Enough on the 'Sex' Threads, Please ...

[Guest guest]

I have now received what I would consider to be a critical mass of

offline requests from members to tone down the sex-themed discussions

that have dominated the board for the last few days.

 

What this preponderance of sex-related posts means, I am not sure.

Perhaps many of our more serious sadhaks are off board these days, too

preoccupied with observing the Navratri holiday as we approach its

halfway point tonight. It would be quite wonderful to believe that

this is so.

 

For the rest, I would merely note (as has been noted before by wiser

people than I) that sex is but a single small aspect of tantra, albeit

one of the more sensationalistic ones. Unfortunately, it is also the

aspect most prone to misunderstanding and misinterpretation,

particularly by newcomers and others who understand little or nothing

of the traditions and contexts from which and within which such

practices emerged.

 

Moreover, while there is certainly nothing wrong with good sex, per

se -- it's part of healthy, normal life, and it can be a lot of fun --

there is very little relationship between ordinary (or even

extraordinary) sex, and Tantric maithuna. They are two different

things altogether. Those coming from outside the tradition may find it

exciting and inspiring to find a religious system that does not

condemn human sexuality and even seeks to harness its energy as a part

of sadhana. But the fact is, Shaktism accepts sex because it is a part

of life. It does not elevate sex to central importance. It gives sex

precisely the same importance it has in everyday life: It is central

when the time is right, but on a day-to-day basis it takes up a rather

small percentage of our many essential daily activities. So it is with

maithuna.

 

Harnessing sexual energy through the practice of maithuna is neither

physically pleasurable or mentally tittilating. It is a spiritual act

requiring great restraint and discipline, and strict adherance to

given procedures. It is a form of puja. Anything less may provide

great pleasure and excitement and fulfillment, but it is not to be

confused with maithuna and therefore does not really belong in this

discussion group.

 

As I see it, to devote 90 percent of group discourse to a topic that

only a few of the most serious sadhaks know well does a disservice

both to the larger subject of Shakti Sadhana (which extends far beyond

sexuality issues) and to this sacred place dedicated to the

glorification and worship of Devi.

 

Epecially now, during Her most holy festival, I believe that our

discussions should rise to a higher plane.

 

DB