Sexuality and Religion

[China Cat Sunflower]

The funny thing is that it's what you don't see that sells the whole thing. If everyone was to strip down and go naked the illusion would disappear. So a key component in perpetuating this psuedo-sexuality is having a modicum of repression, otherwise there's nothing to fetishize. In that sense moralism feeds decadence and vice-versa. Weird how that works.

Chris

[Muslimwoman]

Well that is an interesting point and very true in some ways. I always say that we Muslim ladies are actually creating the very desires in men that we are trying to avoid, by the way we dress. Imagination is often more attractive than reality.

I see your point that if we all ran around naked there would be nothing to objectify........... or would there? Look at some of the small tribes that do run around virtually naked, does it repress their sexual desires? Nope. So I think they demonstrate that sexuality is a much deeper emotion/desire than simply what we see and want.

[KarimK]

Spontaneously, I'd say the word that links "sexuality" and "religion" for me is : "guilt". Until I turned twelve, thirteen or so, and stopped believing, I used to have the worst guilt trips ever. I'm not saying religion always make us feel guilty about sex, but my particular religious education did.

I always say that we Muslim ladies are actually creating the very desires in men that we are trying to avoid, by the way we dress. Imagination is often more attractive than reality.

definitely. It's funny the way the hijab actually enhances the erotic aura of a woman like that. it's all the charm of a mysterious jewel one wants to uncover.

So a key component in perpetuating this psuedo-sexuality is having a modicum of repression, otherwise there's nothing to fetishize.

so true... just look at any porno movie : the woman always has to have something on her to remind the viewer she's not simply naked in a natural, acceptable way, but naked in a way that is "wrong" ()(i.e : the woman usually wears high heels, or a collar, or anything so that she's not completely naked)

Erynn, what are handfastings?

[Tao_Equus]

Sally, this is an old revived thread and the earlier posts are by people I never see now.

But since it has been re-started I'll throw in a few words.

I was this afternoon scanning some back issues of my filthy collection of magazines, I really must dust more often, looking for an article on gravity when I chanced across an article on sexuality. It was in the 17th January 2004 issue of New Scientist and is titled "Why Darwin was wrong about sex" (tried to get a link to it on the NS site but site seems to be down). The article is about the work of an evolutionary ecologist called Joan Roughgarden (no shaving jokes please), who postulates that same-sex relationships are the glue that keep many animal and bird societies together. Now it seems Ms Roughgarden was prior to 1998 actually a Mr Roughgarden. (I said no shaving jokes!!) She works at Stanford in California, a name that would give extra credit to anything she publishes. In the short article she self-references her own 'beliefs' without any substantive corroboration no less than 37 times. All she is doing is one almighty self-justification for her own lifestyle choices and calling it science.

Religion likewise forces people to search for and find justification for their chosen ideas on sex. Sex is many things and subject to many influences from personal emotional to societal/cultural bias to reproduction. Most of all it is a very very powerful part of our selves and one that causes deep confusions. I'd say it has nothing to do with religion and should be enjoyed whenever you feel inclined without guilt. But that it always works best with someone you love.

Tao

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by KarimK

Erynn, what are handfastings?

lol...the mind boggles to think what that might mean!!

[Chela]

In my view, and experience...

Sex is the power of the soul.

Sexuality is creativity. Sex always creates, or its inverse (destroys).

Sex creates children.

Sex creates, sustains, and (sadly) destroys relationships.

One's sexuality, and this is often unknown (and sometime highly contested), creates one's state of mind. The quality of one's sexuality is directly related with the quality of one's mind. The pineal gland, located in the brain, is the controller of sexual development, and this is irrefutable. Sadly, this gland is atrophied (calcified) in the the average adult.

A repressed sexuality results in a repressed psychology. A hedonistic sexuality creates a hedonistic sexuality. Etc. Etc.

The highest levels of eastern religion are sexual. They teach the transformation of the sexual function. Instead of using the sexual function to create children, or pleasure, they transform the libdio to create new levels of consciousness. This is the true understanding of tantra.

The sexual act performed normally may give a slight notion of the nature of this higher consciousness, but more than that it cannot do, since the energy, instead of being trapped and put to use, is expended... creating a new physical body instead of spiritual consciousness. – Thubten Jigme Norbu

The correct understanding of tantrism is something very difficult to achieve, because it has to do with neither repression, or indulgence. It has to do with transformation, transmutation, sublimation. This notion radically departs from the sexual education society usually departs upon us.

In the view of Tantra, the body's vital energies are the vehicles of the mind. When the vital energies are pure and subtle, one's state of mind will be accordingly affected. By transforming these bodily energies we transform the state of consciousness. – The Fourteenth Dalai Lama

Ojas is spiritual energy that is stored up in the brain. By entertaining sublime, soul-elevating thoughts of the Self or atman, by meditation, japa, worship and pranayama, the sexual energy can be transmuted into ojas shakti and stored up in the brain. This stored up energy can then be utilized for divine contemplation and spiritual pursuits. - Swami Sivananda

Throughout history, a universal idea has prevailed that sexual energy for non-procreative purposes can either be ‘used up’ in sexual activity or ‘contained’ for upholding the development of the body and the mind. This sex energy was seen as the fuel for opening these channels of experience, not only in the East but in the alchemy of the Europeans during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.– Gabrielle Brown, Ph.D., The New Celibacy

Those who practice transmutation awaken many latent talents from within. It becomes second nature to create and express, being in tune with the essence of creative energy.– Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, Raja Yoga

Now, the only way to transform the sexual energy is to first of all not eject it from one's organism. This, of course, is the basis of chastity or celibacy. But without proper knowledge of sexual transmutation, this practice become harmful, and instead of transformation taking place, repression does. This results in pederasty, secret relationships, masturbation, etc.

