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tion of Mantras all help the male sublimate his sexual energy.

The medical treatises cite instances when masturbation with ejaculation is condoned. For instance, an unhealthy diet can create "devitalized" semen, which cannot be suc-

cessfully sublimated. If sublimation is not possible, then it is better to ejaculate than

to "hoard morbidified life-essence." Another medical reason for ejaculation is if the Subtle Pathways of the body have become "blocked"; a symptom of this is extreme lethargy. The Taoist and Tantric view is that only lustrous, healthy semen is fit for internalization, and that this is built up by Yogic diet and lifestyle.

A man who is not having sex may find that sexual pressures build up to the point where physical release is advisable. It is certainly unnatural for a young man to suppress his sexuality; if he cannot find release through the Yogic disciplines of sublimation and transformation, or through heterosexual contact, then masturbation with ejaculation is the final resort. In the ancient world, men married early and the Act of Love was cultivated almost from the onset of puberty. Masturbation was therefore unnecessary. The physical symptoms normally associated with "growing up," such as pimples, boils, and skin eruptions, are an indication of sex energy striving for release. The alchemical view of this is that the vital "mercuric" energy (the semen) is polarized into a "sulphurous" substance that the body rejects through the skin. For those who are unable to practice the Yogic teachings of sublimation and transformation, or who are unwilling to radically change their lifestyle, heterosexual love-making with emission of semen is far better than release through masturbation. If sex with a woman is not possible and sublimation is impracticable, then masturbation with ejaculation may be necessary. It should not become a habit, however. Healthy semen contains vital nutrients, trace elements, amino acids, and vitamins in purified form. Sperm should never be carelessly discarded because it is the living essence, containing all the physical and spiritual attributes of man.

Ejaculated sperm can live outside the body for quite some time. It should not be treated disdainfully. Tantras state that sperm should be honored; there is a psycho-physical link between a man and his sperm long after ejaculation. The Kaulavali Tantra advises that

"sperm ejaculated through masturbation should be positively endowed by one's mental attitude to it. Sperm should be ritually returned to the elements of its origin, or used for a magical purpose such as the empowering of amulets." The term "elements of its origin" means the earth, water, fire, or air. Ancient pagan customs such as the scattering of semen on fields, under trees, into waters, or into the sacrificial fire, or of rubbing preparations mixed with semen onto the body, echo this view.

The eastern teachings regard female masturbation as a phenomenon totally different in its effects from male masturbation with ejaculation. T h e primary difference is woman's "unlimited supply of Yin-essence" as compared to man's finite Yang-essence. The female body is replenished and its vital elements balanced after the completion of each lunar cycle. In the course of a month, a woman is revitalized and nourished by her natural harmony with the forces of the moon.

Woman embodies all the senses in their exalted form and narcissism is natural to her. The Nine Spirits of Woman are nourished by the release of erotic energy through the female body. Autoerotism in woman increases the flow of Yin-essence and helps her gain control over sexual reflexes. Women have

many effective methods of self-gratification; for example, simple rocking movements stimulate the sexual center. Some women can reach orgasm by gently caressing parts of their body, the breasts and Yoni in particular. Deep rhythmic breathing can bring a woman to orgasm, as can erotic fantasy. The Yoni is the gateway to her Temple; masturbation is a way for woman to nourish her own eroticism and learn to please the deities that dwell within her.

Once the Yin-essence is awakened in the body of woman, it needs appeasement. A woman requires longer than a man to become sexually excited; yet once stimulated, she can have many orgasms in succession. The mental attitude is most important. Blisswaves can be built up within the body of woman, carrying her Transcendental Spirit to new heights. The peaks of ecstasy are more easily scaled in the body of woman than in man. The chart above illustrates the multiple orgasmic nature of woman and shows a comparison with male orgasm.

Solitary satisfaction for a woman does not require the introduction of a Lingam substitute into the Yoni. Ancient Indian texts suggest that natural organic substances such as fruits and vegetables are better than fabricated substitutes; one text recommends the

The male is moved by the lifeforce of the female, and his Jade Stalk is excited to action. The woman is moved by the life-force of the man, and the liquid of her Secret Cavern begins to flow. These are the arousals caused by the natural qualities of the male and female forces of the cosmos. They are something that cannot be duplicated by human Will alone.

ISHIMPO

Mutual masturbation and love-play. A Chinese painting of the nineteenth century.

stalk of a plant, which, when soaked in hot water, swells up and takes on agreeable warmth and texture. In China and Japan a variety of sexual aids were developed for female self-gratification. We describe these fully in the section entitled "Sexual Aids."

The importance of the mental attitude toward masturbation cannot be overstressed. Guilt must not enter the exploration of this form of sexuality. Remember to circulate and dedicate the energy to a higher purpose than

mere sensualism. Offer your pleasure to Lord Shiva, visualized in the mind's eye. Offer the Bliss-waves of orgasm to feed the gods and goddesses within the body. Mentally resolve a desire for transformation and spiritualization. Let the sex energy ascend to the sublime. This strengthens the Subtle Body at the same time that it vitalizes the physical body.

Fantasy is an important element of masturbation. Perverse fantasies can damage the psyche and induce complex psychological

problems. Positive creative fantasy should be cultivated during masturbation; a woman can visualize Shiva the Yogic ideal, or hold in mind a "view" of herself making love with an idealization of her Lover-archetype.

