Taoist Secrets to Sexual Bliss

FOXSexpert Yvonne K. Fulbright reveals some of the secrets to sexual bliss contained in Taoist “pillow books."

You want enlightened sexual bliss. But what does it take to get there? Far from unattainable, lovers of various spiritual traditions are seeking it via Taoist sexuality. What started out as a branch of Chinese philosophy and medicine, Taoist sex has been regarded as sacred sex for five thousand years.

The rewards it offers are huge. Sexual union is seen as key to health, longevity, and spiritual perfection. Equally appealing — practitioners claim greater sexual pleasure and sensations, stronger orgasms, and heightened spiritual energy in this earthly form of a greater cosmic dance.

Here are some of the secrets Taoist “pillow books” have been spilling when it comes to greater pleasure pursuits: Read more

Is Semen Retention Harmful?

Times Online sexperts Suzi Godson and Dr. Thomas Stuttaford give advice to a couple who practice Taoist sex without ejaculation and orgasm, and want to know if it is harmful. Suzi Godson answers by dismissing Tantra and Taoism:

I have to admit the whole tantra, mantra, Tao thing eludes me. Regular readers may remember that the last time we got a question such as this I hauled my poor husband to a Tantric sex workshop with disastrous results.

Dr. Stuttaford grudgingly allows that semen retention isn't harmful, but his negative bias shows when he uses the word "glorified" in his response.

The philosophy and disciplines glorified by the terms Tantric and Taoist sex are designed to allow a couple to have long sessions of lovemaking by prolonging the plateau stage of sexual response without having a complete orgasm and ejaculating. Advocates of Taoist and Tantric sex explain that the aim is to maintain a state of ecstasy for as long as physically possible and not to be preoccupied by the need to score an orgasmic goal.

Like Victorian schoolmasters and doctors, who believed that masturbation was a cause and a symptom of criminality and psychiatric disease, the Tantric and Taoist enthusiasts suggest that semen has a value in helping to maintain a man's health and vitality. Their supposition is that if semen is constantly wasted, the luckless fellow will be weakened and risk being reduced to a feeble wreck, a shadow of his former self. You may be assured that this is medical nonsense, and semen retention is not harmful. Read more

Despite their designation as "experts," Godson's and Stuttaford's answers illustrate why you should send your questions about Taoism and Tantra to practitioners - not sex advice columnists.

Cultivating Energy: Mantak Chia Interview

Dr. Patti Taylor interviews Mantak Chia, world-famous Taoist teacher of energy cultivation for increased health, well-being, and sexual mastery for both men and women. Mantak Chia almost singlehandedly popularized Taoist energy cultivation and sexual practices in the West. Dr. Patti explores the full range of Master Chia's thinking on the Taoist system of sexual energy cultivation, including practical exercises for men and women for cultivating sexual energy within themselves, ways to deepen heart energy, techniques for Taoist lovemaking, and more. Listen to the podcast