400 1400


These source materials are thought to have appeared between 400 and 1400 CE.

Shiva Samhita (~14th Century)

Hindu god Shiva addresses his consort Parvati.

Assag (courtly love) (~12-13th centuries)

Assag was the supreme test of fin’ amor (“true love”) in the courtly love tradition.

The Mirror of Simple Souls by Marguerite Porete (~1300)

Did a Beguine hint at transcendental union between partners dependent upon self-control?

Zohar (~1280)

Might the earthly use of sex have split the androgynous divine couple?

De Amore (The Art of Courtly Love) by Andreas Capellanus (12th Century)

Did the courtly love tradition allude to non-ejaculatory intercourse?

Mishneh Torah by Maimonides (~1180)

Sephardic Jewish philosopher, doctor and influential Torah scholar offers sex advice.

Cathars (12th Century)

A rather chaste medieval sect retained some of the so-called Gnostic ideas of primitive (pre-papal) Christianity.

Tibetan Buddhism on orgasmic release (~11th Century)

The belief that orgasmic release is a means for achieving enlightenment is a root tantric downfall.

Tibetan Buddhism on losing bodhichitta (~11th Century)

Tantric practitioners precious bodhichitta drops are lost through sexual orgasm, with or without loss of bodily fluids.

Wisdom given to sage Naropa included instructions for union with a consort.

For centuries some tantra sages have discouraged orgasm to improve spiritual clarity among other benefits.

Asidhāravrata: The sword’s edge observance

This ancient practice called for maintaining chastity while lying together with a sexually available woman.

Tirumantiram by Thirumular (~950 CE)

This ancient poetic work advised that controlled sexual union offers “delicious enjoyment for partners.”

Emerald Tablet (Tabula Smaragdina) (~7th Century)

The secret of transmutation preserved in an ancient Arabic text.

Talmud (~500)

Was the legendary Ark of the Covenant housed amid cherubs depicting sacred sex?

Hua Hu Ching by Lao Tzu (~5th Century)

Collection of Taoist wisdom supposedly preserved via oral tradition.



For earlier Synergy material try 1 CE – 400 CE and for slightly later ideas see 1400 CE – 1800 CE.