THE SIXTY FOUR (64) ARTS

"A person should study the Sixtyfour
Arts and sciences, as also the
sixty-four aspects of sexual union."
KAMA SUTRA

The Kama Sutra, the classical Indian treatise on the Art of Love, enumerates the Sixty four Arts. The text advises that these should be studied along with the Kama Sutra, preferably under the guidance of a teacher. These arts and sciences (for no distinction between them was then made) include singing, music, dancing, writing, drawing, painting, sewing, reading, recitation, poetry, sculpture, gymnastics, games, flower arranging, cooking, decoration, perfumery, gardening, mimicry, mental exercises, languages, etiquette, carpentry, magic, chemistry, mineralogy, gambling, architecture, logic, charm-making, religious rites, household management, disguise, physical sports, and martial arts plus many specialized activities related to the culture and time. The accomplishments expected of young women in Victorian times echoed this idea. To update this, the arts related to more recent technical innovations, such as photography, could be added.

The Indian treatises on love suggest that both men and women should be well versed in as many of the Sixty-four Arts as possible. Three arguments as to why these arts should be studied are presented in the texts. First, a person who is accomplished in them is automatically given an honorable place in society. Second, through the application of these arts one can more easily win over the object of desire, be it husband, wife, or lover, and provide more fulfillment. Third, a single person can easily be self-supporting by the application of these skills. Even a bare knowledge of these arts adds to the charm and interest of a person.

In the West today, over-specialization is a problem, which tends to inhibit the mind's capacity to intuitively express the many facets of knowledge. Yet the Art of Love relies on the other arts for its support. Without these modes of expression our existence would be boring and restrictive. Humanity depends upon these arts as a means of communication and self-expression.

There is no Western equivalent of the Kama Sutra, and perhaps for this reason, sex as an art form has yet to mature in the West. Social repression and internalized guilt have prevented Westerners from a frank and  joyous exploration of sexuality, today's "liberated attitudes" notwithstanding. Practically all that the Occident offers in this area is pornography, or clinical sex manuals, so filled with anatomical details and "techniques" that they would be sufficient to put a person off sex for life. One result of this repression is inhuman sexual  perversion, a subject we will treat in more detail later. The sexual act is rarely tastefully portrayed in Western art or literature. We either reject sex altogether as a subject proper to art or, in lieu of better, accept mediocre treatment of it. 

The Orient did not consider sex apart from, or opposed to, spirituality or religion. The sex act was given a place of honor and was intimately connected with the other arts. Men and women alike studied the Kama Sutra and similar texts. In the temples, all variations of sexual postures were openly portrayed and venerated as ideals. In the privacy of the home, the entire range of erotic art and literature was considered a normal and respectable subject of study.

The parameters of sexual behavior in the East extend way beyond the West's narrow spectrum of normalcy, without the least debasement of the sexual function. Celibacy, monogamy, polygamy, and polyandry all had a place in Oriental culture.

The Sixty-four Arts should be conceived as the Paths of creative Energy. They are the emanations of the goddess Saraswati, the "anima" of Jungian psychology. They can be likened to the flames of an inner sun, blazing from the solar plexus. Burning up all negativity, these flames of the creative attitude purify the psyche and bring about an inner transformation. As practical skills of the outer world, they delight others and fulfill the talented practitioner.

PADMASAMBHAVA

 

Padmasambhava, the Indian Tantric master who established Tantric Buddhism in Tibet in the eighth century, in ecstatic union with his consort. This mystic form celebrates the unity of celestial Voidness with terrestrial Wisdom. From a Tibetan painting of the nineteenth century.

INVERTED CROW POSTURE

BEGINNING CONGRESS PREPARING YOUR BODY FOR PASSION

The Kama Sutra advises lovers to pay meticulous attention to personal hygiene. It recommends that one should bathe every day, rub limbs with oil every other day, shave the  face (men) every fourth day, and remove body hair every tenth day. In doing so, couples enhance the lovemaking experience because their bodies are more appreciated by each other.

 

SWEET ANTICIPATION today’s lovers get ready for sex for the same reasons as the lovers in Vatsyayana’s era did: they enjoy the ritual of erotic preparation, they want to feel and look gorgeous, and they want to tempt and entice their partner.

