The Origins of Seminal Retention: Ancient Taoist Sexual Practices Explained
By Justin Patrick Pierce
Originally published July 24, 2020 · Updated February 2026
Where does the esoteric practice of seminal retention come from?
8,000 Years of Sexual Kung Fu
Its origins can be traced back as far as 8,000 years ago in ancient China, says Taoist Master Mantak Chia (Taoist Secrets of Love, 1984). Its origins pre-date Taoism by a long shot (c. 500 BCE). But the Taoist Masters were the ones who sought to preserve the teachings and shepherd the sacred sexual practice of Sexual Kung Fu into the 21st century. The teachings still exist today, and make up a large part of what is often mistakenly labelled as "tantra" in the West.
Chao Pi Ch'en and the Science of Sexual Energy
Like many of his Taoist associates, Taoist master Chao Pi Ch'en (1860–1942) believed that life-force could be stored in the sex organs. The preservation of semen would lead a man to inner peace and physical well-being, while the loss of semen would throw his body into a world of chaos and exhaustion. He refers to sexual energy being stored in measurements called chu:
"A practiser should regard his body as a country and the generative force as its population. Unstirred generative force ensures security for the population, the fullness of spirit and (vital) breath increases the prosperity of the country. ... If the generative force is gathered for a hundred (successive) days, sixty-four chu [measures] of vitality are gained and a unit of positive principle is produced; this is like 'adding fuel' to feed and prolong life. With the same determination, if the generative force is gathered for another hundred days an additional sixty-four chu [measures] of vitality are gained while the positive principle is increased to two units; the body now becomes very strong and all ailments vanish. If the gathering of generative force continues for another hundred days an additional sixty-four chu [measures] of vitality are gained with the positive increased to three units; all cavities in the body are cleared for rejuvenation, and the practiser's steps are light and quick with clear and good hearing." — The Secret Cultivation of Essential Nature and Eternal Life by Chao Pi Ch'en (English translation: Taoist Yoga: Alchemy & Immortality, translated by Charles Luk, 1970)
Master Chao explained that vitality in the form of sexual energy, or ching (jing) — continues to increase naturally until the age of 16. After that, if the sexual energy is not properly conserved and transformed, a man loses sixty-four chu every 8 years of his life. The healthy balanced body is thought to have 384 chu.
By Chao's measurements, I'm pretty sure by the age of 24, I was bankrupt.
What Western Science Says About Seminal Retention
Western science hasn't gotten very far in proving any of the Taoist theories when it comes to sexual energy.
Some of the closest concrete studies I've found were conducted on nematodes — manipulating the male specimens such that they would no longer produce sperm. The results were definitive and quite surprising. The study, published in Nature in 1992 by researcher Wayne A. Van Voorhies, found that a mutation reducing sperm production increased mean lifespan by roughly 65 percent. As The New York Times reported at the time:
"When he experimentally manipulated males so that they lost their capacity to make sperm while retaining their taste for intercourse, the altered nematodes lived at least 50 percent longer than the normal, fertile males. The results suggest that creating sperm is far more difficult than scientists had imagined, demanding a diversion of resources that might otherwise go into assuring a male's long-term health."
The verdict is still out whether or not seminal retention can prolong a male human being's life. Obviously, if celibacy was all that was required, we probably would've noticed by now. But teachers like Mantak Chia say retention isn't enough. What is required is your ability to transform the conserved sexual energy into something far more precious.
From Jing to Shen: Sexual Energy as a Path to Spiritual Awakening
I think after 8,000 years it's safe to say that the ancient Chinese masters weren't entirely accurate when they said that the transformation of sexual energy (jing) into spirit (shen) would lead to immortality. But today, what is far more reasonable an idea, and absolutely a firm belief amongst Taoist practitioners today — is that your sexual energy can be transformed to assist in the spiritual awakening process. And that becoming Immortal has nothing to do with the physical body, per se, but rather everything to do with the spiritual aptitude one may attain in their lifetime.
Whether enlightenment is your goal, or peak performance is your thing, or just feeling a little better is something you'd be interested in, do not underestimate this practice. I haven't become enlightened, but I have experienced a profound life transformation since those early years of bankruptcy.
Where to Go from Here
This article is an introduction to the history of seminal retention. If you want to understand how sexual energy fits into a complete spiritual practice — including the dynamics of polarity, presence, and devotion between you and your partner — that's what Londin and I wrote Playing With Fire: The Spiritual Path of Intimate Relationship for. In it, we teach the Alpha and Omega Polarity Framework and the embodied practices that transform sexual desire from something you struggle with into the most powerful force in your relationship.
If you're serious about learning how seminal retention can be practically applied right now, I wrote an introductory tutorial on bypassing ejaculation and prolonging lovemaking.
And if you want to practice with us — Londin and I lead monthly live calls for men, women, and couples through our Yoga of Intimacy Patreon.
Further reading:
In Worm, at Least, Making Sperm Is Found to Shorten a Male's Life — The New York Times, December 3, 1992
Van Voorhies, W. "Production of sperm reduces nematode lifespan." Nature 360, 456–458 (1992)
Taoist Yoga: Alchemy & Immortality (translated by Charles Luk, 1970). The English translation of Chao Pi Ch'en's The Secret Cultivation of Essential Nature and Eternal Life
Taoist Secrets of Love: Cultivating Male Sexual Energy by Mantak Chia (1984)
FAQs: Seminal Retention
Q: Where does the practice of seminal retention come from?
A: Seminal retention originates in ancient China, where Taoist masters developed the practice of Sexual Kung Fu . conserving and transforming sexual energy (jing) rather than expelling it through ejaculation. Taoist Master Mantak Chia traces the origins as far back as 8,000 years. The practice pre-dates formal Taoism (c. 500 BCE) and was preserved by Taoist lineage holders into the modern era.
Q: Is seminal retention the same as celibacy?
A: No. Seminal retention does not mean abstaining from sex. It is the practice of separating orgasm from ejaculation . experiencing sexual pleasure and even multiple orgasms without ejaculating. Taoist teachers emphasize that retention alone is not sufficient; the conserved sexual energy must be consciously circulated and transformed through practices like the Microcosmic Orbit.
Q: Is there any scientific evidence for seminal retention?
A: Research is limited. The most cited study is a 1992 Nature paper by Wayne A. Van Voorhies, which found that nematodes genetically modified to reduce sperm production lived roughly 65% longer than fertile males. While this doesn't directly prove benefits for humans, it suggests that sperm production requires significant biological resources. No controlled human studies have confirmed the longevity claims of Taoist seminal retention practices.
Q: How does seminal retention relate to sacred sexuality and the Yoga of Intimacy?
A: In the Yoga of Intimacy teachings by Justin Patrick Pierce and Londin Angel Winters, sexual energy is one dimension of a broader spiritual practice. Their book Playing With Fire teaches the Alpha and Omega Polarity Framework. A complete path that includes awareness, sensitivity, equanimity, polarity, presence, and devotion. Seminal retention is one practice within this larger framework, not the whole of it.