Bliss Ireland ~ promoting Sexual Freedom, Health & Pleasure in Mind, Body & Spirit
Bliss Ireland is a not-for-profit project offering events that aim to bring together all aspects of our adult, sexual lives, in ways that acknowledge & respect:
- that human beings are whole beings - body, mind & spirit, that our sexual nature can be reflected in, & experienced through, & expressed by, all three
- individual freedom of choice
- that human beings have an inherent right to (consensual & legal) sexual pleasure, however we choose to experience & express it
- that human beings have a right to accurate & accessible sexual & reproductive health information & services
- that a free expression of sexuality, within the boundaries of consent between adults, not only has the potential to offer human beings a vibrant & healthy experience of life, both physically & emotionally, but also to open vistas of transformative & transcendent spiritual expansion.
The World Health Organisation defines Sexual Health as: ''a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.''
''Many people fear that when sexuality is brought out of the bedroom that it will result in it becoming uncontrollable & rapacious; it's been my experience that in alcohol-free conscious environments, such as our events, that the EXACT opposite of that is what happens. People, in general, become much more respectful & responsible with their sexual energy & eroticism, not less'' - Beth Wallace, Bliss Ireland Founder & Director
Bliss Ireland aims to
- provide events that reflect the above vision, to create spaces where adults (over 18s) can gather to discuss & explore these three concepts as a whole, each with equal value, & to express themselves accordingly.
- be inclusive of, & respect, all human beings equally; if you choose to identify with a particular sexual orientation, gender, sexual or relationship preference, religion or spiritual path etc that's your choice, all are welcome in an attitude of mutual respect.
“If sexual freedom is securely established, other freedoms will invariably follow. A society that values the individual’s freedom of erotic expression will necessarily establish the conditions under which other human rights and civil liberties will be generated, established and protected.”
-Barnaby B. Barratt, excerpted from “Why Sexual Freedom is a Fundamental Human Right, An Introduction to Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance’s State of Sexual Freedom Report”
A bit more......
Bliss Ireland creates events that aim to foster & promote Sexual Freedom, Health & Pleasure in Mind, Body & Spirit. Each event is different but the values & intentions behind them remain constant - that of deep care & respect for one's self & others. Of course your experience will be unique, but, it’s hoped that what follows will give you a flavour of what is being offered. You are warmly & sincerely invited to be a part of it.
In many parts of the world our experience of our whole selves as human beings has been fractured into different pieces – the mind & intellect nurtured & fostered with education & mental learning, bodies nourished by food, sports & whatever other ways one chooses that are open to us, & the spirit is fed in different ways too; for some by religion or other spiritual practices, for others by being in nature, & in other ways too.
Often times our sexual selves, the unique expression of the life force that drives & moves everything in the cosmos, is often left out of the equation, or else it’s packaged neatly & tidily into something to be taken care of medically, pathologised or legislated for by church or state, to be feared as something uncontrollable, predatory, dangerous & wild that must be regulated & tamed.
It’s rare in ‘’the west’’, particularly in Ireland, that space is given or taken to discuss, explore & experience this primal life force energy, to cultivate, nourish & nurture it as a way to experience greater vitality & vibrancy, to deeply connect with oneself & others & cultivate a deeper more expansive, & transcendent, experience of life itself, but one that still has a deep potency & virility.
This is what Bliss Ireland events aim to offer you: the opportunity to join a conversation that brings sexuality into the realms of mind, body, and spirit to the degree that feels good & right for you individually. Bliss Ireland intends a conversation between & about what it means to be a fully whole, vibrant & potent human being.
All events welcome all people, regardless of any labels you may choose to place upon yourself or that others may choose to place upon you. Previous attendees at events have called themselves gay, heterosexual, bisexual & label-less, male, female, genderless, trans, from many countries speaking many languages, ranging in age from their late teens to early 70s, black, white, Asian, single, partnered, monogamous, polyamorous, celibate etc – it’s a very diverse community, which is something we’re proud of, but there is one thing in common with most attendees at Bliss events – an open mind & heart.
What most people have enjoyed about previous Bliss events is both the opportunity to learn about new practices & ways of experiencing the world through the workshops, talks etc. & also simply the opportunity to meet like-minded people in relaxed & beautiful environments. If you attend one of our events you are most likely to meet people willing to explore & express what it means to be human in a way that expressly includes sexuality, spirituality & the consciousness of mind within this vast cosmos in which we are all travelling.
So, you are warmly invited to join the conversation, to learn about practices that may facilitate you having a different experience of your relationship with yourself & with others, to meet people to connect with in as much depth of intimacy as you mutually desire & within the boundaries of that particular event, to expand the boundaries of how you are in the world & indeed how you experience & witness it, as much as is comfortable for you, & to breathe deeply & relax more fully into the authentic nature of who, how & what you experience your perfect self to be.
Last updated - 21/06/15
