''Coitus reservatus'' (''
coitus'', "sexual intercourse, union" and ''reservatus'', "reserved, saved"), also known as sexual continence, is a form of sexual intercourse in which the man does not attempt to
ejaculate within his partner, but instead attempts to remain at the
plateau phase of intercourse for as long as possible, avoiding the seminal emission. It is distinct from
death-grip syndrome
Death-grip and death-grip syndrome are slang terms for suffering adverse effects from one's aggressive and recurrent male masturbation technique, which result in an unsatisfactory experience when engaging in regular sexual intercourse with a par ...
wherein the man has no volition in his emissionless state.
Alice Stockham
Alice Bunker Stockham (November 8, 1833 – December 3, 1912) was an obstetrician and gynecologist from Chicago, and the fifth woman to become a doctor in the United States. She promoted gender equality, dress reform, birth control, and male and ...
coined the term ''karezza'', derived from the Italian word "''carezza''" meaning "caress", to describe ''coitus reservatus'', but the idea was already in practice at the
Oneida Community.
Alan Watts believed, in error, that ''karezza'' was a Persian word. The concept of karezza is loosely akin to
maithuna in
Hindu Tantra and
Sahaja in Hindu
Yoga.
Control of ejaculation is contained in
Taoist sexual practices (known as "''cai Yin pu Yang''" and "''cai Yang pu Yin''"), as well as Indian
Tantra (known as "''avagraha''"),
although conventional ejaculation is also endorsed in both.
[
]
Practice of karezza and sexual continence
Stockham writes, "... Karezza signifies 'to express affection in both words and action,' and while it fittingly denotes the union that is the outcome of deepest human affection, love's consummation, it is used technically throughout this work to designate a controlled sexual union." So that in practice, according to Stockham, it is more than just self-control, but mutual control where the penetrative partner helps the receptive partner and vice versa. According to Stockham this is the key to overcoming many difficulties encountered in trying to control sexual expression on an individual basis.
Stockham's contribution was to apply this same philosophy of orgasm control to women as much as to men. A form of birth control
Birth control, also known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is the use of methods or devices to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth contr ...
, the technique also prolongs sexual pleasure to the point of achieving mystical ecstasy, according to J. William Lloyd
J. William Lloyd (never using his given name John) (June 4, 1857 – October 23, 1940) was an American individualist anarchist
Individualist anarchism is the branch of anarchism that emphasizes the individual and their will over external de ...
, a practitioner of Karezza, whose own experience of cosmic consciousness appears in ''Cosmic Consciousness'', a book written by the Canadian psychiatrist Richard M. Bucke, a friend of the American poet Walt Whitman. In this practice, orgasm is separated from ejaculation, making possible enjoyment of the pleasure of sexual intercourse without experiencing seminal ejaculation, while still experiencing orgasm.
Some would have the principles of karezza applied to masturbation, whereby a person attempts to delay orgasm as long as possible to prolong pleasure in a process known as "orgasmic brinkmanship", "surfing", or "edging," but this is different from the heterosexual practice of "karezza". In Latin literature, this is known as ''coitus sine ejaculatione seminis''.
One purpose of karezza is the maintenance, and indeed, intensification of desire and enjoyment of sexual pleasure within the context of relationships. According to Stockham, it takes from two weeks to a month for the body to recover from ejaculation ... "Unless procreation is desired, let the final propagative orgasm be entirely avoided". Stockham advocated that the 'honeymoon period' of a relationship could be maintained in perpetuity by limiting the frequency of ejaculations, or, preferably avoiding them entirely.
Kalman Andras Oszlar writes, "Inasmuch as sexual togetherness is not limited into the physical world and does not mean quick wasting of sexual energies, by this we give free way to higher dimensions in the relationship." Affected by this, we may get into the state of flow, and in the course of this, the couple charges up with energy, while – with focused attention ( Dhāraṇā) – the couple is submerging in that in which they are having pleasure. This state of mind is connected with the achieved beneficial effects by tantric restraint and transformation. At first, the definition of positive philosophy was defined by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi
Mihaly Robert Csikszentmihalyi (, hu, Csíkszentmihályi Mihály Róbert, ; 29 September 1934 – 20 October 2021) was a Hungarian-American psychologist. He recognized and named the psychological concept of " flow", a highly focused mental ...
