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The Semen in the Subject: Deferral of Enjoyment and the Postmodernist Taoist Ars Erotica

The Semen in the Subject: Deferral of Enjoyment and the Postmodernist Taoist Ars Erotica Ron S. Judy The Semen in the Subject Deferral of Enjoyment and the Postmodernist Taoist Ars Erotica , (Returning the semen to supplement the brain, one can achieve agelessness)1 Taoism, as most readers know, is the Chinese philosophy of the Way--an ancient doctrine that stresses epistemological ambiguity, freedom of action, and the concept of "naturalness" (ziran) in human affairs. What is perhaps less well known is that from earliest times Taoism was closely associated with China's ars erotica--the so-called "art of the bedchamber" ( fangzhong shu)--and that Lao Zi and other early Taoists promoted "nurturing life" (yangsheng) through various arcane therapeutic sexual techniques. The dictum at the top of this page, often attributed to Lao Zi, the Old Master, is one of the earliest formulations of the Taoist ars erotica and states that one of these techniques, re-circulating the semen to the brain (huan jing), can indefinitely curtail old age. This Taoist concern with healthful sexuality and matters of physiology seems only natural, for in contrast to the Confucian moralists who stressed obedient observance of traditional rites and the maintenance of early customs, Taoists were fond of pointing out that the Way is "natural," amoral, ever changing, and http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The Comparatist University of North Carolina Press

The Semen in the Subject: Deferral of Enjoyment and the Postmodernist Taoist Ars Erotica

Judy, Ron S.
The Comparatist , Volume 39 (1) – Nov 20, 2015
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University of North Carolina Press
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Abstract

Ron S. Judy The Semen in the Subject Deferral of Enjoyment and the Postmodernist Taoist Ars Erotica , (Returning the semen to supplement the brain, one can achieve agelessness)1 Taoism, as most readers know, is the Chinese philosophy of the Way--an ancient doctrine that stresses epistemological ambiguity, freedom of action, and the concept of "naturalness" (ziran) in human affairs. What is perhaps less well known is that from earliest times Taoism was closely associated with China's ars erotica--the so-called "art of the bedchamber" ( fangzhong shu)--and that Lao Zi and other early Taoists promoted "nurturing life" (yangsheng) through various arcane therapeutic sexual techniques. The dictum at the top of this page, often attributed to Lao Zi, the Old Master, is one of the earliest formulations of the Taoist ars erotica and states that one of these techniques, re-circulating the semen to the brain (huan jing), can indefinitely curtail old age. This Taoist concern with healthful sexuality and matters of physiology seems only natural, for in contrast to the Confucian moralists who stressed obedient observance of traditional rites and the maintenance of early customs, Taoists were fond of pointing out that the Way is "natural," amoral, ever changing, and

Journal

The Comparatist – University of North Carolina Press

Published: Nov 20, 2015

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