The Daily Enlightenment - June 12th: Sexual Tension

There exist sexual tension between the sexes at every level to some extent, between strangers, and even siblings, often subtle though. I do not like this feeling of tension. I used to feel uneasy when around the opposite sex. But if we were to see beyond the outer, we would see that we are all simply sentient beings in search of happiness, while harbouring the same perfect Buddha within. Recalling this brings me a sense of reverence and peace rather than excitement or lust.

It was the Buddha who uttered, "There is nothing in this world that attracts a man more than the shape of a woman. There is nothing in this world that attracts a woman more than the shape of a man." As I learn more about Buddhism and equanimity, I begin to feel more at ease. I began to see that sexual tension exists not so much "naturally" or "biologically," but more out of our attachment to superficial appearances. Have we seen the essence beneath the superficial?