Celibacy and the Myth of the Succubus

Male incels (involuntary celibates) have become synonymous with misogyny. They are, we’re told, bitter and angry that no one wants them. But, from what I’ve observed, the problem of misogyny is way more pronounced in the vol-cel community; that is, among voluntary celibates — and the reason why may surprise you.

Many male vol-cels engage in the age-old practice of semen retention — which does not necessarily involve no sex, but rather; no ejaculation. This is based on the belief that one’s ‘life energy’ — or ‘vital life force’ — is particularly concentrated in the semen. According to ancient teachings, like that found in the Hindu Ayurvedic texts, losing ejaculatory fluids ‘results in disease, premature aging, fatigue and deterioration in general (Peterson). In the 12th century Sanskrit text, the Yogaśāstra, it says that the ‘falling of semen brings death; preservation of semen gives life. Semen is the real vitality in man. It is the hidden treasure for man. It imparts Brahma Tejas (the rays of the Lord) to the face and strength to the intellect’.

According to Taoist Master Mantak Chia, it is an illusion that you can ‘stimulate your glands indefinitely without paying a price’:

Sperm is the storehouse of male sexual energy. A single ejaculation has 200 to 500 million sperm cells, each a potential human being. There are enough…