Pondering my self-imposed celibacy

[novapsyche]

(This may be too graphic; I dunno; I'm writing this stream-of-consciously.)

This thought popped into my head today. This is partly because the mind does weird things when the body is deprived of things it's accustomed to....

This is not borne of the feminist in me. God knows that when I was the most into feminism, I was the most into sex as well. There was no discrepancy between the adopted philosophy and the actual lived experience.

I had the strange sensation of wanting to feel a male member in my mouth. Now, this was surprising, because I've been so happy with being celibate. I like being spiritually sexless. I like not identifying with the body. It's fun. So imagine my surprise when the longing to feel a particular familiar sensation resurfaced (not that I should miss the bumping of my uvula; I don't like retching, especially in a sexual situation...).

That got me wondering if I really, truly like(d) giving head. I always assumed I did. I certainly enjoyed it at the time, I would surmise. But when I really think about it, I think I more enjoyed being an active participant in such an intimate situation. I always worried about being selfish. I know I am/was a selfish lover; I'm bad at reciprocating. So I honed my skills at the one activity that was certainly an act of reciprocation. And by becoming a skilled fellatrix, I took solace in the thought that I could be an attentive and active lover.

I mean, honestly. Semen tastes like rotten saltwater, and smells like bleach. It's the act that counts. That is, the orgasm. The climax. The finale. The ultimate goal of sexual communion. Yes, I know sex should not be a goal-oriented activity. I couldn't change that opinion of mine, even after becoming a feminist. It was tied into my low self-esteem. If I could not bring my partner to orgasm, that was a personal failing of mine. Often I tried too hard. I've had more than one partner just lift my face and tell me to give up.

Why am I rehashing this? Right, examination of my current discrepancy. Because last week I really really wanted some sexual attention. And this made me take a step back and observe myself, my desires. Why would I want this? It wasn't until today that I realized that last week, I was most fertile; while my conscious mind wasn't aware of that fact, my 27-year-old body sure did, and it wanted to capitalize on it.

And so I am made aware most directly that despite what my thinking mind may want, my body has desires that really have nothing to do with any of that. The body is not rational; I need to remember this.

To conclude this offending ramble: I like the sponginess of the penis; it's fun to play with; but I realize I don't need one (in my mouth or elsewhere) to make my life a better one. The celibate life has encouraged me to confront my excessive, obsession-ridden sexuality, and that I value greatly.

Comments

[mylastsigh.livejournal.com]

interesting entry.
serious.
http://www.deviantart.com/view/1019375
i enjoy your writing.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

interesting entry.

Heh.

i enjoy your writing.

Thanks. :)

Re:

[mylastsigh.livejournal.com]

tks

[myelectricsheep.livejournal.com]

I actually like celibacy a lot. There's a channeling of sexual energy then, and that energy feeds spiritual practice and transformation. It can be a powerful practice. I'm coming to see celibacy as, not an attack on sexuality, but a respectful and incisive gesture, existing alongside sexual activity and providing a valuable crucible for that energy.

People often view celibacy as the boring, musty, stiff alternative to having sex, seen as energetic, intense, and compelling. It can be quite the opposite!

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

There's a channeling of sexual energy then, and that energy feeds spiritual practice and transformation.

I wonder if this process is different for men and women. Personally, I sense that my energy, when sexualized, is very diffuse. When I decide to concentrate on other things, the sexuality lessens and I'm able to focus on the task at hand.

My drug of choice, which I use in my spiritual practice, also heftily dampens the sex drive. I kill two birds with one stone.

People often view celibacy as the boring, musty, stiff alternative to having sex, seen as energetic, intense, and compelling. It can be quite the opposite!

I totally agree. I'm viewing celibacy as kind of an adventure (a personal adventure, but an adventure nonetheless).

Re:

[myelectricsheep.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I find my sexual energy, when contained, aids concentration. It's when I'm dispensing it wantonly (love that word) that I become scattered and distracted. This is not always the case, but generally (80-90%) so. I still masturbate during celibate periods, though.

The thrust of my argument (sorry) is that sexual energy doesn't have to be yes-or-no, but can, in moderate amounts, be valuable in terms of waking up to the present. Orgasm is powerful, and so is retention of sexual energy, and I haven't totally figured out how, but both can be valuable depending on circumstance as well as one's personality. I wonder if there is general advice on such things that really works for everyone. I'm inclined to think not!

I have been celibate for a long time.

[kittenkissies.livejournal.com]

Waaaay to long. I don't know what to do about it now.
I start therapy in January....bet you are glad I shared that with you.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

Waaaay to long. I don't know what to do about it now.

I know that involuntary celibacy can be rough. I went through that several different points in my life. It's like the sexual thoughts just come in waves, and you're like, "Goddamn it!" Well, at least that's how it was with me. :) I mean, what's the point in masturbating if right afterwards you feel this sharp sense of loneliness?

I start therapy in January....

Sexual therapy? :)

bet you are glad I shared that with you.

I am glad, actually. I like it when people share stuff with me.

Re:

[kittenkissies.livejournal.com]

I guess. I think all therapies kinda end up "life therapy" after a span of time. I have been going on and off for fifteen years now.

I ignore the post-masturbation lonliness...

I don't know what to do about having sex.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

I mean, honestly. Semen tastes like rotten saltwater, and smells like bleach.

luckily, that moment can be put off for a long time. Semen tastes awful on the roof of my mouth and makes me grimace or even gag if I swallow it wrong, but pre-ejaculate tastes sweet.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

Semen tastes awful on the roof of my mouth and makes me grimace or even gag if I swallow it wrong, but pre-ejaculate tastes sweet.

You ain't just whistlin' Dixie. :) Maybe that's what I miss.

It was fun in Human Sexuality to learn exactly why pre-come tastes better than semen. Cowper's gland. Aw yeah. :)