For many people who are looking to take their sex life to a higher level by combining elements of spirituality, the first place they turn is to the ancient Kama Sutra.

The Kama Sutra was written in its original form in the 8th century B.C. and it was used as a guide for not just better and more satisfying sex, but also as a way to bond with your partner beyond just sex.

It is thought that if enough care is taken and both partners are equally interested in each others pleasure as much as their own, that a level of transcendence can be obtained in which a blissful spiritual state is reached through mutual sexual satisfaction.

Let us take a look at a few recommendations by Kama Sutra experts on how you can get the most out of your sex life.

1) Getting ready.

The Kama Sutra stressed an emphasis on being clean. This is a key tenant of the Kama Sutra since by being clean, both partners can enjoy each other without and distraction.

It is recommended that a full shower and scrub down be incorporated into everyday sex, it is even recommended as being part of foreplay. The Kama Sutra also suggests that special emphasis be placed on the breath. A good long brushing followed by some mouth wash is a good way to make the most sensual part of the body, the mouth, ready for intimacy.

2) Foreplay.

One of the main stresses of the Kama Sutra is patience and sensuality. These are a key part of foreplay.

Touch is the one sensation humans crave more than all others, and when it comes to the Kama Sutra, slow, sensual, patient touch is vital. Both lovers should communicate what areas of their body are especially sensitive to erotic touch and each person should take note to concentrate on these areas.

The Kama Sutra places special meaning to the kiss. If you think that the only place for a kiss during sex is on your lover lips, then you need to read up. Kissing should be done on every place you can think of on the body of your partner. Make sure you are taking your time and caressing at the same time. Let your entire body become a sexual object that exists only to please your partner.

3) Oral Sex.

While any part of the traditional Kama Sutra that partners may not find to their liking can be skipped, most partners enjoy oral sex as part of their regular sexual routine. With the Kama Sutra, the same principals that are taught above are emphasized: patience, touching, kissing and exploration. For the woman, try kissing, touching and breathing on the area around the genitals, not just on the penis itself.

The same for the men, the entire body is a sexual organ and you should treat it like such. If things get too hot and heavy and you wish to draw things out longer, take frequent breaks and talk to each other about what worked and what did not.

4) Penetration.

Maybe the most famous part of the Kama Sutra are the unorthodox (at least to many Westerners) sexual positions that are used. The running theme with these is that they are very deliberate and rigid. The reason why is that every position allows couples to experience a new sensation.

New parts of the body will come into contact with that of your partner and there will be different angles, speeds and depths of penetration with each position that allows for an entirely new experience.

There are so many different sexual positions in the Kama Sutra that you could try a different one per week and it would take years for you to go through them all. Do not be afraid to be adventurous and keep trying if you have trouble getting into a particular position. It will be worth it.

5) Other sexual positions.

Anal sex is practiced by over half of North American couples, and while it still carries somewhat of a taboo, it can be a wonderful experience for both partners.

A few precautions to take into account before hand. Make sure the receiving partner is as clean as possible.

Second, make sure there is plenty of lubricant for penetration and third, go slowly. While the Kama Sutra does not mention anal sex persey, they do mention the anus as a sensual zone that, if properly cleaned, can be very erotic and should not be ignored during sexual intercourse.

6) Cooling down.

Once you have both gotten your fill, do not stop the erotic nature of your encounter. Cooling down can be just as much fun as the initial heat up.

Partners should continue to touch and remain nude and intimate if at all possible. Another shower is a great way to scrub each other off and continue touching at the same time.

Just because (hopefully) both partners have orgasmed does not mean the sensuality has to stop.

7) Practice makes perfect.

While most couples do not need any extra encouragement to engage in sex, with the Kama Sutra, sex can become a spiritual experience.

With the extremely slow build up, the incredible intimacy and sensuality, when the inevitable release happens, it can be the closest thing many of us experience to being close to God.

The Kama Sutra is a fantastic way to expand the realms of your sex life and your spirituality at the same time. The more you try it, the better you will get at it.

