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Taoist love treatises teach that the older the man, the less frequently he should ejaculate. Here a younger woman acts out the role of a sex initiatress, bestowing longevity on her partner. From a Chinese painting of the mideighteenth century.

One should not eject this "camphor" [semen] casually. It is from this substance that the

Yoginis have their origin. Its nature is that of the Supreme Joy.

It is indestructible and luscious, as pervasive as the sky.

HEVAJRA TANTRA

ejaculation

The Plain Girl informs the Yellow Emperor that a man should regulate the frequency of ejaculation, according to his strength or weakness, but should never force himself to ejaculate. She states categorically that every time a man forces himself to ejacu-

late, his whole bodily system is harmed. Indian works and Tantric treatises share this position.

The Plain girl declares:

Every man should regulate the emission of semen according to his store of vital essence. He should never force himself to ejaculate. If he should do so, then his body will be harmed . A young and strongly built man can af-

ford to ejaculate twice daily, but thin ones only once. A strong man of about thirty years of age can afford to do so once daily, whereas a weak man the same age should only do so once every two days. A strong man of forty years can ejaculate once every three days, but a weak man this age should do so only every four days. Strong men of fifty can safely do so every five days, whereas a weak fifty-year-old needs a rest of ten days. Strong men of sixty may healthily ejaculate every ten days, but weak men of this age need twenty days in between. A strong man of seventy years can ejaculate once a month without harm, but a weak one that age should not ejaculate anymore.

The Taoist master Peng Tsu describes the symptoms of forced ejaculation as "buzzing in the ears, tiredness of the eyes, worn-out limbs, and a very dry throat." He advises restraining ejaculation, stating that this practice strengthens the vital essence and increases clarity of hearing and acuteness of vision. He adds, "Through the repression of his passion during love-making, the man's love for the woman will increase. It is as though he could never get enough of her." Another text takes the extreme position that a man should "make love scores of times in one day, without ejaculating even once, since this will cure all disease and increase longevity."

The choice of whether or not to ejaculate is best left to the man. A woman should be able to intuit the physical needs of her lover as well as her own. She should not demand that he "come" every time they make love together, but rather should adapt herself to experience love in new and different ways. Both Taoist and Tantric teachings stress that the Western view of sex as a race to climax and physical collapse is both physically limiting and psychically damaging. In contrast, the East sees in physical love the potential for bringing both partners to new heights of ecstasy time and time again.

Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Alice Stockham proposed a love-making technique that she termed Karezza. She wrote:

The ordinary hasty spasmodic method of cohabitation, for which there has been no previous preparation, and in which the wife is passive, is alike unsatisfactory to husband and wife. It is deleterious both physically and spiritually. It has in it no consistency as a demonstration of affection, and is frequently a cause of estrangement and separation. Karezza so consummates marriage that through the power of will and loving thoughts, the crisis is not reached, but a complete control by both husband and wife is maintained throughout the entire relationship, a conscious conservation of Creative Energy.

Her book Karezza: Ethics of Marriage is an enthusiastic endorsement of ancient Taoist and Tantric love techniques. Like the Taoist Initiatresses, she states, "Although woman has not the semen to conserve, yet equally with man she has the thrilling potency of passion, that when well directed, heals sensitive nerves, vitalizes the blood, and restores tissue. In this deeper, truer union, the very heart of Karezza, woman as well as man prevents and cures disease. Karezza has a therapeutic value not equaled by any remedy of pharmacopoeia, or by any system of healing." The techniques that Alice Stockham taught were no different from basic Eastern practices of semen retention. We shall be examining these over the next few sections of this book.

A couple can certainly benefit from learning how to control their physical orgasms. However, it is by no means necessary, or even advisable, to refrain from ejaculation indefinitely. A balanced sexual relationship

Both the Original Semen and that which is ejaculated during sexual union are essentially the same. Before the sex act, the semen is distributed over the entire body; it has no fixed location, but dwells in a condensed form within the Original Spirit. It is this aspect that is referred to in classical texts as the Original Semen. When a man and a woman make love, the semen is drawn down from all parts. A place in the inner part of the head [the pituitary gland] causes the semen to descend along the spine to the lower region. Other aspects of semen are drawn from the different organs of the body, such as the kidneys and bladder.

TS'UNG-SHU-CHI-CH'ENG

If a man repeatedly misses the right rhythm of love-making, his vital essence will be drained. The effect of incorrect rhythm is forced ejaculation, which rapidly causes exhaustion. As a result of this, over a period of time, the

Hundred Diseases develop in the body.

YU-FANG-PI-CHUH

breath, thought, and semen

One of the most important contributions of the East to the mysteries of sex is its thorough understanding of interconnections between three seemingly separate processes: breathing, thinking, and the production of semen. Tantric and Taoist teachings pro - vide precise and practical information on this subject.

According to Tantra, the stabilization of breath, thought, and semen is one of the most important of the sexual secrets. By gaining control of these three, it is possible to ascend the evolutionary path of transcendental love. Many of the more advanced Yoga practices deal exclusively with this threefold task.

