Rosicrucianism and Sexuality
shas...@my-deja.com
I am Zoot....just Zoot...
--Monty Python's The Holy Grail
>From what I've seen in Rosicrucianism, the attitude toward human
sexuality
is one that strays far from the current western cultural view. The
popular view is
one of an openness to sexuality--which in some ways, I believe is
healthy.
However, this popular cultural approach to sexuality, according to
Rosicrucianism, comes with a hefty price. So I'd like to voice some
ideas about sexuality
with reference to different cultures, and what might be the best way to
approach
sexuality in modern times, and western culture.
In order to illustrate my point of view, I'd first like to address the
difference between
western and Arabic culture in regards to sexuality. In Arabic culture,
a female's sexuality and her effect on men carries more respect, if not
fear, than it does in
the west. I don't see the Arab approach as wrong, merely different.
And, in
some ways, it comes from a higher degree of understanding. What passes
for casual
dress for women in western culture might be considered disgraceful and
almost pornographic in Arabic culture. We, in the west, see the Arabic
lifestyle as backward,
mostly because the Arabic way of life seems to take away from the
individuality
of each woman. However, what we have compromised, in moving toward
equality between the sexes, is a fundemental blindness to the
consequences
of the misuse of our generative function and energies.
In our descent into materialism, western culture teaches that sexuality
(with some
regard to the avoidance of disease) is a free drug. It feels good.
As
long as we don't catch a disease or get someone pregnant, why not
enjoy it to its extremes? The only mainstream cultural counter to this
casual (yet blind) attitude toward sex is the Christian religion which
teaches abstinence (almost as dangerous in its own way as
a sexual indulgence). This causal approach to sexuality has
two obvious consequences. On the one hand, men tend to
give into the provocation more often because we don't think of
it as wrong. However, at the same time, western men are
required to use their will power to overcome temptation
almost on a constant basis. If a woman dresses provocatively,
it is almost expected that western males do not respond.
And it is essential that women and men become equal
in stature if not in station. Unlike many males my age,
I don't consider it a "treat" if a woman shows her cleavage
or wears tight pants. I do prefer if a woman dresses less
provocatively. But at the same time, I am grateful that I can
look a woman in the eyes without that having to be sexual in nature.
When comparing the two cultures, the stakes are much higher
for western men. The temptation is greater; the potential cost
to giving into indulgence is hideous; but the potential for
soul growth, given that a man decides to live a pure life,
is incredible. It amazes me that we are given both
opportunities--neither one greater than the other, but
simply appropriate for different souls. It also amazes
me, however, that most people are allowed to go through life
so completely blind to the consequences of misuse
of the generative power given to us.
Rosicrucianism and traditional (pre-Babylonian captivity) Judiaic
attitudes toward sexuality provide us with a different (and likely
more valid, more based in the truth of the matter) approach
toward the generative function. Both of these traditions
coach males to "keep the seed within." Judaism suggests
that if a male is eating meat, one time per week it is permissible,
even essential, to release it--once every two weeks if
he abstains from eating meat. Rosicrucianism suggests that
when the temptation of the lower nature rages, we should
set our thoughts to the highest ideals and use our
energy to create in some way. The teaching of
Christ Jesus that even to think of a woman is
committing adultery agrees with the Rosicrucian
teaching that thoughts are things, and that we should
guard our eyes--meaning we should take more control
over what we allow ourselves to watch (this especially
applies to television). For males in particular,
images affect our thoughts. So if we don't control
what images to which we pay attention, who will?
And would you really want them to do so?
I expect some ridicule to come from the more sophmoric
individuals that frequent the group. But I can't help thinking
that this subject needs to find its way, somehow, into the
mainstream. Those who embrace Rosicrucian ideals are
called to turn from Kundry's kiss--no you can't have even
a little peril. And I think the key to doing so is found in the
knowledge that there are severe consequences to
indulging in the unforgivable sin--consequences that
western culture ignores or can't see directly due to
its current spiritual blindness.
S~