Many moons ago, when I first caught sight of Taoist sexual practice books, there was one very compelling argument that intrigued me more than the idea of having unlimited orgasms:

Eternal Youth.

I remember the feeling in my body as I read the words that said I had the power to stop my body from aging as soon as I would master a particular ancient practice.

I was electrified at the idea of being special and
unique in my capacities to naturally stop the aging process.

Proof that it worked meant that my menses would end, in other words, I’d achieve early menopause at the young age of 23!

I remember the excitement coursing through my body at the idea of ending my menses early and maintaining my youthful vitality and beauty. I did not once question this fantastical idea and wholeheartedly jumped into a dedicated practice.

And dedicated it was. I did a minimum of 3 hours per day of practice every day without ever missing one (even if I had a hot date, was seeing family, or traveling!). This went on for 3 full years.

After that, my practice ranged from 1hour-4hours/day for another 9 years.

I finally came to my senses after 12 years of dedicated practice, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

After just a few years, I actually managed to completely stop my cycle. All that came out on the day I was suppose to bleed as a small, marble like, soft ball of white mucus. I was able to maintain this for several months. until I came into contact with a fertile woman, and then my cycle started again.

Initially, I was very excited at my accomplishment and highly disappointed when it didn’t last. Upon further practice and investigation, I’ve come to realize that this feat is not attainable if one is both hormonally healthy and a socially connected female (being exposed to the pheromones of fertile women triggers the fertility cycle in your own body which is why practicing Taoist nuns avoid going into the villages, etc).

I realized that I was only able to attain such feats when I withdrew from the world and basically lived as a nun – in deep practice and avoiding contact with people.

After almost 2 decades of practice, here’s what I now realize:

These promises, although lofty, speak (and sell) easily to the parts of us that would love to remain young forever.

They are so alluring that we rarely stop to question the actual process that we are willing to succumb our body to.

Since beginning my longevity journey, I’ve learned to love being a woman, being cyclical by nature and having a feminine brain that naturally gifts me different ways to perceive my reality.

I’ve discovered that eternal youthfulness is the gift of having an unburdened, open heart along with a healthy, playful relationship with one’s own animal body.

Don’t get me wrong, the practices, often known as the ‘Deer Exercises” are useful. They create relationship with one’s body, support healthy blood and lymph flow, and if done correctly, stimulate hormones that support vitality and youthfulness.

But they don’t keep you forever at the age of 23.

In fact, if these practices are done incorrectly or out of context, they can sometimes create imbalances in our sensitive body. Never mind the negative impact of enhancing and anchoring immature narcissistic fantasies.

We’d be better off to see the practices for what they really do offer and to embrace our beautiful human foibles with love and a sprinkle of humor.

In seeking to understand longevity, I also looked into centenarians and discovered that there exists a full spectrum of ideals—from those who eat pure food, drink pure water, breathe pure air, do gentle movements and live a benevolent, happy life to those who eat crap, drink crap, and smoke like a chimney and who are miserable and cranky.

They all live to be over a hundred.

After almost 2 decades of practice I’ve learned that it isn’t the technique that matters, but the shift in our consciousness that makes all the difference.

Personally, I sense that living in harmony with our own nature and with that of the greater Nature around us is the key to the fountain of youth. By drinking daily of the elixir of pleasure and happiness without condition or reason we rejuvenate not only our body, but our essence.

Through delighting in our moments, as they are, we are actually more alive, free to shamelessly live out our true nature.

No amount of “special” practice can give us that.

If falling in love with your own inner wisdom and harnessing your natural aliveness is inspiring, you may want to start with my book: Emergence of the Sensual Woman.

As always, I would love to hear directly from you. What did you find challenging about this article? Was there anything that inspired you? What are your choices based on? Let me know in the comment section below.