Cultivating sexual energy with Taoist Tantra

The Taoists of ancient China viewed sex as the principle upon which the universe and all fields of human existence depended for harmonious functioning: Sexual union gave life to all things. Sex was seen as a powerful life force energy that could not only bring great pleasure but could also heal the body of any in-balances.

The main focus of the Taoist teaching on tantra, or Dual Cultivation, is to move your Qi energy up your spine and then down the front channel in what is called the Microcosmic Orbit. The Taoist teachings see our sexual energy as something we cultivate and use to balance and heal our physical bodies with, and it is often thought of as being alchemical for that reason. In the East Indian form of tantra you are focusing mostly on bringing your energy up from the base of your spine to your crown to enter into ecstatic states of consciousness. But some of these methods have highly developed techniques that focus on how to run energy throughout your body and in connection with your partner’s body.

As a Tantrika I bring my attention to how I am running my energy with my partner. I actually see the pattern of energy in my mind going from me to my partner. Your bio-energetic field is being affected at all times. This field is the energy that surrounds your body, (see Cultivating Sexual Energy) So it appears that the Taoists and Tantrikas discovered, through a process of experimentation over hundreds of years, that it is possible to guide our energy by our thoughts.

So how does this flow of Sexual Qi work? Well, thougths are basically the electrical signals of your brain. Our brians are very powerful. Your brain cannot tell the difference between what is real or imagined. So whenyou breathe your sexual energy from one organ to another or one chakra to another, you are in reality doing just that. When you are directing your awareness elsewhere, such as visualizing a circuit through your body, you actually create a circuit. It may not be a very strong circuit to start out with but what happens over time, and with practice, is that it gets stronger and stronger. When this circuit stimulates areas of the brain theat connected to sexual and 'spiritual' pleasure you will experience exactly what the Taoists and Tantrikas describe.

When I began practicing tantra I did not at first feel my sexual energy being directed to my chakras or up my spine. But I just kept imagining that what I was doing and thinking was true. At some point after a few months I did begin to actually feel the energy in my body as I was directing it’s flow and this happened with very little effort on my part. One day it was just there. My brain got the message and my body responded. Now I feel it and see my energy flowing to wherever I am directing it.

It appears, therefore, that there is not only a large body of Eastern knowledge but also Western scientific research to confirm that the conscious direction of internal electrical energy can, and does, have a beneficial effect on our bio-electrical systems. (Beyond Tantra, Stephan Wik)

The cultivation of your Qi or sexual energy is essential to the practice of any form of tantra. The Taoist sages looked at their own energy as a total unit. As a young man or woman you earn 100 % of your energy and expend maybe 60-70%. But as you begin to age you earn less and expend the same. So you may find yourself feeling less energetic than when you were young. So in the Taoist teachings men are trained to withhold ejaculation and to redirect the flow of their energy, as well as to learn how to have an “internal orgasm”. A man’s semen is considered to be his life force energy directly related to his longevity. If his energy in general is depleted through too much ejaculation he can become physically weak.

The Chinese thought of sexual energy as a healing energy that when properly directed could heal any illness. This of course is the same principle that Qi Gong or Tai Chi is based upon, though the energy is developed through a different dynamic. I remember reading that even some doctors in China prescribed different sexual positions for various ailments. The patient would then go home and make love in that position for a period of time with excellent results. Just imagine going to a doctor today and instead of getting a drug prescription you get a prescription for a sexual position. I think you would be much happier carrying out your doctor’s orders. I know I would. At any rate, the cultivation of your sexual energy is crucial in learning how to store, circulate, expand and share your sexual energy.

What I have found after years of practicing some of these techniques is that after awhile they become second nature. Now when I am making love I automatically breathe, circulate and direct the flow of my energy. As a result I have experienced a deeper connection with my partner, especially when they are doing it too, as well as extending my orgasms. I have also been able to have what is called chakra orgasms, like heartgasms, or throatgasms or my favorite thrid eye, yes I said third eye orgasms. These are especially powerful for me and feel just yummy.

What I do know is that we are energetic beings and many of these practices have been around for thousands of years. Building your sexual Qi through specific sexual practices and healing your body is no different than doing a Qi Gong class, just a different form.

If you are interested in finding out more about Taoist Tantra or any of the Taoist practices I suggest you read some of Master Man Tak Chia's books, Cultivating Male Sexual Energy, Cultivating Female Sexual Energy, The Multiorgasmic Man and many others. (www.amazon.com) He was the first Chinese master to bring these sacred teachings to the West. www.universal-tao.com/