Sexual intimacy is often described as an act of physical closeness and emotional connection between individuals.
It also has the potential to serve as a means of connecting oneself to a larger social or spiritual community. In some ancient religious traditions, sexual intimacy was viewed as a powerful tool for dissolving the boundaries between the individual self and collective mythic identity. This can be seen most clearly in Hinduism and Tantra, which emphasize the union of individual consciousness with the divine, or Shiva, through various techniques, including sexual rituals. By engaging in these practices, practitioners are able to transcend their limited sense of self and become one with a higher power.
This experience can lead to feelings of deep connectedness and interdependence with others within the group.
In Hinduism, the concept of Brahman is used to describe the ultimate reality underlying all existence. To achieve union with Brahman, devotees must undergo purification and transformation through a variety of disciplines, including yoga, meditation, and ritual. One such practice is called "tantric sex," which involves sexual intercourse with a partner who has been initiated into the tradition. During tantric sex, partners use breath control, visualization, and other techniques to raise energy and focus it towards achieving a state of blissful ecstasy. Through this process, they come to realize that their personal identities are not separate from the greater cosmos but rather part of it.
Taoism encourages its adherents to merge with the Tao - an indescribable force at the root of everything - by cultivating harmony and balance within themselves and their environment. The Taoist sage Lao Tzu described this union as "non-action" or wu wei, which entails letting go of all desires and attachments and simply flowing with the natural rhythms of life. This philosophy also emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with nature, including embracing sexuality as a way of expressing creative energy. As such, many Taoists view sex as a means of becoming one with the divine feminine energy, known as yin. When practiced correctly, this can lead to feelings of oneness with the universe and a deeper understanding of oneself and others.
In Shinto, the Japanese native religion, sexual intimacy serves a similar purpose as a form of communion between individuals and the kami (spirits) that inhabit the world around them. In some rituals, couples will dress up as deities and engage in sacred sexual acts to honor the fertility of the earth. They believe that through these rituals, they are able to connect with the kami and receive blessings for their crops and other aspects of daily life.
Sexual intercourse is seen as a powerful means of creating new life, representing the joining of male and female energies that sustain the world.
Through these practices, ancient religions use sexual intimacy as a deliberate psychological method for dissolving the boundary between the individual self and collective mythic identity. By merging with something greater than themselves, individuals are able to transcend their limited sense of self and become part of a larger whole. While it may seem counterintuitive, this practice has been shown to have profound spiritual benefits, leading to feelings of connectedness, love, and gratitude towards others within the group.