, and since then it is referred beyond the professional line. According to the professor, the flow experience is an entirely focused and a motivationally intensified experience where in the course of this people can entirely focus and properly command their feelings for the best performance or learning.
There is a slight difference between karezza and coitus reservatus. In coitus reservatus, unlike karezza, a woman can enjoy a prolonged orgasm while a man exercises self-control.
Like coitus interruptus, coitus reservatus is not a reliable form of preventing a sexually transmitted disease, as the penis leaks pre-ejaculate prior to ejaculation, which may contain all of the same infectious viral particles and bacteria as the semen. Although studies have not found sperm in pre-ejaculate fluid,[
] the method is also unreliable for contraception because of the difficulty of controlling ejaculation beyond the point of no return. Additionally, it is possible for pre-ejaculate fluid to collect sperm from a previous ejaculation, leading to pregnancy even when performed correctly.
Claims of the semen retention community as well as those of the NoFap
NoFap is a website and community forum that serves as a support group for those who wish to give up pornography and masturbation. Its name comes from the slang term '' fap'', referring to male masturbation. While reasons for this abstinance ...
community are among the least accurate in respect to men's health.
Views
Catholic Church
Many theologians within Catholic tradition approve of coitus reservatus with very specific guidelines.
* In 6.918 of Moral Theology (Liguori), St. Alphonsus Liguori allows it in marriage, if mutual (when both spouses restrain themselves from orgasm), according to citation by author Peter Gardella.
* The Holy See in volume number 44 of '' Acta Apostolicae Sedis'' admonishes 'amplexum reservatum'' (embracement reserved): ''Sacerdotes autem'' (Priests moreover), ''in cura animarum'' (in the care of souls) ''et in conscientiis dirigendis'' (and in the directing of consciences), ''numquam'' (never), ''sive sponte sive interrogati'' (if own initiative or if questioned), ''ita loqui praesumant quasi'' (presume to speak as if) ''ex parte legis christianae'' (on the part of the Christian law) ''contra « amplexum reservatum » nihil esset obiicendum'' (was no objection against ‘amplexus reservatus’ )''.
** John F. Harvey
John Francis Harvey (April 14, 1918 – December 27, 2010) was a priest of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, a moral theologian of the Catholic Church, and the founder of the DeSales School of Theology in Washington, D.C. He wrote about homose ...
OSFS expressed this to mean that "confessors and spiritual directors should not presume that there is nothing objectionable" with it. This indicates it could become sinful under certain circumstances, for example if ending in masturbation. For more details see next bullet point.
* In the article hosted on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website, John F. Harvey OSFS confirmed and explained ''coitus reservatus''. The spouses should avoid undue frustration. They must not intend orgasm for either of them. If unintentionally one of them reaches the climax, then they must try to stimulate the other spouse to reach the climax, too.
This differs from non-penetrative, rubbing-only sex (mutual masturbation, or masturbation) and differs from '' coitus interruptus'', because coitus reservatus ends with no orgasm at all for both spouses if practiced within guidelines from John F. Harvey
John Francis Harvey (April 14, 1918 – December 27, 2010) was a priest of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, a moral theologian of the Catholic Church, and the founder of the DeSales School of Theology in Washington, D.C. He wrote about homose ...
OSFS referenced above.
Oneida Community
The Oneida Community, founded in the 19th century by John Humphrey Noyes, experimented with coitus reservatus which was then called male continence in a religiously Christian
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
communalist environment. The experiment lasted for about a quarter of a century and then Noyes went on to create Oneida silverware and establish the Oneida Silver Co. that grew into Oneida Limited
Oneida Limited () is an American manufacturer and seller of tableware and cutlery. Oneida is one of the world’s largest designers and sellers of stainless steel and silverplated cutlery and tableware for the consumer and foodservice industries. ...
