Integrating Sexuality and Spirituality
Upon seeing a need for an integral model of sex therapy, Gina Ogden developed the ISIS model. The Circle is similar to one she uses to illustrate the relationship between mind, body, spirit, and heart.
ISIS Model Explained:
The Physical Path (Sensation):
This path of the ISIS model contains those experiences relating to the actual physical account of sex. It is all of the senses, the pain and pleasure, the arousal and orgasm. It is the aspect of sex that relates to the human body.
The Emotional Path (Passion and Compassion):
This path is the emotional experience of the sexual encounter. It is both the open-heartedness and feelings of immense joy that come with sexual experiences. However, it can also be the feeling of sadness and despair that may accompany a sexual experience.
The Mental Path (Choice):
The sexual experience has a mental component that consists of beliefs and messages about sex. This is the part of your being that experiences memories and dreams (perhaps even fantasizes) However, with these memories and thoughts can be guild and shame: the other side of the mental path. Fear of sex may be based in the mental path.
The Spiritual Path (Meaning):
Some people claim to feel closer to God when having sex; this is where the spiritual path comes into play. The feeling that you are a part of something larger than yourself during sex can bring on great energy and satisfaction. It can also bring the oppposite. Isolation and loneliness can come with sex. Depression can sometimes creep its way in.
The Center (Where the Paths Meet):
When the paths converge during a sexual experience you can only imagine what the experience is like. With all aspects of one's being tied together in the sexual experience, words fail to make meaning of those kind of moments. Time does not matter.
The Shadow of The Center (When the Paths Unfortunately Meet Too Strongly):
By now you have realized that sexual experiencing is so vast and complicated that the merger of body, spirit, mind, and heart could lead an individual to feel paralyzed by the pain, guilt, depression, and anxiety that may ensue in sexual encounters.