The Sexual-Spiritual Split

Sacred Sexuality

In our sexually obsessed culture, we are given amazingly little information about how to deal with sexuality in a healthy way. For many people, sex is even more seductive than money. Our media, advertising, and entertainment industries are filled with subtle and not-so-subtle messages about sex. The underlying thrust is all about beauty, sexual desire, and how important it is to buy the products or operations which will make us popular, more attractive, and better lovers.

And even though advertising and entertainment are filled with sexual innuendo, it is rare that you will find anything other than tabloids and women’s magazines talking openly about both the joys and challenges of sex. In many communities, homes, and workplaces, serious discussion of sexuality is a taboo subject.

It is also extremely rare that any of society’s many sexual messages even hints at the spiritual dimensions of sex. To those who have succumbed to all of these subliminal and overt messages, sacred sexuality might even seem like a contradiction in terms. Considering all of this, how can we transform sexual energy in our lives and in our world to better support the good of all of us?

Almost the opposite of societal conditioning, many of the world’s religions imprint negative beliefs of sexuality in their followers. For thousands of years, these religions have considered sex largely to be a base and vulgar act.

Sexuality gets little mention in the sacred texts of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. When it is mentioned, the suggestion is often to avoid it if possible in order to reach greater spiritual heights. Many monks and gurus also teach that we must refrain from sex in order to reach enlightenment. Yet none of us would be here without sex. There is virtually no spiritual instruction in how to deal with sexual urges other than to abstain. As a result, many people experience a split between sexuality and spirituality in their lives.

For a powerful, yet deeply personal exploration of the sexual-spiritual split by a wonderful workshop facilitator who was willing to explore his own wounds with workshop participants, please read the engaging six-page story at the link below.

Picucci, Sexual Spiritual Split