I remember saying to you how the Hua Hu has some bits that speak to you and some that don't (not sure how I said it at the time).
ReplyDeleteThis chapter does smell a bit: It could be used by a bad teacher to abuse students, it could be misconstrued in many ways. Here though, rather than discount it completely we could see how it points to loving from within, loving the real person in a wholesome way, rather than lusting over the body.... perhaps.
But if that were the intention it would surely have been written differently, so we are left with the fact that this chapter and a few others do wrap some fairytale nonsense and some flowery prose around maybe a sentence or two of borderline wisdom.
Oh! Note how it is Chapter 69
ReplyDeleteYes, the irony of this being Verse 69 is not lost on me. I considered making a joke about it, but thought better of it. ;)
ReplyDeleteCould be, it means just exactly what it says. Sexual energy is one of the most powerful we have. Why else all the taboo around it.
ReplyDeleteWhy were so many of the teachings around sex not written, but only passed orally to a chosen few? Or, if written, sanitized and obfuscated? Where are the 'teachings' of Su Nu...the Basic Woman written?
Sexual energy is explosive.
(just asking...)
Re verse liushijiu --I hesitate to exploit the French-style arabic numeral joke --I think probably a lot is lost in translation here.
ReplyDeleteSexual practices are a big deal in certain Taoist circles (which I would not call religious.) Man Tak Chia (I'm not a fan) goes on and on about them. It's tantric stuff.
I think "angelic" is a strange word to use...something like celestial seems likely a more accurate translation.
You write:
"It just seems to me to be so out of place in a document of this nature."
But there it is. Would you read a book on Christian ethics (calling yourself a "philosophical" Christian, not that I'm suggesting you would) that happened to discuss the resurrection and say "but it seems so out of place." It's part and parcel of the tradition. I mean you don't have to accept it, but...
I would point out that on my retreats, sexual activities were discouraged or prohibited, not that I don't believe some of that was going on!
Can you point me to a place in your blogs where you define your understanding of "religious" Taoism; I think I am having a disconnect. If you mean all "mystical" or "transcendent" practices, then I understand better where you are coming from.
Bear in mind, I am looking at his is a sort of academic way.
How's it going man?
ReplyDeleteI found your blog recently and I like it a lot. That is why I wanted to inform you about my site, DEBATEitOUT.com. It's a site where anyone from around the world can come and share their thoughts towards controversial debate topics. I think that you could be a great contribution to the site. We have topics in every category, including religion.
Check it out when you get the chance.
Jason
i get what this verse is trying to say: when having sex (as with anything else) look for the spiritual aspect and use the experience to broaden your sense of love and expression. :) i totally get that.
ReplyDeletehowever tantric sex (which is what it seems to be describing) is only one of many ways to achieve this. sex can be wild and fun and kinky and "vanilla" and animalistic... whatever... and still be spiritual, as long as the connection is there.
Giggles. Well, that sounds like tantra to me. Good indeed.
ReplyDeleteSo... you said 'Sexual expression is as natural as going to the bathroom, eating or sleeping. It just seems to me to be so out of place in a document of this nature.'... Why would be out of place if sex is a natural as every other action in existency?. And everything is Tao.
It's just another tool as meditation, listen music, yoga, pranayama, and etc. etc. etc. So bad they use the 'angelic' word, a christian word, that obviously triggered your defensive. But is just a word in wrong place.
A 69 ironic verse. :D
There is a difference between fucking and making love -Taoists Everywhere lol
ReplyDelete