SMOOTH, FRAGRANT SKIN step into a hot bubble bath and, before you start to wash, close your eyes and savor the feeling of being immersed in the hot water. Now make your skin smooth by exfoliating it with a sweet-smelling body scrub or polish. Alternatively, rub shower gel into your skin with a loofah or an exfoliating glove. Pay attention to every surface and crevice, from your toes (which should be sweet and suckable) to your neck (which should be smooth and kissable).

Step out of the bath and pat yourself dry with a soft towel. Then rub oil or moisturizer into your skin. This will leave your skin smooth, and incredibly receptive to a lover’s touch. Finally, spray yourself with a fragrance that you both adore. For an added touch of romance, try preparing for passion with your lover. Invite your partner into the bath and wash him or her all over using slow, caressing strokes.

SENSUAL THOUGHTS Preparing your body gives you a chance to enter the mood. As you go through the ritual of preparation, your thoughts will automatically turn to sex. The more you abandon yourself to these thoughts, the more aroused you will be when you finally slip between the sheets. so, while you wash yourself,  imagine your lover’s hands caressing you. And as you spray scent on yourself, picture your lover up close to your skin, inhaling the gorgeous scent.

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GROOMING THE
HIDDEN PLACE
The Kama Sutra advises the grooming of pubic hair. Nowadays many men and women appreciate the erotic benefits of keeping that area well tended. Leaving just a token strip or triangle (or any other shape) of pubic hair looks and feels sexy, plus being suitably trimmed can intensify sexual sensation and can also make oral sex more enjoyable for both partners. Women can take this a step further. Once you have a bare and silky pubic triangle, make it look stunning with stick-on crystals or jewels designed specifically for this purpose. Now lie in bed wearing just your panties—fix him with a wicked look and invite him to unwrap you like a gift!

SEXY SPACES MAKING A LOVE CHAMBER

Lovers in the time of the Kama Sutra considered sex to be an erotic ceremony, something to be cherished and lovingly prepared for. Making a love chamber—a room perfect in every detail for the act of love—was an important part of the preparation. The intention was for lovers to be enveloped in a mood of tranquil eroticism the moment they stepped inside.
 
IN THE PAST The ancient Indian love chamber would have looked gorgeous. It may have had whitewashed walls, fans, plump pillows, a bed draped in satin sheets, a beautifully shaped musical instrument, such as a lute, hanging from a peg, and garlands of flowers … plus anything the lovers might need during the night, such as lemon bark to fragrance the mouth or oils to rub into the skin.

 

SET THE SCENE you do not have to redecorate your bedroom to make it into a love chamber. One of the simplest things you can do is remove clutter: take away anything that doesn’t look, smell, or feel gorgeous, or doesn’t inspire sensuality (such as computers, phones, clocks, bills, work files, or dirty laundry).

 

Try dressing the bed in clean, fragrant, and soft fabrics—sheets you want to lie naked on. put flowers by the bed, or place a single rose on the pillow. Or as one ancient Indian love manual cheekily suggests, leave a book on display—one that contains “amorous songs and gladdens the glance with illustrations of love postures.”

 

CREATE THE MOOD Replace lamps and harsh lighting with tall candles, so that you can enjoy the experience of making love in flickering candlelight, while watching the erotic shadow play of your bodies on the walls. Have a music player in the room and quietly play your favorite sexy music to build up the romantic ambience. Even if it is not practical to keep your room in this minimal state, try it once in a while. Make it part of an anniversary or birthday gift— send your lover an invitation that reads “come to the bedroom at 8pm.” Relish the ceremonial feel of your surroundings.

Secret:
FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
Turn your bedroom into a love temple so that you are in the perfect space for a night of sacred lovemaking, where you can worship your lover’s body. Think about everything you could possibly need in advance: a beautifully made bed, sarongs or robes, a bottle of your favorite wine or champagne, massage oil warming in a bowl of hot water, lubricant and sex toys within arm’s reach. The Kama Sutra suggests placing a “box of ornaments” near the bed. Fill it with erotic treats: feathers, sex toys, blindfolds, lubricant, and massage oil. Choose anything that will add an exciting dimension to your lovemaking.

THE KAMA SUTRA

“Desire is the heart’s way of reaching
into the unknown ...” Kama Sutra

The Kama Sutra is the oldest Hindu guide to the art of erotic love, written between 1 and 4 BCE. The book’s most charming aspect is its open approach to the heady and sensual delights of sex. Its author, Vatsyayana, compares sexual pleasure to food, and describes sex as a means of sustaining the body and nourishing a relationship.
 