The Kama Sutra is truly an amazing creation. It combines the best of human nature with spirituality to create a deep and wonderful experience. It may not be for the less adventurous of us out there, but for many, the Kama Sutra is like a shining door that opens into heaven.

The words ‘Kama Sutra’ conjure scenes of exotic decadence into the minds of people in modern day times, seeming alluring and even almost illicit.

Translated into thousands of different texts, the Indian manual of sexual experience addresses not only the practicalities of sexuality, but also the courtesies, manner of living and how to successfully relate with a sexual partner in a deeply meaningful manner.

The text also records curious niceties that were practiced in ancient India that are a little antiquated to be relevant to modern relationships, but are points of interesting conversation none the less.

The History of the Erotic Texts

The Kama Sutra is the most famous of a collection of Indian erotic texts, and is probably not original; the author Vatsyayana Mallanaga probably collected and reworked a range of existing Sanskrit manuals to write his work.

Written between 100-500 AD, the society which created these works was one of sensual awareness and respect for the sacredness of sexual relations, while recognising some practices as holy and others as forbidden.

Encompassing sixty-four arts, the manual was designed to be utilised by the upper castes of Indian societies. Young women were taught the Kama Sutra as a part of their education before marriage, and men were expected to live by the same lifestyle laws. Other texts written in a similar context include Ratirahasya a.k.a. Kokashastra by Kokkoka (translated into English by S. C. Upadhyaya-1965); Ratiratnapradipika by Devaraja (translated into English by Rangaswami Iyengar-1923) and Ratisastra by Nagarjuna (translated into English by A. C. Ghose-1904).

The Ideals of the Kama Sutra

The man who is ingenious and wise, who knows the intentions of others and also the proper time and place for doing everything, can gain over, very easily, even a woman who is very hard to be obtained

Kama Sutra Part I

Within the text there are some interesting concepts, which are all too relevant to romance today. The recognition of the differences between women and how to court these different women in a manner that suits her are examples of this.

Despite the manual-like appearance of the text and the almost cold-blooded scientific descriptions within it, the work certainly offers clear, matter-of-fact assistance in romance.

The Kama Sutra also recognises that ‘kama’(love and sexual gratification) is only one part of life; the other two parts being ‘dharma’ (to be religious and/or a good member of society) and ‘Artha’ (to acquire and manage wealth in an appropriate manner).

These ideas are outdated, but the notion of the three being entwined suggests that love should pervade the entire lifestyle, and that romance can be a primary factor in an individual’s life rather than a secondary one.

The Kama Sutra in Modern Society

Although some of the ideas and concepts recorded in the Kama Sutra may be relevant only to the Indian society it was written for, there are many pieces of valuable information that can be gleaned from the text.

Psychologists who have studied the book note that it has very positive messages in terms of creating an equal and loving relationship, using sex as a means to demonstrate love.

The forms of lovemaking, including kissing and caressing as well as the sexual positions, are designed to enhance the physical connection between men and women and to offer a more creative and vibrant aspect to sexual relations.

The Kama Sutra also provides practical information about courtship and reading a woman’s body language, although some of this information is antiquated. It discusses lover’s quarrels, responses to certain attractions and how to use these reactions to the advantage of the man wooing the woman.

The Story of the Kama Sutra

Knowing love, I will allow all things to come and go. To be as supple as the wind, and take everything that comes with great courage. Life is right in any case. My heart is as open as the sky.

From the movie ‘Kama Sutra’

Perhaps the most exciting thing about the Kama Sutra is the amazing idea of a society structured with a high tolerance of sexual behaviour and an awareness of the sacredness of sex.

The Kama Sutra tells an intriguing story about this old, exotic society, its courtesies and practices. The tales of how to behave at garden parties, drinking parties and festivals are delightful to any interested in ancient societies, conjuring images in the mind of peacocks roaming through bright gardens and men and women reclining in rose arbours with teas and exotic delicacies.

The other interesting points in the text include descriptions on how to deal with courtesans, the forms of marriage and the women of the royal harem.