Nocturnal downpour

Wakes the lovers,

Floods the valley.

Making love is natural. Why be ashamed of it?

That seems simple, but it is actually a great challenge in these

complex times. Too many other layers of meaning have been imposed upon

sex. Religions straitjacket it, ascetics deny it, romantics glorify it,

intellectuals theorize about it, obsessives pervert it. These actions

have nothing to do with lovemaking. They come from fanaticism and

compulsive behavior. Can we actually master the challenge of having

lovemaking be open and healthy?

Sex should not be used as leverage, manipulation, selfishness, or

abuse. It should not be a ground for our personal compulsions and

delusions.

Sexuality is an honest reflection of our innermost personalities,

and we should ensure that its expression is healthy. Making love is

something mysterious, sacred, and often the most profound interaction

between people. Whether what is created is a relationship or pregnancy,

the legacy of both partners will be inherent in their creation. What we

put into love determines what we get out of it.