Sex is the natural, logical extension of love – love that couples share for each other. Yet more than any other activity within the ambit of human endeavour, Sex has elicited the maximum opinion from individuals, societies and religions throughout history. For it is Sex alone that is mundane and everyday, yet also mystical, almost divine. Almost every religious system has something to say about sex either overtly or covertly. People have through the ages extolled the virtues of abstinence while others have preached the healthful benefits of a normal sexual life. We all agree that as a source of pleasure for humans, indulgence in sex is a rare high! So there you have it – whatever you do, you just can’t ignore sex.
Fragonard's 'Happy Lovers'
In the ancient World, sex was far from being the taboo subject that many societies later made it. In fact the ancients did a considerable amount of research into the phenomenon of sex, and its apparent role in human evolution. Historians would argue it was the values of the Victorian era that largely stigmatized sex, especially if it were practiced outside of the narrow confines of what was deemed proper. Strangely, while the West underwent a sexual revolution in the 1960’s, the Asian cultures that the colonial era had indelibly influenced are only now gradually ‘opening up’ to sexuality. Whereas India has a rich history of sexuality depicted in Art and Mythology, modern-day Indians outside the big cities cringe at the sight of even kissing on the cinema screen! Continue reading
According to legend, Shiva is known as Adi Guru (the First Teacher) from whom all Yogic knowledge originates. So I’ll share with you my favorite Shiva legend; which amply demonstrates the need to have a well-rounded approach to Spiritual seeking. (Shiva in this story stands for Liberation)
