Sensual Faith

1. Embrace Your Body as Sacred and Divine

Your body is holy. Just as it is. And that's gospel.

Body positivity is spiritual. The author argues that our bodies are divine creations, worthy of love and celebration. She challenges the notion that our physical forms are somehow separate from or inferior to our spirits. Instead, she posits that our bodies are temples of the divine, deserving of reverence and care.

Rejecting harmful narratives. Lyvonne encourages readers to reject religious and cultural messaging that demonizes or shames the body, especially women's bodies. She points out how historically, particularly in Black churches, women's bodies have been vilified and controlled. By reclaiming our bodies as sacred, we can heal from generations of internalized shame and disconnection.

Practical steps:

• Use anatomically correct terms for body parts
• Look at and appreciate your body in the mirror
• Speak kindly to yourself about your physical form
• Engage in sensory experiences that bring joy and pleasure

2. Challenge Religious Dogma That Demonizes Sexuality

Being comfortable in your flesh is godly.

Deconstructing harmful theology. The author takes aim at religious teachings that have made sexuality taboo or sinful, particularly for women. She argues that these interpretations are often based on mistranslations, cultural biases, and patriarchal agendas rather than the true spirit of sacred texts.

Reclaiming sacred sexuality. Lyvonne presents a theology that embraces sexuality as a divine gift, pointing to examples in scripture of sensual love and desire. She encourages readers to question teachings that have made them feel ashamed of their natural desires and to instead view their sexuality as a beautiful expression of their humanity and divinity.

Key points:

• Many "sexual sins" in the Bible are mistranslations or misinterpretations
• God created sexual pleasure, as evidenced by anatomy like the clitoris
• Healthy, consensual sexual expression can be a form of spiritual connection
• Purity culture causes lasting psychological damage

3. Nurture Your Intuition and Trust Your Inner Voice

Your intuition is always wooing you, and you are worthy of the woo.

Reconnecting with inner wisdom. The author emphasizes the importance of listening to and trusting our intuition, which she frames as a divine gift. She argues that societal conditioning and trauma have often disconnected us from this innate knowing, but that we can cultivate and strengthen it.

Intuition as spiritual practice. Lyvonne presents intuition as a form of divine guidance and ancestral wisdom. By learning to quiet external noise and tune into our inner voice, we can make decisions more aligned with our true selves and our spiritual path. She offers practical exercises for developing intuition and overcoming the fear of trusting ourselves.

Cultivating intuition:

• Practice mindfulness and meditation
• Pay attention to bodily sensations and "gut feelings"
• Keep a journal of intuitive hits and their outcomes
• Create space for quiet reflection in daily life
• Honor the wisdom of dreams and synchronicities

4. Confront and Heal from Sexual Trauma

Sis, I see you. I hear you. I acknowledge you. And I believe you.

Breaking the silence. The author addresses the pervasive issue of sexual trauma, particularly in Black communities and religious contexts. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and naming experiences of abuse, assault, and violation, rather than burying them in shame or silence.

Pathways to healing. Lyvonne offers a compassionate approach to healing from sexual trauma, emphasizing that it's a process that looks different for everyone. She encourages seeking professional help, building a supportive community, and engaging in practices that help reconnect with and reclaim one's body. The author also stresses the importance of dismantling systems and beliefs that perpetuate sexual violence.

Key healing practices:

• Therapy with a trauma-informed professional
• Somatic healing practices to reconnect with the body
• Establishing clear boundaries in relationships
• Educating oneself about consent and healthy sexuality
• Engaging in rituals or practices that feel empowering and reclamatory

5. Honor Your Emotions and Embrace Grief

Grief is just love with no place to go.

Emotional authenticity. The author challenges the cultural pressure to always appear strong or put-together, especially for Black women. She argues for the importance of feeling and expressing the full range of human emotions, including grief, anger, and sadness.

Grief as transformation. Lyvonne reframes grief not as something to be avoided or rushed through, but as a necessary and potentially transformative process. She encourages readers to create space for grief in their lives, whether it's mourning a death, a loss, or the pain of generational trauma. By fully embracing our grief, we can find healing and growth.

Honoring emotions:

• Allow yourself to cry when you need to
• Create rituals or spaces for processing difficult emotions
• Share your feelings with trusted friends or a therapist
• Use art, music, or movement to express emotions
• Practice self-compassion when experiencing challenging feelings

6. Prioritize Pleasure and Rest as Birthrights

Pleasure is your birthright.

Rejecting grind culture. The author critiques the societal pressure, especially on Black women, to constantly be productive and achieving. She argues that rest and pleasure are not luxuries, but essential components of a spiritually and emotionally healthy life.

Cultivating joy and ease. Lyvonne encourages readers to intentionally create more space in their lives for rest, play, and sensual pleasure. She frames this as a radical act of self-love and resistance against systems that have historically exploited Black bodies. By prioritizing our own joy and wellbeing, we honor our divine nature and our ancestors' struggles.

Pleasure practices:

• Schedule regular "do nothing" time in your calendar
• Engage in activities purely for fun, not productivity
• Explore sensual experiences: luxurious baths, massage, dance
• Say no to commitments that drain you
• Surround yourself with beauty in your environment

7. Reclaim Masturbation as a Gift from God

Masturbation is the gift from God that keeps on coming and giving at the same damn time.

Destigmatizing self-pleasure. The author directly confronts religious teachings that have made masturbation taboo or sinful. She argues that self-pleasure is a natural, healthy expression of our sexuality and a way to connect with our bodies and divine nature.

Self-exploration as self-love. Lyvonne frames masturbation as a powerful tool for sexual self-discovery and healing. By exploring our own bodies and desires without shame, we can learn to communicate our needs better in partnered relationships and develop a more positive relationship with our sexuality overall.

Mindful masturbation:

• Create a comfortable, private space for self-exploration
• Use quality lubricants and sex toys if desired
• Focus on sensation and pleasure, not just orgasm
• Experiment with different types of touch and stimulation
• Incorporate mindfulness or spiritual practices if it feels right

8. Practice Radical Self-Love and Acceptance

Your condition is a part of you, but it does NOT define you!

Embracing imperfections. The author encourages readers to love and accept all parts of themselves, including those society deems "flawed" or "unacceptable." She shares her own journey of learning to love herself while living with genital herpes, demonstrating how radical self-acceptance can be transformative.

Self-love as spiritual practice. Lyvonne frames self-love not as narcissism, but as a necessary foundation for loving others and connecting with the divine. She argues that by fully embracing and cherishing ourselves, we honor God's creation and open ourselves to deeper spiritual connection.

Self-love practices:

• Speak to yourself with the kindness you'd offer a dear friend
• Celebrate your body through movement, adornment, or sensual experiences
• Set boundaries that honor your needs and values
• Surround yourself with people who affirm and support you
• Engage in regular self-reflection and personal growth work

Last updated: September 20, 2024