By Renee Burwell, LMSW
As a therapist who specializes in sexuality, I am often disheartened when I hear clients discuss their shame around masturbation and exploring their sexuality. Many say how they were raised that sexual thoughts, feelings, and actions were all sinful, and not something you should partake in prior to marriage.
Although I admire and respect self-control, I think it is very harmful to deny and deem your sexual appetite as something that is unnatural. Sex is a basic aspect of wellness, such as eating, sleeping, and exercise. You either use it or loose it. Sex whether with self or another is natural. It is even documented that fetuses in utero pleasure themselves by touching their genitalia.
Sexuality is part of our creative source. We were placed on this earth to procreate. There is nothing unnatural about sexuality except the denial of sexual pleasure. Embrace your sensuality. It is part of what connects us to one another. It is part of what makes us human. If embraced responsibly our sexuality is the essence our humanity. Take care of it; it is one of the purest forms of connecting the mind, body, and spirit.
Renee is a licensed Clinical Therapist. Find her at http://www.pandorasawakening.com.