Paradigm said:

To commune with the transcendent, it helps to avoid the distractions of the physical world.

---

Unless your model of transcendence includes the sexual domain as part of the transcendent experience. The Kabbalistic model seeks to (alchemically) join 'the Moon' (Yesod) with 'the Sun' (Tiphereth). It is a 'Hierosgamos' - a sacred marriage. Sexual intercourse on Friday night - the Jewish Sabbath - draws the Shekinah, the indwelling feminine aspect of G-D to the marriage bed (according to the tradition). The Union should include the Yesodic climax as well as the Tipherethic love - loins and heart - eros and agape. Lightning path downward, serpentine path upward.

FungusMan said:

This coincides with the belief that men exude energy, whilst women draw theres from outside sources. Ever notice that men usually wanna fall asleep after sex, while alot of women get a energy rush and clean the house or something?

---

Something from my notes:



http://www.antiaging.com/cyberhealth/CyberHealth_21.html

III. THE ROLE OF OXYTOCIN

A fourth "love" chemical that plays a very important and wonderful part in relationships is oxytocin ? a peptide composed of nine amino acids. It is responsible for stimulating uterine contractions during birth, triggering the "let-down" reflex during nursing, and giving new moms that mothering, nurturing feeling towards their baby. However, it also plays a very important role in romantic love.

Often called the "cuddling chemical," oxytocin makes both men and women calmer and more sensitive to the feelings of others. Cuddling and calming are actually Phase II of oxytocin?s effect. Phase I is its power to arouse. In women it signals orgasm by stimulating uterine contractions. Women may be more capable of having multiple or whole-body orgasms as a result of oxytocin overload. In men, moderate concentrations of oxytocin facilitate both erection and ejaculation. Its production is cued by a lover?s voice, a gentle touch, a familiar fragrance, or a certain look. The more partners touch one another, especially the breasts, the more oxytocin is produced resulting in increased arousal and a better likelihood of achieving orgasm.

Other oxytocinogenous zones are the earlobes, lips and nose. Following the ecstasy, oxytocin promotes the desire to cuddle and may even play a role in inducing high quality REM sleep. (Personally, I think oxytocin is a bit sexist ? it makes women want to cuddle and men want to sleep!)