Sex, Sneezing, and Enlightenment

Here's another perspective on the sex/death connection: both orgasm and death cause the self to step aside and provide a glimpse into the natural state of being. Witnessing the moment provides a vicarious and compelling window into the same.

Today, I dug out a quote from Lama Surya Das that's always stuck in my head, describing the four moments a person can forget self and achieve enlightenment.

It's from Awakening the Buddha Within: 

Tibetan Buddhism tells us that the clear light of Rigpa--innate awareness, spontaneous wakefulness--dawns momentarily for everyone at the moment of death. Anybody who is sufficiently aware can merge consciously with this transcendent pure light at that crucial moment of transition. ... This is our pure original being, which existed before we saw ourself as a self, before we perceived others, and before we started to think others were the source of our pleasure and our suffering. According to the Tibetan Tantras, there are four great moments for recognizing this dawning clear light of Rigpa: death, falling asleep, orgasm, and, believe it or not, sneezing. What's the common denominator of all these experiences? Releasing and letting go in the natural state. 

(pp 105-106, in the 1998 Broadway Books trade paperback edition) - Lama Surya Das

Surya Das goes on to talk about how Buddhist masters train their whole lives so that they will be ready for the opportunity that comes at the moment of death, but I'm frustrated he doesn't talk about the other three moments. Maybe death packs the biggest punch, but I'd be really interested in a spiritual tradition of cultivating awareness to grab the many chances at enlightenment that come during allergy season.

And, of course, considering my interests and predilections, the idea of enlightenment by orgasm has enormous appeal. 

The main reason to highlight this here is it's another perspective on the sex/death connection: both orgasm and death cause the self to step aside and provide a glimpse into the natural state of being. Witnessing the moment provides a vicarious and compelling window into the same. 

Death fascinates but frightens, and so does orgasm--it's rightly been called "the little death." The powerlessness of the moment of orgasm produces a fearful sense of intimacy and vulnerability. When it happens in the presence of a loved one, it increases the sense of closeness. In an erotic horror scenario, it amplifies the sense of violation. 

(Here's hoping the lama doesn't mind my link!)