As we continue our journey through the history of the Body Electric School this month, we are turning our focus toward a pillar of our work that is often felt but rarely spoken: Stillness.While Body Electric is frequently celebrated for its vibrant, high-energy communal rituals and erotic awakening, the “Electric” in our name has always been grounded in a deep, meditative current. This past month, we saw this beautifully embodied in the “Touching the Heart of Stillness” workshop—a silent retreat developed by beloved faculty member Steve Schwartzberg.
The Legacy of Steve Schwartzberg and the Power of Silence
Steve has long been a steward of the school’s contemplative side. “Touching the Heart of Stillness” was born from a desire to bridge the gap between traditional Buddhist mindfulness (Sati) and the embodied eroticism that defines Body Electric.
In this unique 8-day immersion, participants step into “noble silence.” It’s a rigorous practice of unplugging from the noise of the modern world to listen to the language of the body. Steve often teaches that there is no division between the “sacred” and the “erotic”—they are two sides of the same coin of presence. By quieting the mind, we finally allow the heart and the erotic body to speak their truth without judgment or distraction.
The Weekly Sangha: Meditation for the Modern Body
You don’t have to wait for a week-long retreat to find this stillness. The meditative aspect of BE is a living, breathing part of our community every single week. Our Weekly Meditations serve as a “Sangha” (a sacred community) where both beginners and long-time practitioners can find their center.
Each week offers a different flavor of presence:
- Mindfulness Meditation: Strengthening the muscle of awareness to stay present with sensations as they arise.
- Erotic Morning Practice: A specialized weekly offering for all genders (and specific sessions for Men) to activate pleasure and “turn-on” as a meditative start to the day.
- Heart Circles: A space for communal meditation through deep, active listening and authentic sharing.
New Horizons: The Sacred Sexuality Track
As we honor our history, we are also evolving. We are thrilled to highlight our NEW Sacred Sexuality track, which brings the meditative focus on “presence” into the realm of intentional spiritual growth. These workshops are designed for those who want to dive deeper into the connection between their most passionate moments and their most spiritual ones.
Coming up this year, we have two cornerstone offerings in this track:
Awakening the Sacred Body: A 4-day mindfulness and erotic presence retreat that helps you reclaim the body as a temple of wisdom.
Divine Embodiment: An intensive journey into the “Sovereign Self,” exploring how erotic energy can be a tool for personal and spiritual liberation.
A History Rooted in Breath and Stillness
Looking back at the history of Body Electric, meditation has been in our DNA since Joseph Kramer first combined Taoist philosophy with Western somatic practice in the 1980s. The “Big Draw” and the “fifteen minutes of stillness” that conclude our traditional rituals are not just rest periods—they are the moments during which the healing is integrated.
Whether it was through the early “Taoist Erotic Massage” trainings or the modern silent retreats led by Steve, Body Electric has always taught that the most profound “charge” comes when we are still enough to feel it. Join us this week in practicing that stillness. Whether you join a weekly online meditation or plan for an upcoming Sacred Sexuality retreat, we invite you to breathe, listen, and touch the heart of your own stillness.