. Noyes identified three functions of the sexual organs: the urinary, the propagative, and the amative. Noyes believed in the separation of the amative from the propagative, and he put amative sexual intercourse on the same footing with other ordinary forms of social interchange. Sexual intercourse as Noyes defines it is the insertion of the penis into the vagina; ejaculation is not a requirement for sexual intercourse.[Alt URL]
/ref>
Western esotericism
Ida Craddock, C. F. Russell, and Louis T. Culling
Inspired by Ida Craddock
Ida C. Craddock (August 1, 1857 – October 16, 1902) was a 19th-century American advocate of free speech and women's rights. She wrote extensively on sexuality, leading to her conviction and imprisonment for obscenity. Facing further legal proce ...
's work Heavenly Bridegrooms, American occultist C. F. Russell
Cecil Frederick Russell (1897–1987) was an American occultist. Russell was a member of the A∴A∴ and Aleister Crowley's O.T.O. magical order. Russell later founded his own magical order, the G.B.G. (variously explained as "Great Brot ...
developed his own curriculum of sex magick. In the 1960s, disciple Louis T. Culling published these in two works entitled ''The Complete Magickal Curriculum of the Secret Order G.'.B.'.G.'.'' and ''Sex Magick''. The first two degrees are "Alphaism and Dianism".[, Chappell, V. (2010). Sexual outlaw, erotic mystic: The essential Ida Craddock. San Francisco, CA: Red Wheel/Weiser.] Culling writes that Dianism is "sexual congress without bringing it to climax" and that each participant is to regard their partner not as a "known earthly personality" but as a "visible manifestation of one's Holy Guardian Angel.
Rosicrucian groups
AMORC
The Ancient and Mystical Order Rosæ Crucis (AMORC), also known as the ''Rosicrucian Order'', is the largest Rosicrucian organization in the world. It has various lodges, chapters and other affiliated bodies throughout the globe, operating in ...
does not recommend engaging in sexual practices of an occult nature. This has been so since their First Imperator H. Spencer Lewis
Harvey Spencer Lewis F.R.C., S:::I:::I:::, 33° 66° 95°, PhD (November 25, 1883 – August 2, 1939), a noted Rosicrucian author, occultist, and mystic, was the founder in the US and the first Imperator of the Ancient and Mystical Order R ...
, Ph.D. made it public knowledge.
The '' Fraternitas Rosae Crucis'' led by Dr. R. Swinburne Clymer
Reuben Swinburne Clymer (November 25, 1878 - June 3, 1966) was an American occultist and modern Rosicrucian Supreme Grand Master of the FRC ( Fraternitas Rosae Crucis), perhaps the oldest continuing Rosicrucian organization in the Americas."Frat ...
engages in sexual practices for the sake of race regeneration. Dr. Clymer is completely opposed to the practice of karezza or ''coitus reservatus'' and advocates instead a form of sex intercourse in which the couple experiences the orgasm at the same time.
The Secretary of the FUDOSI instead approved the practice of karezza to establish harmony in the family as well as in the world by preventing the waste and misuse of sex energy.
Dr. Arnold Krumm-Heller
Heinrich Arnold Krumm-Heller (15 April 1876 – 19 April 1949) was a German doctor, occultist, Rosicrucian, and founder of Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua (FRA), a Hermetic order in Brazil. He also was a German naval intelligence agent during t ...
established the ''Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua
The Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua (FRA) is a Rosicrucian Order originally established by German occultist Dr. Arnold Krumm-Heller, and acts in Brazil and Spanish-speaking countries. In Brazil, it was established in 1932 and has had its headquar ...
'' (FRA), a Rosicrucian school in Germany with branches in South America, having the following formula of sexual conduct: "''Immissio Membri Virile In Vaginae Sine Ejaculatio Seminis''" (Introduce the penis in the vagina without ejaculating the semen). Samael Aun Weor experimented with that formula and developed the doctrine of ''The Perfect Matrimony
''The Perfect Matrimony'' or ''The Door to Enter Into Initiation'' is the first of approximately seventy books written by Samael Aun Weor. It was first published in 1950 then revised and expanded in 1961.
It describes the esoteric teachings of ...
''.