During normal love-making, the sensual elements (the senses and their organs) are stirred by the force of emotion. Breathing becomes quickened and the imagination is excited. As the movements of love proceed, the metabolism of each partner becomes changed: the heartbeat and circulation alter, and the glands begin to secrete sex hormones. The natural links between the increased rate of breathing, the excitation of the mind, and

the sudden sexual climax with ejaculation give us the clue to understanding how to control and separate these different functions. In this lies one of the fundamental secrets of Tantric sex.

Tantric love-making implies conscious control of breathing, thinking, and ejaculation during physical union. Breath control is actually very simple, depending mainly on conscious awareness of the rate and depth of breathing. By directing our attention to or contemplating our breath, we bring an unconscious, parasympathetic process under conscious control. Tantric love-making is best accomplished when the breath is deep, rhythmic, and drawn through the nose. Once the breath is brought under control, lovemaking and energy circulation can continue almost indefinitely.

Meditation stabilizes thought. One-point- edness of mind, the goal of all Yogis, is, paradoxically, both simple and difficult. Tantric Mantras ("protectors of mind") and Yantras (forms for the mind to grasp) can greatly assist in stabilizing the mind. A stabilized mind leads to total absorption, the merging of the individual with the transcendental.

During Tantric love-making, meditation plays an important role in assisting the stabilization of thought. During normal intercourse, it is the "thought of orgasm" that brings one to it. Tantric sexual techniques emphasize the importance of controlling and

So long as the breath is in motion, the semen moves also. When the breath ceases to move, then the semen remains at rest.

GORAKSA SAMHITA

transforming thought. This, in turn, leads to transcendental ecstasy. As the popular Tantric axiom states, "One may rise by that same thing by which one may fall."

Stabilization of semen is directly linked to stabilization of breath and thought. Semen is also stabilized by correct diet, health-

ful lifestyle, and therapeutic love-making. If a man can consciously control breath, thought, or (preferably) both, he will never be subject to involuntary ejaculation, or meaningless loss of life essence, but rather will realize his full potential for conscious giving.

Taoist love-posture for causing semen to rise while practicing retention. From a Chinese engraving for the erotic novel Su Wo P'ien (The Moon Lady), circa 1610.

retention

The retention of semen and the conscious control of ejaculation are dealt with at length in Eastern treatises on sex. Various techniques, some complementary, are utilized. All are based on the

knowledge of the relationship of breath, thought, and semen. We will describe certain methods that are both

simple and practicable.

A Taoist book of the Tang dynasty (circa A.D. 618-907) clearly states:

When a man feels he is about to ejaculate semen, he should close his mouth and open his eyes wide. In particular, he should try to stabilize his breath, holding it if possible, but without forcing anything. By moving his hands up and down and breathing only with movements of the lower abdomen, he will gain control over breath and semen. The spine should be kept straight. If necessary, he should press the Ping-i acu-point [one inch over his right breast] with the index and middle finger of his left hand, then let out his breath, at the same time gnash-

ing his teeth. This action will definitely cause the semen to be retained, so that it can freely ascend and benefit the brain. If semen is emitted freely, it will cause harm to the spirit.

Notice that in this account, both physiological and psychological techniques are employed. Any conscious movement, such as the hand motion described above, helps to control and circulate energy and focus the mind. Pressure of the acupuncture point above the male right breast creates a "short circuit," which aids retention. The index and middle finger of the left hand are connected to the large intestine (the region of the navel center) and the sex energy/circulation meridians, respectively. Gnashing the teeth produces profuse salivation which cools down and nurtures the system. Retention and control of breathing helps gain control of ejaculation.

Another text, known as the Classic of the

Immortals, declares:

The way to make the semen return, to thereby nourish the brain, is as follows. When a man feels that he is about to ejaculate, he should firmly press the place between the scrotum and anus with the fore and middle fingers of his left hand, at the same time inhaling deeply and gnashing the teeth, without holding the breath. This practice will cause the semen to be activated but not ejaculated. It will instead return from the Jade Stalk,

ascend, and stimulate the brain. This method was taught by Lu the Immortal, but he ordered his disciples to swear an oath that they would not divulge this potent secret to the uninitiated.

Once again we have a technique for retention that makes use of knowledge of the acu-meridians to short-circuit the energy flow. The place between the scrotum and anus is the location of the duct through which semen must pass if ejaculated. Pressure there will divert any emission back into the prostatic region. This practice is common to both Taoist and Tantric teaching; many sexual Yoga postures advise the adept to "press his heel into the space between scrotum and anus."

A master of the Han dynasty, Wu Hsien, gives a concise account of ejaculation control. He first advises the man not to get too excited while making love so as not to lose control. He suggests that a man first learn to regulate his rhythm, trying one deep followed by three shallow love-strokes, for eighty-one total cycles. He next advises the man to follow this rhythm with one deep and five shallow love-strokes, again for eighty-one repetitions. Finally the man should try one deep and nine shallow lovestrokes. The master adds that if the man feels he is about to ejaculate, he should stop his movements and withdraw his Jade Stalk so that only the tip remains within his partner's Jade Gate. After his passions have calmed, he can begin to resume deep insertion. He stresses that the man's main concern should be that the woman reach orgasm quickly and frequently.

