Kama Sutra. Having read only these two simple words, I'm sure, has aroused many lurid thoughts in your imagination. This ancient Hindu sexual practice has become notorious in modern times for the adventure, mystery and challenge it offers. While some will balk over its mere feasibility, a surprisingly large number of people, whether or not they are aware of it or will openly admit to it, have prescribed to aspects of this difficult art form in an attempt to, shall we say, get the fun times a rollin'.
If you are not already familiar with Kama Sutra, be prepared to be educated. This manual for an ancient spiritual practice was surprisingly explicit and sexually uninhibited for its time, which might arguably be the foremost reason for the popularity it has received ever since its inception.
The Kama Sutra, a 2,000-year-old Hindu text written by Vatasyayana, consists of a dialogue between the god, Shiva, and his consort, the goddess Shakti. Sex, tantric sex in particular, is defined as a spiritual act which, if done correctly, has the ability to help one achieve spiritual enlightenment. Although the Kama Sutra is best known for its vivid description of various challenging sexual positions, one of its most important spiritual proposals is the achievement of sexual fulfillment through the lover's gaze rather than touch.
The male sexual organ, or lingam, is translated as the wand of light. The female sexual genitalia, or yoni, was considered the sacred space in Kama Sutra. The woman possesses a sacred spot, known today as the Grafenberg Spot. This spot plays a large role in Kama Sutra in pleasuring the woman. This spot is very sensitive, but, at the same time, overstimulation will turn it off. Pleasuring the woman is crucial to Kama Sutra - this requires concentrating on feeling rather than thinking.
The second main tenet of this Hindu spiritual practice is the male's withholding of ejaculation. One freshman male thought he had done this, as he explained, "Once I jacked off, but I passed out, so I never came, does that count?" Well, not quite. The male's objective is to distinguish between orgasm and ejaculation, experiencing the one while withholding the other, respectively. Besides prolonging sex, this has two major benefits, so listen up girls, you might want to suggest this to your boyfriends! First, this increases the likeliness that the male will actually stay awake after sex. Also, this takes care of the problem involved with a woman who has a slower response time.
The techniques suggested in the Kama Sutra were intended to promote spiritual enlightenment; however, today it is highly questionable whether Kama Sutra is practiced for this express purpose.
Freshman student Raghu Chivukula explained, "Technically it is a religious text. Kama is like love, and Sutra refers to religious texts. I'm pretty sure it used to be an actual religious and spiritual method to become closer to one's partner. Now, I'm pretty sure it's just a way for Indian guys to get some and seem culturally aware at the same time."
Whether or not you agree with Chivukula, it must be admitted that the purpose of this art form has become distorted over time (which is not necessarily a bad thing).
Today a multitude of partners attempt the daring sexual practices of Kama Sutra for the mere excitement and challenge. Indeed, the opinions of Hopkins students on Kama Sutra are evidence of this. One student remarked, "I didn't even know that our bodies were capable of all these positions! Apparently we are! Admittedly, it's hard to understand the pictures, but you come up with some weird in-betweens. Kama Sutra is a lot of fun, I've discovered, but it's better if you combine two or more positions."
Freshman Jason Suslavich agreed in saying, "So many positions, so little time!"
This raises an important point about Karma Sutra: It ain't easy. Yes, this ancient art form requires carefully acquired skill and agility. One Hopkins student offered a solution for those who don't know what they're doing.
He contended, "I think Kama Sutra an ancient art form which should be revived as a class here at Hopkins. It is the essence of Indian culture, and indeed humanity as we know it."
Vatasyayana, author of the Kama Sutra would have probably supported this contention, as he explained in his work that "becoming a goddess takes a lot of practice." In conclusion, I think this Hopkins student's friend best summarized most student's opinions and the objective of this article in saying, "Sex is good."
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