Traditionally in Japan and China, a wife would have a replica of her husband's Lingam made of tortoise shell, horn, or wood, with his name beautifully inscribed on it. Such an object was greatly cared for and kept in a specially made box. The woman used this object, known as Harigata, for masturbation or for sex with co-wives of the household, the principal wife taking the male role. Thus during the prolonged absence of the husband, a means of self-satisfaction was available that incorporated his actual form. If you insert anything into the Yoni, first "empower" it by meditating upon it as the ever-erect Shiva Lingam, the cosmic symbol of transcendence. Mutual masturbation between women can be used to potentize the vital essence. Sexuality is enhanced, provided the mental attitude is nourishing rather than vampiristic. When the Yin-essence is circulated and exchanged between women, there is a doubling of potency, a feminization that manifests itself throughout the body. The women involved become more generous, selfless, and compassionate, and their bodies take on enhanced female qualities. Between women there is a natural intimacy, a sharing of innermost feelings, rarely found among men. Taoist texts state that when women share, their "complexion becomes very clear, shining like the full moon, and their eyes sparkle brightly." A Tantric saying declares, "Soft things become softer when brought together, as in women; hard things blunt each other, as with men."

Mutual masturbation between boys or men is associated with initiation rites in certain primitive tribal societies. These rites of initiation are believed efficacious in establishing patriarchal unity. Aggression is commonly played out, accompanied by forceful verbalization or

chanting. A Karmic bond, or sense of sharing, is brought about. In various African tribes mutual masturbation is allowed between boys as part of their puberty rites. However, it is condemned after adolescence. Secret societies are sometimes founded around masturbatory rites celebrating the power of death. None of the higher Eastern mystic teachings requires such an activity, since the real transcendental bond is with the female force, the Shakti, which is considered paramount. Though it is true that instances of mutual masturbation between males occur in the context of magical occultism, these are of a very low order and are associated with black-magic rites performed for selfish rather than transcendental ends.

What has been referred to as mutual masturbation in a heterosexual situation is not really masturbation at all, but foreplay, leading up to penetration and mutual orgasm. Often is it linked to oral sex, in which case the emission of vital essence should be absorbed by the partner's mouth. W h e n the male Yang-essence is absorbed within the body of a woman, it is transformed into Yin. When the female Yin-essence is absorbed by the man, it is transformed into potentized Yang. Mutual masturbation in a heterosexual context is one of the most important ways of harmonizing mood and body essences.

Various modern so-called Tantric works deal almost exclusively with learning to prolong orgasm through disciplined masturbation. The idea is to masturbate until reaching the moment of orgasm, and then exercise self-control by "holding back." Ancient Tantric texts do not in any way support this view. Orgasm control is best achieved within the context of a couple, as part of the Battle of Love. Breathing exercises, Yoga postures, and meditation all serve to transcend the limitations of an overabundance of sexuality, without the need to cultivate masturbation as an outlet.

brotherhood of man

There is a natural feeling of brotherhood between men. Authentic commitment and love can exist between men without any need for sexual contact. Tantra tells of the need for feelings of brotherhood, as such feelings help men to share their problems and shared experiences lead to understanding.

Nothing binds men more effectively than shared participation in dynamic, fiery types of activity. In the past, men hunted, worked, and made war together and many brotherhoods were created as part of these activities. Nowadays there is a decreasing emphasis on physical activity, though men still participate in aggressive sports and cooperate in business activities. However, it seems that there are fewer opportunities for a man to externalize or transform sexual energy on a physical level.

Freud's term libido refers to emotional cravings that prompt any specific human (and especially sexual) activity. The libido is the sex drive, the "fire coursing through the blood." Throughout history it has had the power to bind men. W h e n the potent fire of Kundalini-energy is untransmuted, it is externalized as aggression. Sex and aggression often manifest themselves in the formation of brotherhoods between men. Many primitive people use sexual bonds between men to establish commitment and reinforce reliability. This is done through rites of initiation, sometimes centered around group or selective homosexual activity. Among the Pueblo Indians of N e w Mexico, for example, initiation rites revolve around masturbation of a single selected male who is held in great honor. Circumcision rites of

some African tribes are closely linked to concepts of brotherhood.

The result of strenuous physical exertion is always watery; perspiration pours from all parts of the body. Love-making also produces watery secretions. The symbolism of fire and water permeates occult traditions and is an integral part of rites of initiation leading to the establishment of brotherhoods. Even war has the potential for the exchange of fire and water: fiery aggression creates sweat, blood, and, often enough, tears. Wars often evolve from the need to express aggression externally. When the libido of men is high and is not channeled through transcendental sex practices, men create excuses to go to war. Emotional cravings have to be expressed; they cannot be bottled up forever. In the past, many brotherhoods were formed around shared participation in battle, the real causes of which were often forgotten. Islam is one of the more recent cultures that revolves around the desire to externalize sexual energy. The brotherhood of Islam lost track of the original emotional, mystic craving of its principal prophet, Muhammad. Over the course of history its women came to bear the burden. Though the brotherhood created by Islam transformed the face of the globe, it is still unable to recognize the sexual basis of its own phenomenon. Islam can only cease to be a religion of force and evolve into a truly transcendental experience if it breaks away from its long-established custom of relegating women to a subservient role.

Tantric brotherhood implies shared beliefs and shared emotional longings. The desire to be liberated from the endless round of births and deaths, to be freed from suffering and the fear of death, is the germinal requirement for true Tantric brotherhood in this Dark Age of materialism. Shared participation in Hatha Yoga, Tantric meditation, and ritual can lay the ground for a Tantric brotherhood, working as an all-powerful transformative energy in the New Age.