Unfortunately, it seems that vast majority of those who advocate celibacy no longer know how to pragmatically make use of the energy they store up.

The sexual energy, being the archetypal creative energy, is in fact the essence, or spirit of, the Creator. What is the essence of the Creator? What is the spirit of his existence? His creative energy. The creative energy is the power of God. And how does that energy manifest in us? Through our generative organs.

This is why the Spirit of God (Ruach Elohim) was hovering of the waters in the Genesis. The spirit of god the cosmic sperm swimming in the creative waters of the genesis of any moment in time.

Man and Woman united in the sexual act is a thing of paradise, of Eden... they are like God and Goddess in the act of creation. But what happens when they eat the fruit that was pleasant to the senses? What happened under the Tree of Knowledge? What happened when Adam knew Eve -- when they ate the fruit?

When a person, instead of expelling the creative energy, transmutes it through spiritual pursuit, this energy not only revitalizes and regenerates the human organism (regenerates the pineal gland), but returns it to its departing point carrying with it the experiences of life. This is how the essence of man comes to the know the essence of god. This is how God knows himself through his creation. This is how the continuum of life goes up and down and forms a the Holy Eight, the Infinite. Tantra means continuum, or more literally, loop of thread.

[Muslimwoman]

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Sally, this is an old revived thread and the earlier posts are by people I never see now.

I missed the party, typical. Well thank you, that explains why I don't know these people.

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

I was this afternoon scanning some back issues of my filthy collection of magazines,

I fear something in your education is lacking young man. New Scientist is not a filthy magazine - playboy, yes, fiesta, yes but NS, no.

[Muslimwoman]

Originally Posted by KarimK

definitely. It's funny the way the hijab actually enhances the erotic aura of a woman like that. it's all the charm of a mysterious jewel one wants to uncover.

May I ask all the gentlemen here a question about this issue.

I think most men would agree that a woman in hijab is actually quite provocative, because of the hidden fruits, even the purity aspect. But what about a woman in an Afghan Burkha? Not so sexy I assume?

Can you have a quick look at this link, it has 3 pictures of the same girl in 3 different modes of dress. Which is the most provocative and why?


Google Image Result for http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/11/21/leslie_comp_wideweb__470x241,0.jpg

[China Cat Sunflower]

I don't find hijab provocative. Hijab has the effect on me that I think is intended: I scan right past it. Look, I'm married. My number one priority is to stay married! Plus, I see people as people, not objects. I'm fully vested in that idea because I want to be the change.

Chris

[China Cat Sunflower]

There's an old thing about storing up your semen and channeling the frustration (energy) in some sort of magical way. I don't know about all of that.

Chris

[wil]

Originally Posted by Muslimwoman

Can you have a quick look at this link, it has 3 pictures of the same girl in 3 different modes of dress. Which is the most provocative and why?

Unfair representation I believe. In the pix identified hajib is #1 but the picture on the plane is not clear and not full face. I'd say in order to quantify they should all be equal...head shot, torso/head or full body and similar angles..

Yes the burka makes women disappear...like shadows sliding around the streets.

[greymare]

sex is an over rated past time and religion is something im still working on

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Muslimwoman

I think most men would agree that a woman in hijab is actually quite provocative, because of the hidden fruits, even the purity aspect. But what about a woman in an Afghan Burkha? Not so sexy I assume?

Most...straight...men...you mean?

Can you have a quick look at this link, it has 3 pictures of the same girl in 3 different modes of dress. Which is the most provocative and why?

Can I say I found the woman herself provocative. Provocative as in provoking me into thinking she's taking the wet.

I can't see how the first one can be "provocative" as one cannot see the person; unless one finds black material of itself "provocative". Which is not, I don't think, what you are referring to. That would just be an interest in textiles.

s.

[17th Angel]

Hijab sexy? Oh yeah... I get turned on by ninjas that pass in the night all the time.... :\ clothes can be sexy oh hell yeah, more than the simple naked flesh... But not hoods, masks robes and stuff.... Short cut hot pants... Wet tops.... Reveiling tops with like holes or some cut design... Lace... Tight leather..... High heels..... *puts his head in ice cold water* Oh... That's better... Sorry... Caught myself before it was too late. OOOH shame on me... I forgot, uniforms... Oh yea... You know you're loving that!

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by Muslimwoman

May I ask all the gentlemen here a question about this issue.

I think most men would agree that a woman in hijab is actually quite provocative, because of the hidden fruits, even the purity aspect. But what about a woman in an Afghan Burkha? Not so sexy I assume?

Can you have a quick look at this link, it has 3 pictures of the same girl in 3 different modes of dress. Which is the most provocative and why?


Google Image Result for http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/11/21/leslie_comp_wideweb__470x241,0.jpg

Hi Sally,

I certainly dont agree a hijab to be sexy. For example what is sexy about your avatar is not what you cant see but what you can. Simply she has beautiful eyes. The pale blue burkha worn in Afghanistan is simply hideous and in my opinion an insult to womankind. Why should beauty not be appreciated? Just because i think a woman beautiful does not infer that I lust after her. Quite the contrary,the reason I find a woman beautiful would be more akin to why an artist would choose a particular muse. Because there was something about her that was particularly striking, and for me personally, unusual. Indeed my idea of what constitutes great beauty does seem at odds with many of my friends, perhaps there is an unexpressed portrait artist in me somewhere. Beauty is also a small part of what makes a woman 'attractive' to me. Far greater than beauty in that regard is their personality and intellect. A dumb woman with silicone enhanced cleavage does nothing for me. I know I cannot hope to change your own opinions, and I do not want to, but to me the burkha will always be an affront to beauty as well as a symbol of oppression.

As for the 3 pics. It would be the middle one, because its the best image.



Tao