Why Sensuality Is One Of Our Most Sacred Energies

Pastor Lyvonne Briggs believes sensuality is the ultimate practice of mindfulness. 

Briggs believes sensuality is being radically present with mind, body, and spirit in ways that allow us to center our needs, desires, and “authentic yes.” 

Anti-Black faith communities historically used religion to shame us from seeing our bodies as sensual. This approach was harmful, especially for Black women who were taught that being “holy” meant rejecting their sexual and sensual agency.  

In her book “Sensual Faith,” Briggs explores finding home in our bodies while still being loved by Spirit. 

Briggs’ first sensual memories were in church. The smoky altar candles and scent of frankincense and myrrh tingled her senses. But as she continued studying religion, she was taught to fight everything about her body.

Briggs researched her pre-colonial ancestors’ relationships with their bodies and sensuality. Reveling in the beauty of her ancestors’ baring their breasts to the sun and shaking their bodies in worship of Spirit, was freeing. 

She now knew her faith journey began with her ancestors, long before she’d ever stepped foot in church. 

Sensuality is a sacred energy. Our sensual agency is necessary for us to feel at home in our bodies. 

When we are at home in our bodies, we can honor our ancestral ways of worship, exercise our pleasure bodies, and still know God.