I read the book, “Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy”. The author describes a state of being known as tapas. Tapas is allowing yourself to feel and embrace pain. This acceptance of pain can cause feelings of ecstasy, when we do not try to avoid or escape it. The author, Georg Fueurstein, also relates tapas to some women in childbirth.
I have read a few books and frowned when I came across women who said they had orgasmic births. Thinking, “What kind of freak mess is this, childbirth hurts”. But, after thinking more about the subject I realized the sensations we feel are simply energy. Women have the power to transform the energy of pain during childbirth into something blissful. Instead of fighting this pain we have the ability to welcome and embrace it. When we feel these contractions we can own it, instead of running from it. Women can move with the sensations and send it to different places in their mind, body, and spirit. We can use this energy to actually make childbirth easier and faster. I realize now that if we can manipulate this energy using our minds and spiritual tools, such as crystals, which we know can transform energy, women can make childbirth an empowering experience filled with ecstasy.
Embracing pain alone could help families to avoid fear which leads to epidurals and pitocin. Which sometimes leads to heart rate issues and Caesarean sections. The fear of childbirth and pain causes so many women to feel that the should not be in control and leave their destiny in someone else’s hands. Many doctors and some midwives in hospital settings will prey on the mother’s fear of pain.
“Lack of Fear is the Lack of Opposition”
Iya Raet
http://www.afrikanparenting.com/ , LEARN MORE ABOUT PARENTING HOLISTICALLY!
Thank You!
Sis, I really needed to hear that. Especially after reading the much more painful previous post. I'm looking forward to childbirth, trying to get as much info as I can as I am just a few weeks along. Thanks for this. I have saved and copied it. I just have to remember to meditate on it throughout the 8th month lol. Bless
PS. I just got your book! anxiously awaiting its arrival
In hindsight...
I just gave birth to baby number five 18 short months ago...
And I fully agree...contractions are energy...overwhelmingly physical energy...for me the difficulty is that every part of me is being stimulated...every nerve, every muscle, every piece of tissue in my body and that is difficult to wrap my brain around...and so I internalize it as pain...in Spiritual Midwifery it is mentioned that women are not usually challenged to be as physical as they have to be during birth, that we are usually more cerebral...I know that this is definitely the case with me
BUT
everyone who is with me while I give birth assures me that I treat the process as a sensual act...they say that my moans sound like I am experiencing pleasure and that even when I writhe I look as if it is ecstatic and not painful...*blink and shrug*...AND
I was even told by my son's father that watching me give birth is sexy and arousing and erotic...he says that the way I move, the noises and I make and the things I say are almost identical to my lovemaking sounds and moves
all of this is an outside perception
but because more than one person said it, and because I had heard of orgasmic birth as a goal I took and take it all as truth
so yes Iya Raet...I agree and cosign and clap to it
http://yeyeyeyeo.blogspot.com
Mothering is an act of revolution!
Marvelous!
Such a wholistic offering to a completely universal experience. A vital word for a Sista like me in particular. I have yet to experience the spirually sensuous act of sex; and for this very reason...motherhood. Both a connected and so sacred and a serious matter to me and my humble life, I treat every step of each with the highest regard. I find them gifts for the human experience, and motherhood part of my divine way and role in this world. Though that is manifested in a myriad of ways.
Give thanks for sharing this, Queen. I'll have to get my hands on that book!
Peace.
Evidence of Divine Presence... Sharing Sista Wit and Womb Wisdom... Experience my MentalSoulKiss...
INFINITE PEACELOVEBLESSINGS BELOVED!
http://www.myspace.com/afrobohemia
I agree!
Well I would not go so far as calling the birth of my youngest son orgasmic but I have to admit that I was more empowered and enlightened by the experience than anything else. I had no epidural but felt little to no pain maybe a slight burn when his crown showed but nada mas. I was extremely delighted that I was allowed to have this baby naturally and not with an emergency caesarean like the first, no apprehension or fear just pure delight.
Blessings,
Chayil
http://chayil-sacred-woman.blogspot.com/