Although widely believed to be a manual of sex positions, the Kama Sutra is actually much more. It is a guidebook for the entire erotic lives of both men and women, dispensing advice for almost every romantic or sexual issue they might encounter.
 
ALL-EMBRACING Vatsyayana starts by describing the perfect environment for lovemaking, offering sugggestions on how to create it. and, once you are inside this love chamber and feeling amorous, he tells you exactly how to embrace each other to ensure peak arousal before having sex. He even addresses sensitive issues such as genital compatibility, explaining how to make sex work when you and your lover are mismatched in terms of size and “fit”.
 
FOR HIM AND HER Vatsyayana dispenses specific advice to men and to women. Men, for example, are instructed on grooming and personal hygiene, how to be successful with women, how to recognize signs of sexual interest, how to seduce a virgin, and how best to thrust during intercourse.
 
Vatsyayana gives equally detailed advice to women. He instructs virgins on how to flirt with a man, and courtesans on how to give a man what he desires. Wives are schooled in how to keep a husband happy (including fashion and home maintenance tips). In addition, women are briefed on when—and how—to take on a dominant role in the bedroom.
 
SEXY AND SENSUAL although modern lovers may choose not to embrace all of Vatsyayana’s teachings about love and relationships, many of the sexual recommendations are not only timeless, but also hot and sexy. There is very little that is taboo in the Kama Sutra, and it is fascinating to discover that the sex acts practiced in ancient India—for example, oral sex, anal sex, threesomes, spanking, and biting — were considered as kinky as they are today.
 
Another aspect of the Kama Sutra that is relevant to us today is Vatsyayana’s suggestion that we should immerse ourselves in sensual pursuits. He believed that lovers should be able to find pleasure both in and out of bed. He recommended that lovers learn sensual skills, such as massage, mixing perfumes, preparing wines and juices, reading poetry, and playing musical instruments … all significant for a night of seduction and pleasure.

MAITHUNA

Sanskrit term for sexual intercourse, one practice espoused in tantric yoga. Tantra differs from more ascetic forms of Hinduism in eschewing the way of denial. Instead of refraining from such things as alcohol and sex in order to attain spiritual realization, tantra suggests  using items commonly denied as a tool to enlightenment. Sexuality is by far the most  controversial of such tools. Within tantric systems, the practice of maithuna may be either symbolic (the right-hand path) or actual (the left hand path). Tantra seeks union with the  goddess Shakti and speaks of the male’s union with the goddess. In left-hand rites, the woman is seen as the goddess present in flesh.
 
Tantra also developed the understanding of occult anatomy in Hinduism focused in the seven chakras, or psychic centers, located horizontally in the body from the base of the spine to the top of the head, and kundalini, the mystical energy that is usually pictured as lying latent, like a coiled serpent, at the base of the spine. In tantric practice, kundalini is released to  travel up the spine, opening the chakras, and eventually bringing enlightenment. In right-hand tantra, this awakening is done with meditation and concentration. In the left-hand path, the kundalini is awakened in part by sexual intercourse ending in coitus interruptus, with a cooperating female.
 
There has also existed in the West since the late nineteenth century an occult system that includes sexual practices, its major exponent having been Aleister Crowley. This system is often seen as a derivative of tantra, but in fact has quite different origins. Since the 1970s, Western sex magick and tantra have been the subject of many books and articles, and  sycretistic forms of sexually oriented practices have begun to emerge.

ONNA SHUJIN

There is a famous Japanese legend in which a young ferryman is abducted and taken prisoner by a lady and her three maids. They keep the man imprisoned in the lady’s castle and turn him into their  sex slave, using him at will to service all their erotic needs.

In total command the idea of a woman taking charge—to the point where the man becomes her sex slave—can be erotic for both partners. the Japanese name given to a “mistress”—a woman who performs extreme acts of sexual dominance—is Onna Shujin.

If you want to be an Onna Shujin for the night, prepare for your role in advance. this way you can be as convincing as possible.

 

Power dressing Dress to look both stunning and intimidating. You will notice that the act of slipping into a particular dress can help transform your personality and put you into a commanding mindset. try dressing as a kinky geisha. choose a geisha dress with a fetish twist: one that skims the tops of  your thighs and has a plunging neckline. Make sure the wide obi (sash) is drawn in tightly to emphasize the curves of your body. alternatively, wear an open kimono over some lingerie and a pair  of sexy boots or heels. equip yourself with some kinky props, too: try a Japanese silk flogger, a dog  collar, handcuffs, and blindfold. even if you don’t use all of them, the trick is to let your lover know that you might at any point.