Aldous Huxley
English novelist Aldous Huxley, in his last novel ''Island'' wrote that Maithuna, the Yoga of Love is "the same as what Roman Catholicism
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwide . It is am ...
means by ''coitus reservatus''." Getting to the point by discussing ''coitus reservatus'', Alan W. Watts in ''Nature, Man and Woman'' notes: "...I would like to see someone make a case for the idea that the Apostles
An apostle (), in its literal sense, is an emissary, from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος (''apóstolos''), literally "one who is sent off", from the verb ἀποστέλλειν (''apostéllein''), "to send off". The purpose of such sending ...
really did hand down an inner tradition to the Church, and that through all these centuries the Church has managed to guard it from the public eye. If so, it has remained far more secret and "esoteric" than in any of the other great spiritual traditions of the world, so much so that its existence is highly doubtful..." The Welsh writer Norman Lewis, in his celebrated account of life in Naples in 1944, claimed that San Rocco was the patron saint of coitus reservatus: "I recommended him to drink -- as the locals did -- marsala
Marsala (, local ; la, Lilybaeum) is an Italian town located in the Province of Trapani in the westernmost part of Sicily. Marsala is the most populated town in its province and the fifth in Sicily.
The town is famous for the docking of Gius ...
with the yolk of eggs stirred into it, and to wear a medal of San Rocco, patron of coitus reservatus, which could be had in any religious-supplies shop". The psychologist Havelock Ellis writes: "''Coitus Reservatus'', – in which intercourse is maintained even for very long periods, during which a woman may orgasm several times while the penetrative partner succeeds in holding back orgasm – so far from being injurious to a woman, is probably the form of coitus which gives her the maximum gratification and relief".
Controversy
Alice Stockham
Alice Bunker Stockham (November 8, 1833 – December 3, 1912) was an obstetrician and gynecologist from Chicago, and the fifth woman to become a doctor in the United States. She promoted gender equality, dress reform, birth control, and male and ...
was taken to court and forced to give up teaching the practice of karezza in the United States. Like many other sex reformers, Dr. Stockham was arrested by Anthony Comstock, who sent a variety of spiritual marriage reformers to jail for long terms, including Paschal Beverly Randolph, who had been a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. Ida Craddock
Ida C. Craddock (August 1, 1857 – October 16, 1902) was a 19th-century American advocate of free speech and women's rights. She wrote extensively on sexuality, leading to her conviction and imprisonment for obscenity. Facing further legal proce ...
committed suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and s ...
after being repeatedly jailed for peddling pornography
Pornography (often shortened to porn or porno) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal. Primarily intended for adults, . The Oneida Community was attacked in the press and Noyes was forced to flee to Canada due to a warrant being issued for his arrest on a statutory rape charge on June 22, 1879. From there, he advised others to follow St. Paul's plan of either marriage or celibacy
Celibacy (from Latin ''caelibatus'') is the state of voluntarily being unmarried, sexually abstinent, or both, usually for religious reasons. It is often in association with the role of a religious official or devotee. In its narrow sense, the ...
, and to obey the commandments
Commandment may refer to:
* The Ten Commandments
* One of the 613 mitzvot of Judaism
* The Great Commandment
* The New Commandment
The New Commandment is a term used in Christianity to describe Jesus's commandment to "love one another" which, ac ...
against adultery and fornication
Fornication is generally consensual sexual intercourse between two people not married to each other. When one or more of the partners having consensual sexual intercourse is married to another person, it is called adultery. Nonetheless, John ...
.[Patricia Gutek ''Visiting Utopian Communities'', p. 137, University of South Carolina Press, 1998 ]
See also
* Coitus interruptus
* Coitus saxonicus
* Eroto-comatose lucidity
* Orgone
* Edging
Edging may refer to:
* Using an edger gardening tool
* Edging (climbing), a climbing technique
* Edging (orgasm), a form of orgasm control
* Edging (forging), an open-die forging process that concentrates material for further processing
* "Edging ...
* Sex magic
* Tantric sex
* Taoist sexual practices
* Venus Butterfly
References
Further reading
*
Republished:
*
*
*
* Also available as
*
External links
*
*
*
* (Audio Book)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Coitus Reservatus
Sexual acts
Virtue