The old term for this phase was resolution. One wife referred to it as “restitution.” Prior sexual perspectives saw this phase as essentially a complete reversal of the whole process of the sexual response. Masters and Johnson saw this as “phase-specific ,” a retreat of all prior physiological changes occurring only at the end of the cycle.

The thousand couples did not substantiate this phase. Sometimes the “sex flush,” the reddening of the skin in the facial cheeks and upper chest, would go away quickly and sometimes it would linger on. Instead of a feeling of settling down, some spouses reported a “glowing,” almost a “suspension in time” preceding a readiness for another experience. If we expect “resolution,” a resolving of all of this energy buildup that was talked about so much in the first perspectives, we will probably experience it. If we expect to

“glow,” to enjoy, to share, following a physical or psychological orgasm or at any time in our interaction, then we will be free to do so.

“I never thought of sharing too much after we came. It was a whole new thing. We would lie together and glow. It was like E.T., but the light was not just a heart light. It was all over. We learned to really enjoy this period instead of lying there waiting for it to pass so we could go to sleep,” reported one of the husbands at five-year follow-up. His comments illustrate the importance of not being “phase-specific,” of turning in instead of out for our sexual reference points. Enjoying the full-body response of our partner during intimate relationships does not have to be-preparatory; it can happen at any time.

*113\97\8*

So we have a perfect body, capable of automatic self-repair, without even bothering us with any mundane details of its repair jobs. A program embedded in our DNA and the subconscious mind, developed through billions of years of existence of various lifeforms, automatically manages all repairs to optimise our comfort and performance.

However, there is one very important condition.

As we noticed from the example in the previous chapter, the repair is carried out perfectly and effortlessly, only when the extent of the damage to the body is limited

Let us try to explore the limits to the extent of such damage.

The key question is this :

How much abuse can our body withstand, before it fails to function perfectly ?

It is quite difficult to answer this question without additional information and analysis.

Let us start by examining the ways by which we could possibly abuse our mind-body system during our life. A short list of possible means of abuse is presented below. 1 poisoning.

2. Wrong diet.

3. Overeating.

4. Not enough sleep or rest

5. Accumulation of stress and anxiety

6. Bad hygiene

7. Excessive physical activity

8. Exposure to radiation

9. Exposure to noise

10. Exposure to dust

Note, that in many cases, our limited knowledge does not allow us to predict the extend of the damage and therefore we could easily underestimate the consequences of our actions.

In some cases we can be aware, that we are abusing our body, and I would like to exclude such cases from further consideration. Simply speaking, we should be prepared for facing the consequences of any such abuse, whatever their extent might be.

It is the abuse, which we are not aware of, which is actually the most important. The main reason for such importance is the fact, that without our knowledge and consent such abuse can continue over one’s lifetime. This especially applies to situations, when there is a significant delay in symptoms. As a result we could face problems, without ever realising the reason for them.

Some of the means of abuse listed above are sporadic, while others continue over an entire lifetime. Simple logic dictates that the latter should deserve our special attention, because their source is basically in our ignorance and/or misinformation.

Now, let us go back to our list of possible means of abuse and examine in which areas our ignorance (or pride that we know best) could lead to slow, but more or less continuous damage to our body without our consent.

With respect to radiation the situation is different. We have to use scientific instruments to assess the danger. Japanese had to use Geiger counters to examine their food after World War 2. I have not heard about anyone opposing the view that we should avoid radiation as much as possible, so I will not dispute this either.

The first three items on the list of means of abuse should deserve our special attention.

1.    Poisoning.

2.    Wrong diet.

3.    Overeating.

All three are not clear and objective: it is not clear what exactly is a “poison”, it is questionable just what represents a “wrong” diet and just how much food is actually too much.

As a result, all three forms of abuse may co-exist over an entire lifetime, only because we are misinformed.

Notice, that all three relate closely to our diet (food and beverage consumption).

With regard to exposure to dust and noise, excessive physical activity, bad hygiene, stress and lack of sleep, our conscious mind is notified almost immediately – we feel uncomfortable. It is therefore our responsibility to avoid continuing and repeating such experiences.

*12\96\8*