Body language adopt the poise of erotic power: whether your lover is lying or sitting, make sure  you position yourself so that you are towering above him and asserting your dominance. Begin the evening on a thrilling note by ordering him to the bedroom. Push him onto the bed, undo your kimono, and stand over him with the ball of your foot pressed against his chest.

Throughout the evening, make sure all your movements are slow, poised, and brimming with power.  When you give a command make sure your voice sounds confident and authoritative—hint at possible “naughty” punishments if he fails to obey (and then end up administering them even if he does—it’s all part of the fun). Power games In the Japanese legend, the women delighted in keeping the ferryman in a bag with a hole cut out for his penis. They would then order him to make  love to them through the bag.

Use your night of dominance to play whatever games arouse your imagination. For example, you  could order your lover to massage your feet, pleasure you with a sex toy, enact a sexual fantasy, or make love to you with his hands tied. Even if he performs a task perfectly, pretend to be  dissatisfied so you can exert your power. Invent some suitable punishments for being “bad.” For  example, make him crawl across the bedroom floor naked, or force him to wear a dog collar, or  receive ten spanks or flogs. Revel in your position of dominance while allowing him to enjoy the  playfulness of being under complete submission.

“When I’ve finally ravished you, I want you to know for certain that you gave it your all, everything you had ... that even at its fullest, your appetite was no match for mine ...”  EROTIC DOUJINSHI

SHIBARI (Japanese Erotic Art of Tying)

SHIBARI is the Japanese art of bondage. Being tied up gives you the freedom to surrender completely to pleasure, as your lover teases and titillates you. Take turns to tie each other up with scarves, bondage tape, or wrist and ankle cuffs. Men, in particular, tend to enjoy this type of domination.

Tying techniques if you are a novice to the pleasures of bondage play, try this simple technique to  start off the night’s proceedings: First, tie your lover’s hands loosely behind his back, and guide him  to the bed. (this is just to give him a hint of what’s to come.) Untie the knot and position your naked  lover flat on his back with his arms above his head, then use bondage tape to bind his wrists and ankles together. now that you have immobilized your lover, straddle his body on all fours and lavish  him with licks, kisses, and nibbles. treat your lover to some brief but blissful oral sex. it is important to tease your lover by alternately indulging him then pulling away—this way your lover will know that  you are firmly in charge. Dominance and submission is the key to truly titillating bondage play. afterward, swap roles so that he dominates.

Tease with your tongue if you want to take it a step further, try this Japanese tying technique: ask your naked lover to stand up and fold his arms behind his back. now bind your lover’s arms with bondage tape or a silk scarf. tease your lover’s body with your tongue in the same way as before.  the fact that your lover is standing up will make him feel especially exposed and vulnerable. When  your lover is quivering with arousal, guide your lover into bed, push him onto the mattress, and then let the passion take over.

For a true bondage classic, spread your lover’s body in an open star shape on the bed, then tie his  wrists and ankles to each of the four bedposts. You now have complete access to his body, as well as the freedom to take complete erotic advantage. Be as adventerous and daring as you want. Don’t forget to swap roles.

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Create a Naughty Seat for Shibari
taking sex out of the bedroom instantly ramps up the excitement factor. add an extra frisson of naughtiness by treating a kitchen chair as a sexy Shibari prop: ask your lover to take a seat, then tie  your lover’s ankles to the bottom of the chair legs. now ask your lover to relax their arms by their  sides so you can bind the wrists to the top of each chair leg. a woman can drive her lover crazy by  performing a striptease, or by lap dancing for him. a man can give his lover oral sex that  takes her all the way to orgasm ... and then keep going until she begs him to stop.

SEXUAL SECRETS

The sexual secrets for consciously inducing and maximizing the experience of ecstasy are most eloquently presented in the Taoist tradition of China. The Tantric teachings of India evolved synchronously and there was a two-way exchange of techniques and ideas. Tibet received the teachings from both India and China, perfecting the mysteries over a millennium. We consider the Taoist and Tantric traditions as representing the most clear and directly relevant sexual secrets for the present-day needs of the West.

