For centuries Taoism and Tantra have taught that sexuality is a tool to transform the spirit. Now recent research suggests that satisfying sex also has the capacity to heal the body and mind.

Intimacy Immunisation

When some of my patients revealed that a good “roll in the hay” eased their symptoms I was intrigued. There was the 40yr old man crippled with arthritis who found masturbation more effective than medication. A woman who sidelined crampy periods with a dose of premenstrual sexual healing and the carpenter who recovered from chronic back pain and depression after trying Taoist love making techniques. Investigating the phenomenon further I discovered a plethora of reports and anecdotal evidence supporting sexual energy as a powerful panacea. One of the most startling scientific experiments found that hamsters copulating freely remained healthy even after being injected with cancer causing drugs while their celibate compatriots dwindled and died from the same toxic injections.

We know arousal creates feel good chemicals which is why sex sells but can it cure conditions? Measuring the effects of the “shagadelic state” on brains and bodies has led to revelations that it boosts the immune system, releases powerful painkillers, elevates the mood to orgasmic heights and imparts a youthful glow. In fact, before spending a fortune on wrinkle cream a Scottish study suggests you should consider investing in a bit of nookie. When the research panel guessed the ages of 3,500 people they estimated that those who had more sex looked 7-10 years younger than they actually were.

Sexual suppression may be linked to certain diseases with an estimated one third of catholic priests dying from prostate problems whereas men who have sex a several times a week were shown to suffer fewer prostate problems.

Seed Saving

Ancient Tantric and Taoist teachings have always acknowledged the transformative potential of sexual energy. According to Ayurveda and Tantra health, immunity and vitality come from abundant ojas or the transformed creative essence of semen and ovum. This life-generating cream contains the concentrated nectar from all the cells, the culmination of all vitalising biological processes. It is this refined elixir that, when utilised properly, forms Amrita- or the fountain of longevity. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Taoism also attribute life energy to Ching or channelled procreative powers. This precious energy is to be expertly cultivated, conserved and circulated. Rather than wasting it Taoists aim to refine it just as raw honey is purified from its raw waxy form to the sweetest nectar. In women it contains the zenith of Yin and in men the potency of Yang- both essential for health and balance. Women are considered more fortunate than men as they naturally tend to retain this vital fluid since their reproductive organs are internal and they have a yin receptive nature whereas men loose it easily.

The Sexual-Spiritual Schism

Having considered the physical and psychological benefits of sexuality let’s venture into the minefield of sex and spirituality. For some it takes a mental leap to accept that sexuality and spirituality can be integrated. Our view of sexuality is filtered through the projector of past conditioning from cultural, religious and familial influences. Sex is such a deep-seated subconscious drive that, depending on our approach, it has the power to recreate or destroy us. According to our outlook we can see it as divine or depraved, a source of damnation or salvation, a process for procreation or pleasure. Whether we think it will degrade us to devil status or elevate us to angelic heights will decide whether it harms or helps us. Adopting the middle path between hedonism and asceticism, craving and aversion liberates us from restricting concepts, opening us to utilise sexuality for the highest good according to time, place and circumstance.

By introducing a sacred dimension to making love we take advantage of its transformative quality. As Georg Feurstein noted “The great ideal of a body-positive spirituality is to transmute the sexual energy, without squashing it and oneself, and to use it in order to intensify one's consciousness and one's erotic capacity.”