Michael Winn, President of Healing Tao USA, suggests that “The decline of religion in the West may have begun in the 60s when the experience of sex became more powerful than the spiritual experience offered by religion in prayer or fellowship.[1]”
For many, sex became a temporary escape from dissatisfaction. Yet, the sexual revolution of the 60s failed to provide the stability and fulfillment that people truly sought.
Taoists advocate for marriage only when it harmonizes the subtle energies of yin and yang, emphasizing the cultivation of one’s inner life-force or chi for true stability.
East and West Vs. Tao
Western sexologists frequently dismiss Taoist sexual energy management, citing a lack of scientific evidence, yet some Eastern and Western spiritual schools recognize its potential for spiritual growth.
The late Osho[2] once wrote:
“Religions are against sex because, down the centuries, they have come to know that sex is the most enjoyable thing for man. So [the strategy is to] poison his joy. Once you poison his joy and you put this idea in his mind that something is wrong with sex — it is a sin — then he will never be able to enjoy it, and if he cannot enjoy it, then his energies will start moving in other directions. He will become more ambitious [and easier to control].”
Osho’s premise is valid in that many religious leaders do try to enslave the minds of their followers through manipulative psychological techniques like condemning biological urges to redirect the energies of their students to the ambitions of the guru and his institution.
Setting aside the self-interests of some gurus, early Taoists and Indian sages were akin to scientists, grounding their practices in keen observations of human psychology and biology. They were pragmatists and sought a middle ground to create a spiritual and harmonic balance between men and women, following the natural laws of the universe.
The profoundly philosophical poetry of the Taoists, from the I Ching to Lao-Tse’s “Tao Te Ching” to the “Secret of the Golden Flower,” all testify to the sublime heights of their foresight.
In his book, Taoist Secrets of Love, Mantak Chia writes:
“Religions have nearly always tried to control the sexual habits of their followers. Their success seems to swing in cycles of the public submitting and rebelling, but I would guess that ultimately, they have failed because, for most people, the experience of sex is more powerful than their experience of religion. As a biological impulse, sexual drive so completely permeates our actions and desires that it is not easily harnessed by any system of belief, however dogmatic.
Hence the adage that prostitution is the world’s oldest profession.”
The efforts by modern religious institutions to dictate the sexual morality of their practitioners are a remnant of an earlier, more enlightened era when the spiritual experience was more powerful than the carnal pleasures of sex. The earliest Mystery Schools or Fertility Cults understood the role of sexuality in spiritual growth, which is why their rites and practices held such commanding experiences for their followers.
“Many modern spiritual leaders, whether Catholic, Jewish, or Hindu, etc., have forgotten the link in their religious rites that connect [the power of sex with] spirituality. Circumcision rites, Spring fertility festivals (e.g., Easter), and communion ceremonies are all remnants of a time when the esoteric and hidden meaning of sexuality was understood and incorporated into religion,” explains Chia.
The modern man’s mission is to shed restrictive religious beliefs and embrace the ecstatic inner self, revitalizing the role of sex as sacred and religion as a guiding light. Only by doing so can the crusty beliefs of the old religion fade away and take on a profound new meaning. In other words, only by accepting the act of sex as sacred can the role of religion be revitalized in society as a guiding light and not as a sharp prodding rod of conformity.
Taoism, on the other hand, is much different in that it is a spiritual philosophy of life and not a rigidly organized institution filled with frightened believers obeying a “holy” agenda written by so-called “enlightened seers.” Chia explains that “Faith in God (or the Tao) is not enough for the Taoist; devotion to higher harmony must be accompanied with the self-knowledge that comes from cultivating one’s own energy.”
The point is that a true Taoist does not blindly follow but attempts to elevate his consciousness to gain knowledge of the higher self fully. Every one of us has the same spiritual essence within, albeit uniquely individual, but unless this potential is properly nourished, its bearer will never experience its delicious fruit.
“The divine world within man is patterned after the natural world—as a child will never know his [or her] full self until adulthood, so must a man cultivate to maturity his subtle spiritual energy if he wishes to enjoy and participate in the fullness of the Tao,” explains Chia.
[1] From the introduction to Tao Secrets of Love by Mantak Chia
[2] Rajneesh, also known as Acharya Rajneesh, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Shri Rajneesh, Osho Rajneesh, and later Osho, was an Indian godman, mystic, and founder of the Rajneesh movement. During his lifetime, he was viewed as a controversial new religious movement leader and mystic; however, some of his opinions on sexual freedom are considered progressive today.
Excerpt from The Alpha Omega Male – A Spiritual Journey to Balanced Masculinity by Paul Rodney Turner, out soon. Visit AlphaOmegaMale.com to stay informed.
FAQ
Q: What is “The Alpha Omega Male” about?
A: “The Alpha Omega Male” explores the balance between spirituality and sexuality, advocating for a harmonious integration of religious beliefs and sexual vitality to achieve personal fulfillment.
Q: How does Taoism view marriage?
A: Taoism views marriage as beneficial when it harmonizes the energies of yin and yang. It emphasizes cultivating one’s inner life-force, or chi, for stability and vitality.
Q: Why do some Western sexologists dismiss Taoist practices?
A: Some Western sexologists dismiss Taoist practices due to a perceived lack of scientific evidence, though these methods are recognized by certain spiritual schools for their potential in spiritual growth.
Q: What role does sexuality play in spirituality according to the post?
A: The post suggests that sexuality, when embraced as sacred, can revitalize religion’s role as a guiding light, rather than a tool of conformity, fostering a deeper spiritual experience.
Q: How did the sexual revolution affect religious practices?
A: The sexual revolution of the 60s shifted focus from spiritual fulfillment to sexual experiences, challenging traditional religious practices and prompting a reevaluation of their role in personal satisfaction.
Q: What is the significance of chi in Taoism?
A: In Taoism, chi represents the natural inner life-force that should be cultivated for increased sexual vitality and overall stability, aligning with the philosophy’s emphasis on balance and harmony.
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