The Submissive Wife | Resources | Prayer of Constant Arousal

Resources | The Spirituality of Sustained Sexual Awareness

The Prayer of Constant Arousal

he practical aspects of maintaining intense arousal cause many to feel confusion, guilt—even embarrassment shame. Yet these discomforts are easily outweighed by the comfort that comes from obedience to the disciplines we each embrace not as punishments, but as opportunities. Constant arousal is exhilarating and even surprising. But as an aspect of awareness and watchfulness it is subject to the same elusiveness that troubles many of us as we seek clarity on this journey. One thoughtful participant has provided helpful notes on this process.

“A

wonderful world exists all around us and even within us. I believe that the prayer of constant arousal is an effective way to become aware of this world, to participate in it, to be more alive, and even to be transformed. I have found that simply by praying this prayer without ceasing and embracing this approach to the discipline of watchfulness I am able to not only strengthen my own mindfulness but also to become an instrument to help others become aware as well. Thus, transformation spreads from one to another as we share ourselves and our gifts with others. Ultimately, it is possible for the entire world to be transformed.

It is clear to me that to participate in this world, I must be awake and ready on every level of my being—body, mind, heart and soul. Indeed, the prayer of constant arousal means that not only the body, but the mind, heart, and soul are also aroused. As participants we are guided in ways of connecting these aspects of our lives. As they are all connected, when one is aroused, they all become aroused. This realization often surprises newcomers to this project.

owever one arrives at the point in which they begin to pray this prayer, which is more or less simply a way of maintaining focus differently, more effort is required in the beginning, yielding to greater ease as time passes and experience accumulates. It is possible to begin just by focusing on maintaining a high level of arousal of the body throughout the day. As most are not accustomed to maintaining this state in the midst of daily interactions and activities, this requires diligence, creativity and even a little experimentation. Different things work for different people at different times. Ultimately, you must do all that you can to stir yourself and to maintain that focus even though it is so easy to be distracted.

In the beginning, it is so easy to lose focus and forget. That’s natural; after all, how many of us have lived in a constant state of arousal before coming here? Simple but effective means of making sure that focus is not lost can be used to help remind you to come back, to “check in” with your consciousness and to return to a state of passionate watchfulness. You may leave simple notes for yourself with simple messages or even with just a word that can help remind you. You may choose to wear a bracelet or some other type of jewelry to help remember. In the very beginning, one simple thing may be enough, such as wearing a skirt without panties, but as you become accustomed to one way, it is likely that more will required.

The important thing is to focus on doing your best and not letting yourself become discouraged if your arousal is not constant. You must have some faith and keep trying despite any difficulties that you may experience. It is my belief that this is pleasing in and of itself. It is a way of letting go of control and opening oneself to the possibilities.

t seems almost inevitable to me that if one maintains this focus, keeping one’s body aroused nearly all of the time, perfectly or imperfectly, it becomes easier to see things, to make connections. For me, this was exciting and it helped to increase my hunger for knowledge. I was filled with love and gratitude and I became more aware of God in everything. I believe that in raising the arousal of my body, the arousal of my mind, heart, and soul increased as well. I made the connection and knew that I wanted more. As a result, I was encouraged to persevere in my efforts to keep my body constantly aroused.

I started to become more aware of my deepest needs and desires. As I became increasingly aware of them, this helped me further in my efforts to maintain a high level of arousal at all times. In fact, it began to require less effort on my part. Some of my desires included a strong desire to be obedient at all times in all things, to be watchful, awake and listening, and to always be ready for opportunities to be pleasing to others, to give myself to others. I increasingly desired to submit deeply on all levels, to surrender, and to do everything possible to be ready at all times.

Not only have I become more aware of these desires, I feel them…they are real…I am hungry. I am aroused…all of me is aroused, my body, my mind, my heart and my soul. My hunger definitely helps increase my level of watchfulness as I seek opportunities to obey, please, submit, and to give myself. Increasingly, I see beauty all around me and feel the presence of my Creator. I am stirred to love. More and more I see that everything is connected and I get positively swept up in the intricacies and magnificence of it all. Each moment is significant and each day is beautiful no matter the difficulties. I begin to sense the sweet but incomprehensible love of my Creator who has given me so much. At times I feel intoxicated by it. His love is strong, gentle, sweet, all-knowing, and ever-present.

