To start with no one can argue that the purpose of sex is about having children. For sex is by no mean the only method of reproduction. Lots of organisms on this planet reproduce either by division like amoebae, by laying self-fertilized eggs like aphids or by hermaphrodite means like most flowering plants. So why have Sex ?

The currently much publicized and controversial genetic angle focuses on understanding the huge amounts of information coded in tiny bits of protein known as genes. This genetic material lays inside every cell of most organic life-form on this planet. The entire organism is coded in each gene. The cells organize themselves in complex and coherent structures by switching on or off certain parts of the coding they store. This muting of genetic information allows for the generation of differentiated structures co-operating to form elaborate life-forms. When we have sex and reproduce, we "randomly" shuffle half of our genetic material with half of our partner's thereby creating diversity and multiplicity within the Human race. While an aphid's offsprings are all completely identical, lest the occasional and accidental mutation, us humans, show tiny variations within the genetic signature we share.

It is argued that there is an evolutionary gain in sharing genetic material despite the heavy costs ensued by such a method of reproduction. For example, because generations of aphids are all the same, they become vulnerable to any pathogen that discovers the key to exploiting such a bonanza of susceptible individuals. To a point, our diversity protects us against a similar fate by offering varied immune responses.

As mentioned, sexual reproduction is costly. Taking into account such factors as premature ejaculation, impotence, lack of orgasm, menstrual problems, sexually transmitted diseases, the complication of birth, the special vulnerabilities and demands of infants, the inevitable conflicts between parents and between parents and their children, sexual reproduction is fraught with difficulty. On top of these costs, according to post-Darwinian ideas, sexual reproduction is at the core of intense competition to find and keep a mate which also causes more problems. While the cost may be heavy for the individual, it seems outweighed by gains beneficial to the whole species.

All the same, most of us are not in touch with the ruthless and selfish genes which are placed at the very core of our sexual drive by geneticians. According to them, our sex-drive is purely the result of a biological impulse to spread our own genetic material. Most of us though, are in touch with the drive itself. What we do with it largely depends on the culture in which we live. In each culture, sexuality is wrapped in rituals, customs, rules and believes which serve as regulating and connecting principles for people. From the institutionalized homosexuality of ancient Greeks to arranged marriages, I think it would be fair to say that the whole range of possible sexual behaviour has been explored. Whether certain aspects of this range are expressed or repressed seem to be mainly informed by the local and prevalent Culture. And whether these sexual acts are productive or not of offsprings seem quite irrelevant when contrasted with the balancing affect it has on the individual and on society as a whole. In fact, the production of offsprings is often highly undesirable as evidenced by the numerous methods of contraception devised by human ingenuity.

The Indian Chakra system offers a different and useful perspective on sexuality. According to this system, the human body has seven energy centres (seven Chakras). The root of this energy is located at the base of the spine, in the genital region, and is often symbolized by a coiled snake (Kundalini). The other Chakras are located in key positions up the spine, in the throat, in between the eyebrows and finally at the vertex of the head. With the practice of meditation and yoga, the base Chakra energy is raised to the other energy centres. As this movement is initiated, the raw, primitive sexual energy is transmuted and refined into more subtle energy expressed according to the nature of the Chakra it has reached. Parallels to this system can be found in both Western and Taoist Alchemical traditions as well as in the Freudian idea of sublimation. Such systems imply that personal responsibility is involved when expressing purely sexual, transmuted or sublimated energy. What a contrast with the genetic perspective in which we are puppets at the hands of our genes !

Clearly, the question of relatedness also has to be addressed when dealing with sexuality. Love (there ! I've said it !) becomes the necessary binding agent to warm, humane and compassionate relationships. "When power dominates, love cannot exist and conversely when there is love there is no need for power" said Carl G. Jung in an attempt to outline the incompatibility between the gratification of raw, instinctual drives and a heartfelt approach to relatedness. On this note, I leave you to meditate on these mysterious and wonderful topics, till next time....take care of you heart !