Masters Thesis

Impact of orgasmic meditation

Orgasmic Meditation (OM) is a mindfulness-based, partnered consciousness/sexuality practice designed to create connection and intimacy through finger to genital contact, The purpose of the study was to gather demographic information on the OM community, and examine the perception of the effects of OM on the following categories: intimate/ romantic relationships, familial relationships, friendships, health, mental health, professional life, and religious/spiritual life. In an anonymous online survey, 419 OM trained participants answered both open and close-ended questions. Both the quantitative and qualitative data show that participants overwhelmingly experience positive effects of OM across all categories studied. Statistical analysis shows gender differences across categories. For women, being in a relationship is significantly associated with positive effects of OM in the area of intimate/romantic partnerships. For men, being in a relationship is significantly associated with positive effects of OM in the area of friendships. Furthermore, number of OMs is significantly associated with positive effects of OM in the area of health for women, and for men in the area of friendship. All other categories were significantly associated with number of OMs for both men and women. Findings also suggest the positive benefits of OM are accessible regardless of age, sexuality, education, income or how/where participants learned to OM. My study examines the broader social implications of OM and expands knowledge of the practice of OM. Overall my study finds that the practice of OM challenges sexual scripts, patriarchal gender norms; and offers a new way for thinking about sexuality, pleasure and sexual dysfunction.

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