Page 201 - Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring

a d m i ni s t er ing s acr e d n u r s in g ac t s
conduct ourselves during the process” of making a vow to another,
whether in marriage or otherwise.
This understanding of the dynamics of this need does not mean
sexual experiences, exploration, and experimentation do not and will
not occur separate from a meaningful relationship. It is part of learn-
ing about oneself and accepting the feelings one has at a very basic bio-
logical level. The challenge throughout life is to honor and celebrate
one’s sexuality and erotic feelings within the context of a safe, loving,
honoring, and intimate relationship.
Perhaps the biggest challenge with respect to our sexuality and
sexual needs is learning how to honor self and all of one’s being while
learning to accept vulnerability, allowing oneself to be vulnerable
with a trusted other, and cultivating a loving, respectful relationship
and union with a meaningful other.
However, a loving, safe, intimate context and experience may be dif-
ficult to find and sustain without personal growth and self-relationship
work. The ability to establish a loving, trusting, intimate sexual rela-
tionship is associated with early trusting relationships with parents. A
mature sexual relationship is one that allows for risk taking in the areas
of vulnerability and intimacy and Love itself.
Indeed, experiencing one’s sexuality and engaging in a mature sex-
ual relationship with another includes the ability to risk being hurt
and rejected—including not being loved or wanted in a sexual rela-
tionship—without being destroyed emotionally or psychically. It also
includes being able to give and receive, not engaging passively while
expecting another to be responsible for your needs and fulfillment.
Learning to recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate our sexuality
and sexual needs is part of the creativity of our life force and life itself.
It is part of learning to live within the body we have; to accept it, love
it, and appreciate it, with all its human frailties and conditions that
make us human. This life force is related to self-expression, creativity,
and the birthing of ideas and projects, helping connect us with honor-
ing and accepting our own bodies and physical demands as well as our
erotic and sensual needs.
Sexual expression is tied to pleasure and allows us to enjoy the
full experience of human contact and release. It can be both liberating

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