Four Zoom Gatherings: April 19, 26, May 3, 10, 10am, Pacific time
With Joseph Kramer, PhD
Through the Body Electric School
The title of this gathering comes from John Ryan Haule, who writes:
Sexual arousal may induce an altered state of consciousness that is available to anyone willing to explore it. But, as with meditation and shamanic journeying, the non-ordinary conscious state generated in sustained sexual arousal constitutes an opportunity one must learn to use.
This training is a communal investigation into the use and celebration of erotic trance states.
Today, we face an epidemic of disembodiment—a widespread disconnection from our bodies and the natural world around us. This collective inability to connect with our aliveness leaves many of us feeling lost. But there is a powerful medicine that challenges this disembodiment head-on: sustained sexual arousal (SSA).
Becoming more mindful of sexual arousal gives us access to our inner landscape. This interoceptive awareness helps us make better decisions about our health, our relationships and our desires. Sustained sexual arousal also awakens feelings of connectedness with ourselves, with others and with our living green planet.
Our practices will explore integrating sexual arousal into our bodies and lives and playing with that arousal, making consequential use of that arousal. Here is how I, Joseph Kramer, came to know the potential of sustained sexual arousal:
When I look back on sixty-five years of masturbating, I am most grateful for those periods of extended arousal. I call those almost effortless, prolonged stroke sessions: Sustained Sexual Arousal. I found this flow state a place of power, creativity and wisdom.
Body Electric classes were invented during sustained sexual arousal. Three Circles, Taoist Erotic Massage, Erotic Massage Dancing and dozens of other erotic teaching structures came to me during this glorious state. The idea and even the details necessary for creating the profession of Sexological Bodywork were birthed in lucid streams of sexual arousal. I try to use this state to make all important decisions. Others have told me of using erotic states in similar ways.
SSA practices facilitate neuroplasticity. Sexual arousal changes our brains, helping us to replace limiting erotic habits and rigid ways of thinking.
You are invited to spend a month beginning April 19th with me and a community of erotic researchers. What surprises lie ahead as we practice sustained sexual arousal? Perhaps your learnings in April will be an upgrade for your next thousand solo sex and lovemaking sessions.
There will be no nudity on camera. Participants will be invited to make use of a Fleshlight (penis-owners) or a Hitachi magic wand (vulva-owners) or similar toys. Vibrating butt plugs are encouraged for everyone. Let’s together change the way we play with ourselves.
Former student Paul Powell writes: The Sustained Sexual Arousal course was an amazing and exhilarating experience. I loved learning the different levels of arousal and how some of the lower levels can be as energizing and effective as the higher ones. It was helpful for me to understand the importance of daily erotic practice as if I were a musician practicing an instrument. What was most important for my learning was the amazing bond that developed among the participants thanks to the course structure, the creative practices, and the generous mentorship of Joseph Kramer.