Sexuality as a Transformational Path: Exploring the Holistic Dimensions of Human Vitality

Malkemus, Samuel Arthur; Romero, Mariana T

doi:10.24972/ijts.2012.31.2.33

IJTS

2012

DOI: 10.24972/ijts.2012.31.2.33

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Sexuality as a Transformational Path: Exploring the Holistic Dimensions of Human Vitality

Samuel Arthur Malkemus¹,

Mariana T Romero²

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Cited by 2 publications

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“…Malkemus (2012) states that "the participatory approach calls us to reflect upon the way in which the spiritual dimensions of our experience overlap and intertwine with the biology of our sensuous environment and bodily identities" (p. 212). His co-authored paper (Malkemus & Romero, 2012) discusses sexuality as a transformational path. They propose that when sexuality is comprehended as a creative force of life energy it can be engaged with in a way that leads to transformation, healing and growth.…”

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heuristic inquiry into the transformative potential of optimal sexuality within a relational context

Hellyer¹

2022

Conscious Spiritual Transpers Psychol

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This study aimed to explore transpersonal dimensions of sexuality, in particular the transformative potential of sexuality. Heuristic inquiry (Moustakas, 1990) was chosen as the research methodology. Six couples who self-identified as having an optimal sexuality were interviewed to discover their individual and joint experiences of sexuality and their sense of transformation. The data was examined and developed into individual, exemplary and composite depictions, the latter of which is presented here as the results. The results show two general themes of transformation: (1) a sense of sexual evolution, and (2) a sense of before and after transformation. In addition, there were a range of transformations in the three areas of (1) personal, (2) relational and (3) sexual transformation. While they interrelate and it was not possible to clearly differentiate them, all co-researchers felt that the sexual area contributed to the personal and relational. The discussion in this report interprets the results through a transpersonal lens in three ways: (1) How this type of sexuality is experienced as a dyadic, movement-based, embodied, mindfulness practice, (2) how it cultivates vital energy, and (3) how it forms part of a participatory spirituality. Scope for further research into transpersonal sexology is also identified.

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confidence: 99%

heuristic inquiry into the transformative potential of optimal sexuality within a relational context

Hellyer¹

2022

Conscious Spiritual Transpers Psychol

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Sexual Disembodiment: Sexual Energy, Trauma, and the Body

Malkemus

Smith

2021

Journal of Humanistic Psychology

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This article introduces the concept of sexual disembodiment as a functional term for understanding the bodily dynamics of sexual trauma and the dissociative process that may follow. Its contribution lies in bringing an understanding of sexual health and sexual trauma into the framework of somatic psychology. It is suggested that sexual disembodiment can occur when the experience of sexuality causes distress; sexuality is then coupled with fear, dissociated to varying degrees, and suppressed from embodied awareness. While recognizing the primary role that biology and neurophysiology play in the formation of sexual identity, the authors also highlight the social construction of sexual life and suggest that oppression of nonnormative sexual identities can constrain healthy sexual expression. This article takes a holistic approach to sexual experience, combining an experiential understanding of sexual energy with a neurophysiological understanding of sexual trauma to frame a perspective on sexual disembodiment that is person-centered, socially informed, and critical of reductive tendencies within biomedical models of mental health. It is suggested that healing sexual disembodiment may be a critical step in liberating authentic sexual identity.

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Sexuality as a Transformational Path: Exploring the Holistic Dimensions of Human Vitality

Cited by 2 publications

References 10 publications

heuristic inquiry into the transformative potential of optimal sexuality within a relational context

heuristic inquiry into the transformative potential of optimal sexuality within a relational context

Sexual Disembodiment: Sexual Energy, Trauma, and the Body

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