Wu Hsien advises a man to close his eyes and breathe in deeply but gently through his nose if he wishes to control his ejaculation and focus his mind. He points out that a man should never start panting while making love,

because if he does, he'll lose control and ejaculate. His final word is that a man should practice the art of conscious retention for at least five thousand love-strokes before ejacu-

Taoist posture of sexual Yoga used to aid retention and empower the libido. Album painting on silk, China, nineteenth century.

Love-posture showing a bandha (lock) for aiding retention. The bodies of the couple make a Yantra (a power-form), which potentizes sexuality. From a Nepalese painting of the eighteenth century.

He should retain the breath and contract the lower stomach.

Visualizing the Divine Buddha

Chandamaharosana in union with the Goddess Wisdomenergy, he should press his heel against the base [the scrotum] and his tongue against the roof [the palate]. By concentrating his wavering thoughts and controlling his breath, he will prevent the semen from moving outward. Thus he should practice the Yoga of Liberation.

CHANDAMAHAROSANA TANTRA

Ho-hau, Hang-hah!"—thus he should control and transform the Stages of Ecstasy. There is no beginning, middle, or end to this practice!

HEVAJRA TANTRA

lating as then his whole being will become potentized.

The teachings of the Taoist master Tung add further information:

A man should always ensure that the woman reaches her climax of pleasure. When he feels that he is about to ejaculate, he should make repeated short strokes with his Weapon, sporting between the Strings of her Lyre and the Grain-shaped Cave [the lips of her vulva and her inner Yoni]; these movements should be just like a child plucking with its mouth at the nipples of the mother. The man should close his eyes and concentrate his thought. Pressing his tongue against the roof of his mouth, he should bend his back and stretch his neck. Opening his nostrils wide and drawing back his shoulders, he should then close his mouth and draw in his breath through his nostrils. This will stop him from ejaculating and cause his semen to ascend upward. It is quite possible for a man to consciously regulate his ejaculations. When he is making love to a woman, he should ideally only release his semen two or three times in every ten sessions.

By partly withdrawing his Lingam and playfully moving it around the entrance to the Yoni, a man is able to absorb the Yin secretions and be "mothered by his partner"; this gives him added strength. One Tibetan secret text calls this act "milking the Heavenly Cow." Pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth, just behind the upper front teeth, is another device for controlling the urge to ejaculate; it causes another "shortcircuit" and helps cool the passions. Sucking in the breath through the rolled-up tongue also has a cooling and stabilizing effect.

Tantric teachings outline the same ejacu- lation-control techniques as Taoism, with the exception of the use of the Ping-i (acumeridian above the right breast). The main emphasis of Tantra is on the need to learn control over breath and thought. Since Yogic sex presupposes a thorough practical knowledge of breath control (Pranayama) and meditation, it is not surprising that specific external devices are rarely mentioned. H o w - ever, one special feature is the emphasis given to anal sphincter control, which, when perfected, creates the same effect as applying pressure to the region between the scrotum and anus. Anal sphincter control is a tech-

nique of Kundalini Yoga that consists in repeated constriction of the muscles around the anus, drawing up the downward-moving energies. Anal sphincter control, known as Mula Bandha, is best perfected as part of the Yoga asanas and meditation training.

Some Yogic and Tantric texts emphasize a technique known as Vajroli Mudra (Diamond Seal). This is an advanced Yogic practice of drawing up liquids through the Lingam by contractions of the lower diaphragm. Such practices can be dangerous and are hardly necessary for most lovers. Other Yogic techniques known as bandhas (locks) affect retention by constriction or physical blocking of life-energy conduits. The Mula Bandha, or "Root Lock" already mentioned, is one such device. Some of the more complex Yoga asanas naturally create bandhas that aid the retentive process. Many complex sexual postures have a similar effect in controlling ejaculation. These are better discovered spontaneously during love-making than rehearsed without passion.

Tantra specifies that certain love-making postures are effective in helping to control ejaculation. Sitting and squatting postures are particularly suitable, since they naturally cause sexual energy to flow upward. Difficult Tantric postures, where the man is in reverse (such as the head stand or back stand), are also used to cause sexual energy to flow back to the head center. In the versions used in sexual Yoga, the woman makes all the movements while the man maintains his posture and retains his semen. One of the most suitable of all the postures for retention is practiced with the man lying flat on his back, without moving. With such a posture, it is the woman who has the responsibility of ensuring that he does not ejaculate; it is for her to act out the normal movements (and restraints) of the man.

Mental repetition of Mantras (see "Noises of Love") and visualization-meditations (see Part 1) are very effective in stabilizing breath, thought, and semen. If the man can also visualize the process of energy sublimation, he will find it easier to exert control over ejaculation. The process of sublimation is conceived of and visualized as life energies ascending the central channel, opening up and nourishing the psychic centers, one after the other. When the life energies reach the head center, they invigorate the whole psycho-system. The subtle nerves, the body