The decision to compile and synthesize the sexual secrets into a concise contemporary context was inspired by our observation of the changing attitudes toward sexuality in our society. The growing interest in the expansion of consciousness and self-awareness has led many to search for liberation through sexuality. Sexual taboos and inhibitions have been broken through in an effort to free sensual enjoyment from feelings of guilt. While this is a step in the right direction, it is dangerous unless accompanied by emotional maturation.

Liberation, especially sexual liberation, must be oriented in a positive spiritual direction. If not, when the novelty of new sexual experiences has worn off, emptiness and meaninglessness inevitably results. Western psychiatrists and psychologists have remarked on the increasing incidence of this feeling of emptiness as the root of neurosis in our all permissive society and are aware of the need to help reestablish meaning and creative direction in the life of the individual. Partly in response to the feeling of spiritual emptiness, the West has become conscious of the validity and profound insight of Eastern mystical practices. Yoga and meditation have become household words. The proliferation of encounter groups, sensitivity training, T'ai Chi, Transcendental Meditation, Gestalt Therapy, and other awareness therapies throughout the United States and Europe has resulted from an authentic need to recover a deeper, more conscious experience of life.

Unfortunately, the long-established norms of sexual behavior in the West have created psychological barriers that restrict inner growth. These "hang-ups," inculcated by parents and social institutions, have doomed many people to lives of permanent frustration. A desperate attempt to conform to a conventional, though possibly unnatural, "norm" of sexual behavior restricts individual development and may lead to furtive perversion and damaging guilt feelings. Yet an honest breaking with the expected standard, in a bid for personal liberation, might have led, up until recently, to alienation or even ostracism. Thus, many have seen the need to expand the parameters of the norm, to cut away the restrictions of convention and the limitations of habit. By exploring the sexual potential of ourselves and others, we can come to consciously know the alchemy of ecstasy. It is our opinion, and the philosophical assumption of this work, that this process of self-development should be undertaken in a spiritual context, with a sense of purpose and higher direction.

Only in recent years has the West become aware of the depth of wisdom expressed in the Tantric and Taoist teachings concerning sexuality. Unfortunately, however, the sudden surge of interest in this largely esoteric literature has brought with it numerous misconceptions about sexual practices. These misconceptions have arisen from an ignorance of the subtle or allegorical meanings of many parts of the original texts, which were a carefully guarded secret only revealed to those who had successfully passed initiation rites. Furthermore, the bulk of the literature has only been accessible to scholars, with the result that lay people have had insufficient opportunity to explore the original material. A secondhand and often inaccurate acquaintance with the teachings has led Western sexologists and popular writers on sexual occultism to jump to premature and often erroneous conclusions.

The core experience of Tantra is the sexual secrets. Tantra is a philosophy, a science, an art, and a way of life whereby sexual energy is consciously and creatively utilized. The mystical treatises, known as the Tantras, contain a broad spectrum of practical techniques for enhancing sexual awareness and achieving transcendence. The hidden potency of the sexual act is the seed of all creativity. Through an understanding of the practical teachings of Tantra, a whole new experience of life opens up. Emperors, kings, and queens had one standard of sexuality for themselves and another standard for their subjects. The sexual secrets were, in the past, reserved for rulers and initiates, who needed to wield power intelligently. Power was achieved through sexual experiences that served to strengthen vitality. The energy found in these practices was consciously channeled to enhance integrity, clarity, and wisdom.

The well-being and prosperity of a country was once believed to be directly related to the vitality of the king. The sexual secrets were not readily available to the general population, although they did find expression in Spring Festivals, fertility rites, and forms of pagan worship. Paganism had sexual energy as its firm foundation; many of the rites and rituals were based on a profound understanding of sexuality.

We did not write this blog for those who wish to gain power over others by manipulating or using the power of sex for purely worldly ends. The sexual secrets should not be used selfishly. Many of these secrets have been jealously guarded to protect against their misuse. This concealment has resulted in the gradual dispersion of half-truths about mystic sexuality, Tantra, and Taoism, which, in the long run, has done more harm than good. Therefore, we are revealing knowledge that in the past has required initiation, as we believe the ethical cornerstone of this teaching is individual responsibility. Ultimately, progress in Tantric evolution is barred to those who have not shouldered this responsibility.

This is a blog for couples or individuals wanting to become couples. It is for those who wish to use the sexual bond as a means to liberation and who desire to transcend the limits of the individual self. It is especially for those to whom love and trust are synonymous and who wish to give, as well as take. The sharing of the ecstatic experience is the key that unlocks the sexual secrets.