In Search of the Sacred

In my last post I touched on spiritual sexuality by giving some definitions of biblical sacred sexualty versus tantric sex, and non spiritual sex.  In view of the lack of material available that deals with this idea of spiritual sexuality adequately, in this post I am going to expound further on this concept, and show the sacred aspects of sex as it relates to biblical sexuality.  I will also compare this biblical sexuality with a popular form of spiritual sexuality which is being promoted today, called modern tantra.

As was stated in my last post, sacred biblical sexuality is defined as a physical expression of God’s love towards mankind, that is often manifested indirectly through the physical union of husband and wife. “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me” (Song of Solomon 7:10).  In biblical sexuality, the sexual union serves as a means to achieve spiritual unity, bonding, intimacy, and affection between a husband and wife.  It is God's way of making two distinct individual persons become united in mind and purpose, so that they act as a harmonious unit, with love and affection for each other.  This bond of love should be so strong that it can withstand the pressures and outside forces that should come against it.

"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.   Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it  would be utterly scorned" (Song of Solomon 8:6-7, NIV).


The beauty of biblical sexuality is that its goals can be achieved even outside of sex.  Therefore, for the unmarried or single person, this is great relief,  because it releases one from the pressure of having to find a mate or 'perform' sexually in order to achieve harmony, love and affection for others.  The euphoric states of joy and ecstasy, which are experienced in the sexual union, are also available for the single individual who is not sexually involved, but who has achieved a level of spiritual union with God.  Such a feeling of love can be so strong that it supercedes any feelings of love that we can have for a physical mate.  In 2 Samuel 1:26 it says, "Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women"(or men for us women).  It says in 1Peter 1:8 that our love for Christ causes us to rejoice with "joy unspeakable and full of glory" which denotes an ectastic state of joy, and this idea of joy being similar to that in the marriage union is further conveyed in Isaiah 62:5 where it says, "And as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee." Biblical sexuality therefore allows one to experience complete fulfillment or joy,  whether one is married or single.

Below are some comparisions between biblical sexuality, tantric sexuality, and non spiritual sexuality.  Remember, I am using modern tantra as my basis, as I do not know much about ancient tantra as practiced by Hindus and Buddhists.  I try to be as fair-minded and objective as I possibly can, so as to give an honest asssessment.

GOAL OF SEX
Sacred biblical sexuality: To achieve spiritual union with God and to deepen the bond between God and man.  To foster a spiritual union between husband and wife.
Modern tantric sexuality:  To achieve spiritual and physical union between man and the gods/God
Non spiritual sexuality:  Physical union between two people.

THE BODY
Sacred biblical sexuality:  The body is the Temple of God.  The body belongs to God and I do with the body only what is pleasing to God.
Modern tantric sexuality:  The body is the temple and body of God.  The body belongs to self who is a god.  It is my body and I can indulge it in pleasure to please myself and my lover(s).
Non spiritual sexuality:  The body is a created object given to us by God but He has no interest in the body (deistic view);  the body is an evolved object which we can use however we see fit (atheistic view); the body belongs to self, “It is my body and I can do whatever I want with it.”

BODY IMAGE
Sacred biblical sexuality:  Good body image; unashamed of the body.
Modern tantric sexuality:  Egotistical view of the body (body of a god); unashamed of the body.
Non spiritual sexuality:  Poor body image; ashamed of the body; 'dirty' words to describe genitals.

CARE OF BODY
Sacred biblical sexuality:  High levels of self-care; health consciousness.
Modern tantric sexuality:  High level of self-care to bodily abuse; health consciousness that is frustrated by disease, risky behavior.
Non spiritual sexuality:  Neglect of the body; bodily abuse; poor sense of health consciousness; risky behavior; disease.

FEELINGS OF SELF-WORTH
Sacred biblical sexuality:  High feelings of value and self-worth with or without a sexual partner; feelings of well-being and wholeness; high self-esteem and self-love.
Modern tantric sexuality:  Some level of self-worth without a partner; self-pride; struggle between self-love and self-hate. Needs a sexual partner to fulfill highest ideals of self-worth/self-divinity.
Non spiritual sexuality:  Poor self-esteem; self-hate; feelings of inadequacy; feelings of sexual power and dominance; sexual abuse; narcissism; selfishness.


I will stop here now with this comparison, as a lot has been said, and needs to be absorbed before I continue.  I will continue with the comparisons on my next post, so watch out for that.  I hope so far you can see how far we have strayed from true biblical sexuality, and what has resulted from us straying from this holy path.