Yin Yang and the Libido (Part 1)

An Energetic Approach to our Sex Drive

The libido is as popular a subject as it is a problematic issue. It is also a very touchy topic which not many dare approach, as it lays right in the middle of the gender minefield. So before we delve any further, let us make it very clear that, from the perspective of the ancient oriental tradition, neither approach nor terminology implies sexism in any way. Our discipline forces us to consider the male and female as different -yet equal. To put it clearly: equality of the sexes does not mean that both are identical in their traits and functions. When we talk of the yin as feminine and yang as masculine, we are not implying that those qualities only belong to either of the sexes. In fact, in the pure Taoist tradition, yin and yang are present in everything, so that there is yin in man as there is yang in woman. The secret is in how we find and maintain balance and harmony between the two.

1/ Libido and Climate

It is easily observed that sexual energy is strongly linked to ambient temperature. As controversial as it may seem, it is no less true that those who live in hotter climates tend to have, on average, a stronger sex drive. We also say of a person who arouse sexual thoughts in us that they are 'hot'.

There is no mystery here: sexual energy, just as any kind of 'moving' or 'doing' energy is Yang in nature. As warm climate allows Yang energy to regenerate quickly, whereas a cold climate (Yin in nature) tends to exhaust it.

But just as it is true that the climate has an effect on the average person living in hot or cold conditions, each individual is subject to their own set of circumstances, which makes them more or less able to receive that Yang energy. People in the heat of Rio may suffer from low sex drive just as there are plenty of very sexually active people in Iceland. Our libido is subject to our expenses of Yang as well as our ability to regenerate it.

2/ Libido and Ageing

Once again looking at averages, our libido seems the strongest during our younger years and diminishes with age. There are of course exceptions, for the same reasons of individual makeup and circumstances, but even among these people with strong libido, I am convinced that there is a difference between their libido at 20 years old and the one they have at 80 years old.

From an energetic perspective, youth corresponds to the Yang phase of our life. We move into the Yin phase as we get older.

3/ Libido and Gender (the sensitive part of the subject)

As controversial as this is going to sound, we cannot pretend to ignore that women struggle with lack libido more than men. This isn't to say that men can't have that problem as well. Again, there is Yin and Yang in all genders and both may suffer from either related-conditions.

However from the pure perspective of energetic theory, this is another indication that sexual energy is a Yang issue. Men, being more Yang in nature (as a general rule and not an absolute) naturally have more Yang energy available and therefore are less prone to suffer from the lack of it.

4/ The Chinese Medicine Perspective

Our sex drive is directly linked to the reproductive instinct. When we think instinct in Chinese medicine, we must think of the "Pro" (Po), or visceral entity of the Metal element (Lung / Large Intestine)

Libido is also linked to desire, which is an aspect of the wood element (Liver / Gall Bladder). I just so happens that the Liver is the master of our desires as well as responsible for the Genital Blood.

Libido is linked to our sexual organs and therefore an aspect of the lower burner.

When confronted with a libido issue in our patients, we must bear all these three aspects in mind to understand and address the problem, especially at a time when more and more people (from both sexes) are experiencing lack of libido.

In the next part of this article, we will explore the issue of the libido in the Five Elements and show how it is an issue that is within our control.