My eyes are closed, and my body is gently undulating with the utterly pleasurable flow of sacred erotic energy through me. I’m imagining sitting in the lap of my Beloved, that we are breathing in synch, our energy centers connected like sizzling magnets. It’s been twenty minutes. I open my eyes, and I feel focused, grounded and calm, ready to take on my day. Bliss.

The word “erotic” tends to bring up a narrow form of thought in our culture, that is, something that makes you feel like having sex. Tantra recognizes a far broader spectrum of sexual expression.Sexual energy is just that–energy–your life energy. Your hutzpah. Universe living Life through You, as You. Sexual energy is what makes you feel passionate to be alive as a man or a woman, (whether straight, gay, trans, fluid, or non-identifying). It’s zest for life as the Authentic You. Your passions in motion. 

So no, erotic meditation isn’t masturbation. Although, that’s fun and all.

Erotic meditation is the gateway to an expanded consciousness experience. It lifts you temporarily from the concrete, confusing, limited perspective of being a human and invites you to bliss. 

Bliss like a deeply rooted tree in a storm. Bliss like the dry and warm feeling in the house while it’s raining cats and dogs outside. You want bliss. And before you’re tempted to think of bliss as a luxury, consider this: What allows you to be the real you? 

Does it come as a reaction to the clock telling you you’re late while the trash needs to go out and your kid still needs to pack his lunch? Or does it come from a calm, quiet, intentional head space?  From . . .  bliss? I’ll tell you what I believe is the big secret to enlightenment right now, and it isn’t as mysterious as I thought: It’s simply that in any moment, no matter what fresh hell may be a-brewing, I choose to love and be loved. It’s only possible from bliss. 

As humans we carry within us at all times the pathway to bliss, built right into our bodies. No one can take it away. You can access any time, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. It never expires. It’s always fresh and nourishing. There are no strings attached. It’s your sexual energy, and it’s one of the most marvelous gifts ever given to you.

So how does erotic meditation work? Do you need a partner? Can you do it solo? 

It works by raising your sexual energy with your breath and intention, offering it to the Divine (in whatever way you understand God), and then sharing it with a Beloved, whether in flesh or imaginary. You can practice with an actual partner (talk about sizzling foreplay!). You can call in the spirit of someone you’d like to meet. You can imagine doing it with a real partner who may be far away. You can sit in front of a mirror and practice with yourself. Talk about self-love. Unlike intercourse when you are sending your sexual energy out through your genitals to pleasure your partner, erotic meditation focuses on drawing the energy inward, through your chakras. You’ll feel cleaned out, nourished, connected, healed, loved and loving. Bliss.

In this latest series in the L.I.T. Just As You Are Meditation Club, we are practicing three types of erotic meditation, all delightful variations on this theme, all designed to nourish your being with sexual energy. You can participate in the live broadcasts or watch later at your convenience. Bring a human partner or conjure your own spiritual one. This is one meditation you’ll want to practice every day. May bliss be yours.