-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
reproductive system
contraception
psychospiritual approaches
metaphors and correlations
lunaception: Developed by Louise Lacey, this system calls for a woman to raise her consciousness of herself as a functioning whole being and take responsibility for creating this process. The method integrates awareness of a woman's daily life pattern with an understanding of how they relate to her fertile-infertile cycle. The daily patterns observed are emotional, physical, and mental states, temperature, and observations of cervical mucous, all of which are recorded on a graph. The object is to reveal a recurring pattern that indicates each woman' own fertile and infertile cycle. For example, a woman may become aware of powerful creative feelings three days before ovulation, which can be a signal of her first fertile day each month. (Bliss, p. 271)
psychic or mental control: Based on the principle that we have control over bodily processes rather than bodily processes controlling us, one can use thoughts and emotions to voluntarily control internal states such as conception. Useful techniques for this purpose include breath control, meditation, and yoga. (Bliss, p. 271)
non-seminal intercourse: Karezza is Western Tantra shorn of its mystification. It is simply a process of revitalizing sexual union to embrace the Spirit. Within this context, not reaching orgasm is experienced as a conscious choice rather than a burden or a sacrifice. This choice increases consciousness and beautifies both yourself and your partner. Free from thoughts of 'getting off', or getting anything, this slow and conscious lovemaking builds the energy and intimacy to unprecedented levels. (Baumann, p. 319)
Taoist seminal retention: Applying the physiology of traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners of Taoist sexual disciplines have advocated semen retention for millenia. Underlying such theories is the association of the sexual fluids with the Kidney and with their role as the reservoir and carriers of the body's most energetically dense substance, the Jing (Essence). The Jing is seen as the source of the constitutional strength inherited from the parents, and is depleted through stress. Its loss is manifested as physical debilitation, mental dispersion, and spiritual apathy. Conversely, through training and discipline, practitioners of these arts cultivate an internal alchemy that allows them to circulate and refine their sexual energy. They may then transform their Jing, first into Qi, the body's energy currency, and ultimately into Shen, the ethereal substance of the enlightened Mind, the vehicle of personal well-being and transcendental consciousness. Such practices require that semen be retained and that the sexual union be directed not toward giving birth to physical offspring but rather to personal integration and healing, enhanced psychic abilities, and spiritual attainment.
Chinese psychophysiology:
Liver ~ Gan is the home of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; controls the muscles especially their contractility; has an intimate relationship with the genitals and Lower Warmer; and reflects emotional harmony and movement.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement.
Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging, particularly the internal aspects of the reproductive organs; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; and displays the effects of aging, chronic degenerative processes, and extreme stress.
» Healthy expressions are gentleness, groundedness, and endurance.
» Kidney Xu (Deficiency) signs include indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); hearing loss; fearfulness; apathy; chronic fatigue; discouragement; scatteredness; lack of will; negativity; impatience; difficult inhalation; low sex drive; lumbago; sciatica; and musculoskeletal irritation and inflammation, especially when worse from touch.
» Intense or prolonged fear depletes the Kidney. Often chronic anxiety may induce Xu (Deficiency) and then Fire within the Kidney. (Maciocia, p. 250) Overwork, parenting, simple aging, and a sedentary or excessively indulgent lifestyle all contribute significantly to Kidney Xu (Deficiency).
therapies
Psychic Birth Control: "Several years ago I experimented. My wife and I would have intercourse, even at those times when she was ovulating, and then use a combination of visualization and meditation to prevent conception. The process went like this. We would first become very clear that we did not want a baby. Then we would make love; and after my orgasm/ejaculation, I would let my consciousness contact my wildly swimming sperm, (while my wife was surrounding her egg with impenetrable white light), and see them slowing down and finally coming to rest. 'No fertilization,' I would tell them. Naturally they were very reluctant; and I found, after a few months, the whole process to be exhausting and more effort than it was worth. But it did work." (Baumann, p. 318)
Non-seminal intercourse: The essence of Karezza (Western Tantra without the mystification) is very slow and gentle sexual union without orgasm which can and does last for hours and hours. (Baumann, p. 319)
footnotes
Reprinted from The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, Giovanni, 1989, by permission of the publisher Churchill Livingstone, a division of Elsevier Limited.