Why are the genitals so often vilified?
While other parts of the body—such as the heart and mind—are celebrated for their divine attributes, the lower parts are frequently shrouded in shame and silence.
Throughout history and across many cultures, our genitals have been associated with sin, impurity, and moral weakness. This taboo is so deeply ingrained that even discussions about sexuality and the sacredness of the body are often met with discomfort.
Yet, scripture and spiritual teachings from diverse traditions suggest a more inclusive and transformative perspective.
In this article, we explore the intriguing concept of the human body, particularly the genitals, and question whether they might have been created in the image of God. Drawing from Genesis, the Mahabharata, and spiritual practices across various traditions, we discuss how this perspective challenges societal norms and invites us to embrace a more holistic and sacred view of our being.
What Do the Ancient Texts Say?
The Book of Genesis states in 1:26, “Let us create man in our image, in our likeness.” In 1:27, it reiterates, “God created man in his image; male and female he created them.”
If we believe that humanity reflects the divine, this includes every part of our physical form—even the genitals.
In Indian scriptures, such as the Mahabharata, the principle “What is here is everywhere, and what is not here is nowhere” emphasizes the universality of divine presence.
These foundational texts – Genesis and the Mahabharata– shape the beliefs of billions worldwide. Despite their significant influence, the implications of these texts regarding the sanctity of the human body, including its often-taboo aspects such as the genitals, are frequently overlooked or misunderstood.
This omission not only limits our understanding of the scriptures but also perpetuates societal attitudes of shame and disconnection.
The Selective Sanctification of the Body
While many accept the divine likeness of the heart, mind, and soul, societal attitudes often desanctify the lower parts of the body.
Philosophers like Aristotle and Plato emphasized reason and intellect as divine attributes, but this focus has historically excluded our sexual and reproductive organs.
Our hearts are trained to emulate divine compassion, and our minds are disciplined to reflect divine clarity. Why, then, is the same effort not extended to the genitals?
This desanctification perpetuates shame and disconnection.
Tantra, Taoism, and alchemy offer a contrasting view, asserting that all parts of the body, including the genitals, can be honored as divine.
They embrace the sacredness of sexuality.
Shiva, a prominent Hindu deity, is worshipped through the Shiva Lingam, a smooth, cylindrical stone that sits upright on a circular base called the yoni– implicitly symbolizing penis and vagina and explicitly symbolizing the origin of life. It takes these two body parts united together to create life.
The Shiva Lingam is found in temples and is the focus of devotional practices where milk, water, and garlands are poured or offered as an act of reverence, symbolizing purity, fertility, and the flow of divine blessings.
This ritual acknowledges the creative and spiritual power inherent in these organs.
Another striking example comes from Ramakrishna, a revered 19th-century Indian saint, who performed devotional worship of his genitals, treating them as sacred manifestations of God.
Ramakrishna’s actions were not isolated eccentricities but deeply rooted in his spiritual philosophy. He viewed every aspect of the body – including the genitals – as a conduit for divine energy and believed that reverence of the only body parts able to create consciousness in a human shape was integral to spiritual enlightenment.
By sanctifying his body through rituals of devotion of his genitals, he demonstrated an alternative approach to spirituality, one that embraces rather than denies the sacredness of them.
Such practices challenge modern sensibilities but highlight the potential for reverence in all aspects of our being.
Inviting a Shift in Perspective
What would society look like if it embraced the idea that the entire body, including the genitals, is made in the image of God?
The current paradigm often associates sexuality with guilt and shame, as if it were inherently at odds with spirituality.
However, it is worth considering that Adam and Eve may have covered their genitals not out of shame but out of reverence for their sacred power. This perspective shifts the narrative from one of embarrassment to one of awe, acknowledging the generative and creative force inherent in these parts of the body.
A more inclusive spiritual code would align with the principles of Genesis and other scriptures, offering more harmony and cohesion between all body parts.
By sanctifying every aspect of our being—heart, mind, body, and genitals—we could achieve a deeper sense of peace and authenticity.
The Dangers of Repression
When societal codes suppress natural aspects of human existence, individuals often react in extremes.
On one end, people may internalize shame and live in perpetual conflict. On the other, they may rebel by rejecting all moral or spiritual codes, indulging in hedonism without regard for deeper fulfillment.
Neither extreme leads to true harmony.
Repression breeds guilt and self-denial, while unchecked indulgence leaves a void.
A balanced approach—acknowledging and sanctifying all parts of the self—offers a path to genuine peace and fulfillment.
Towards Cohesion and Sacred Living
Living fully by the simple truth of Genesis invites a profound transformation.
By honoring the divine likeness in every part of ourselves, we can transcend the dichotomy of shame and indulgence. This reinterpreted approach is the cement for cohesion within, allowing us to live in harmony with ourselves and the natural laws of the Creation.
When we see our bodies, including our sexual organs, as reflections of the divine, we unlock the potential for deeper joy, connection, and spiritual growth. The journey to sacred living begins with embracing the entirety of our being as holy and worthy of reverence.
Conclusion
The question of whether our genitals are created in the image of God is both challenging and provocative. It invites us to confront deeply ingrained taboos and rethink our relationship with the sacredness of the human body.
Yet, behind this provocative question lies a profound point: our entire being, including the parts we often overlook or stigmatize, is worthy of reverence and recognition as sacred.
By embracing the entirety of our bodies as reflections of divine creation, we take a step closer to living in harmony with ourselves and the world. This approach not only challenges harmful societal norms but also encourages us to cultivate a sense of wholeness, where no part of our being is excluded from spiritual significance.
In doing so, we not only honor the scriptures but also create a society rooted in acceptance, spirituality, and love—a society where every aspect of our existence is celebrated as divine and integral to our path toward unity with the divine.
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This article was edited and transcribed by Hakima from the following video: