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Taoist Secrets of Love

by Mantak Chia[1]

Summary of the Principles of Taoist Cultivation of Sexual Energy


'Taoist Secrets of Love' cover3. Conservation of sexual energy is the first principle of cultivation. Ejaculation of the male seed for purposes other than having children is a wasteful loss of an extremely precious treasure. The energy loss over long periods of time weakens the physical health of the male, can lead to unconscious emotional anger towards women and gradually robs the male higher mind/spirit of its power to rejuvenate itself. For this reason many traditional spiritual orders in the world require male celibacy. Taoists accept sexual love as natural and healthy, but know the momentary pleasure of genital orgasm with ejaculation is superficial compared to the profound ecstasy possible when love is enjoyed without the loss of the powerful male seed. It's every man's birthright to have full control over his bodily functions and prevent this loss. The secret Taoist methods of sealing the penis in order to conserve "ching" are given in Chapters 5 thru 8. Click image to visit Amazon for details on book.

4. Transformation of sex energy is the second principle of cultivation. During sexual arousal, the "ching" or sexual essence stored in the testicles expands rapidly and causes some energy to naturally rise to higher centers in the heart, brain, glands, and nervous system. This upward movement is cut short by ejaculation outward, so most men never become aware of the full power of their sexuality. the Taoist method perfects this upward transformation of sex energy by opening subtle channels from the genitals up the spine to the head and back down the spine to the navel. The expanding sexual energy is chanelled into this "microcosmic orbit" so it flows past all the major vital organs and harmonizes the etheric energy complexes in the body, called "Tan Tiens" by the Taoists (or "chakras" by the Hindus). (Chapters 7 and 8 )

5. Balancing the polarity of female-male (yin-yang) forces is the third principle of Taoist cultivation. Once the sex energy has been conserved and transformed up, a single man can use meditation to balance the male and female poles which exist inside every male body. In the practice of "dual" cultivation, a couple balances this field of energy between them by sharing and circulating their subtle energies. The relationship becomes a springboard to transform the sexual attraction into personal love and then into spiritual awareness and service. The power struggle between the sexes gradually diminishes and balancing their differences over work, family, love, and the purpose of existence leads them into deeper harmony. Balancing this core sexual polarity in a couple is true depth psychology, as it nourishes man and woman at their inner-most root. Chapter 9 details the "valley orgasm" method of exchanging the yin and yang energy during intercourse. A higher level of this practice involves exchanging energy without sex, or having orgasm within oneself, and must be learned from a master. (Chapter 18)

6. Don't over-emphasize physical sex in your daily practice, as it is easy to get stuck on pleasure without experiencing higher subtle energies. Proper sexual refinement is only one small part of the vast and all-encompassing Tao. If the mixture of your chi (general vital energy), ching (sex essence) and shien (spirit) is imbalanced, it will be difficult to unite yourself and feel whole and peaceful. Cultivating sex energy is important in nourishing your spirit, but without proper diet, exercise, meditation, virtuous moral behavior and love, true cultivation is impossible. Likewise, don't ignore sex and focus exclusively on the higher spiritual centers; the roof will easily fall without a strong foundation below. Tao is the wholeness of Heaven and Earth, true harmony for man is the middle way between them, found in the balanced integration of their subtle energy.

7. Avoid sex without love. It creates imbalances in your physical, mental and spiritual bodies and will slow your real growth. The Taoist techniques are meant to be practical, not mechanical. A woman seeks tenderness of feeling in her lovers and will resent a man who is overly compulsive or preoccupied with his mechanical mastery of esoteric love methods. Dual cultivation is impossible without the full participation of the woman, who must transform up her yin essence stored in her ovaries. Regard the woman you love as more than a powerful generator of yin energy; she is foremost a human being worthy of your full love and respect....


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  1. Taoist Secrets of Love: Cultivating Male Sexual Energy by Mantak Chia, Aurora Press, NY (1984).