I was honoured to attended and speak at the First African Conference on Sacred Sexuality held in Johannesburg this November. My talk on Male Sexuality was well received and I made connections with a diverse and inspiring group of people.
Joining a small and intimate group, a warm atmosphere was created in which to share and discuss. The participants provide a rich cultural mix including England, Siberia, America, New Zealand and of course South Africa's own blend of ethnic diversity. Represent amongst us were diverse areas such as the connections between sexuality in the African cultures and Egyptian Mythology, Toltec shamanism, Tantra, Qigong, Biodanza, Yoga, Taoist sexual practices and more.
This conference, an initiative of the Sedona Temple in America, provided a great opportunity to share experiences, knowledge and approaches in the field of sacred sexuality. The theme “Creating Alliances, Raising Consciousness, and Cultivating Professionalism” provided a perfect meeting point for inspiring people. I felt a strong sense of colleague-ship, feeling strongly the synergies that diversity brings to this common area of interest.
One gains so much value from such an experience it's difficult to put it all into words. We covered much with common threads weaving through the lively dialogue such as responsibility, 'stalking' ones self-awareness, willingness to be present in the full range of experience, connecting with inner-strength and power, integrated expression between masculine and feminine principles, and establishing a connected flow of energy between our sexuality and heart nature. I will write further on those aspects that touched me as I gain more clarity over the coming weeks.
My prayer entering this past year with a sweat lodge ceremony was 'offering'. In that I expressed my willingness to be of service: to be present and available to myself and as a catalyst for the experience of others. I appreciate how a vocation can be a calling and when present for another's experience I feel tremendous awe and gratitude. I was powerfully reminded of this during the conference.
The talk I presented on Male Sexuality was well received. It is to be followed by a one day workshop in Cape Town on 6 February 2010. This event for men, Masculine Sexual Identity, explores beliefs and perceptions around masculine sexual identity. In this, the possibilities that exist in establishing a new relationship to sexuality and a new identification with the masculine principle will be considered along with practical techniques that facilitate a healthy connection to sexuality.
Shakti's talk on how the body releases sexual trauma was powerful as I believe everyone in attendance resonated with some aspect from their own experience. While in Johannesburg, she facilitates a workshop tonight on healing sexual wounds.
The second African conference with be held in Cape Town around this time next year. To reflect and include the wide range of interest areas and modalities that relate to the theme of sexuality, the name of the conference will probably be changed to Sexuality and Consciousness. As I overheard someone say: “All sexuality is sacred, we've just forgotten.”.
Sexuality is integral to all of our lives whether consciously acknowledge or not; I look forward to reading your comments.
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