There are moments in the course of my day when I get overcome by it all and have to stop for a moment. It is like a wave sweeping over me and filling me and I am overwhelmed by it. I swoon. It can happen as I am walking outside or in my office or wherever and I find that I need to grab onto something to support myself as I experience it. I savor these moments—they are a gift. They are so intense and wonderful—and, it seems, impossible to describe, but the effect stays with me for a while. There is a deliciousness to it.

s time passes, less and less effort is required to pray this prayer, to maintain a state of constant arousal. One is able to focus in this way without needing to think so much or to have to remind oneself to keep coming back. The focus is always present and for me, I feel as though I am never alone. I seek to be pleasing in all that I do. This focus carries into all that I do and every interaction that I have during the course of my day. Increasingly, I become more aware of the Divine presence within me and as a result, I become more and more aware of my transparency. With barely any effort at all, I am wet, no matter where I am or what I am doing. And I love that I am ready to be used on all levels, physically, sexually, intellectually, spiritually, and so forth. I wish to submit to the will of another and it in no way feels like a sacrifice. Instead, it is what keeps me going; it is what I live for: to be a willing instrument, to be used as He pleases. This is my ever-present focus and it keeps me constantly aroused at all times. My attention increases, my work improves, my heart is full, my mind engaged, my soul lifted up.

It may seem difficult to believe that constant arousal can happen with practically little or no effort. Yet, it is possible. (See the note titled “Finding a way to stay awake,” below.) You begin by focusing on raising and maintaining your body’s level of arousal and then somewhere along the way you realize that you are always wet without having to work at it and regardless of the interactions and activities in one’s day. You persist. One day you realize that your focus is ever-present.

Once one becomes aware of a desire to open this door, a decision must be made. One must decide to retreat or to follow the path wholeheartedly, willingly and openly. Partial acceptance of this in your life is not helpful. One must decide to let go, to surrender, to be open to submitting on a deeper level, and to do everything possible to be ready in all ways at all times. For me, initial awareness and a conscious decision to pursue this path constitute a point from which to begin. From there, I must do everything possible to affirm and renew this choice everyday, all day. Once you have passed through this doorway, there is no going back.

do believe that a leap of faith is required in order to begin any exploration of submission. It is difficult enough to explain how to enter this doorway, but it is impossible to find words to even begin to describe the world that exists just beyond this doorway. It is something that must be experienced. Once tasted, it can never again be ignored. Awareness of the choice made increases one’s desire for more. I often feel as though I can barely contain myself—my longing is so great. I find that I am comforted by knowing that there is more, always more—that this world is infinite. All of me is charged with great desire; all of me is aroused. And I realize that I am willing to do anything, anytime, anywhere—that I am not a whore, concerned only with my own interests and limited by what I get in return for what I give. Instead, I am more, eager to please, eager to give myself and to lose myself in doing so.

I know these words can overwhelm and intimidate, just as awareness can overwhelm and intimidate. Yet I have no desire to offend. It is all so intense and such an incredible gift. The possibilities are endless.” –j.j.

Text note: FINDING A WAY TO STAY AWAKE

Of course, there are countless methods to help achieve and maintain a high level of arousal. To me, the best ones seem to help increase my awareness of my vulnerability. They can range from how I dress (skirt without panties for example) to how I sit (with legs wide open as often as appropriate) to taking a moment to reflect on something that is sure to arouse to touching myself briefly to taking an opportune moment to masturbate.

Each woman outside our community should take into account what works best for her and also what is practical given her daily activities and interactions. If this is something that you wish to do, for whatever reason, you will find a way. Various practical approaches to awareness are discussed on a separate page (link below) and are also found in both the constant arousal discussion area and in the private workshop area devoted to body prayer. Access to these areas is restricted to community members only.

The password used to access links on this page may be changed without notice. For password access by project participants, contact the site administrator.

______________________________
SUSTAINED SEXUAL AWARENESS

Introduction to the Spirituality of Sustained Sexual Awareness

1. On Watchfulness | 2. The Prayer of the Body | 3. The Prayer of Constant Arousal

Practical approaches to constant arousal (access restricted)

Notes on Shame and Prayerfulness (access restricted)

______________________________

Last review: June 2007