Semen retention is basically the practice of avoiding ejaculation through any form of sexual activity. In other words, one neither masturbates nor does he have sex when practicing semen retention since the goal is to completely avoid ejaculation.
In the ancient past, semen retention was seen as a spiritual practice because mystery schools and spiritual masters saw semen as a sacred force or concentrated life-force energy with the ability to awaken spiritual powers when accumulated by avoiding sexual intercourse.
The ancients, particularly those in ancient India and Egypt, saw semen retention as a practice that allows the primordial life-force energy or creative force, which is within us, to rise and activate our energy centers, known as the chakras.
During the medieval era, Catholic Fathers practiced semen retention, claiming that it allowed them to fully devote themselves to God. They saw the practice as an imitation of the life of Christ, who they believed lived a chaste life.
Today, many people, including celebrities, such as Kevin Gates, practice semen retention, so that they experience the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits associated with this practice. Some individuals even practice it due to the idea that it causes female attraction.
There are two main types of semen retention practiced today. The first form is less strict as it only focuses on avoiding ejaculation. A person practicing this form of semen retention can still interact with women, admire their physical beauty, talk about sex, and even fantasize about sex. In this form, the retainer does not see sex as something that must be completely avoided. Instead, he sees it as a natural human impulse that has to be controlled if one wants to improve various aspects of their lives. The person sees sex as an important aspect of physical reality that allows the continuation of the human species. Basically, he understands the importance of accumulating sexual energy, but he still acknowledges the powerful role that sex plays in human existence.
The second type of semen retention is highly strict. Besides avoiding ejaculation, this form of semen retention involves avoiding flirting with women, avoiding sexual conversations, training oneself to see women as divine beings, and most importantly, avoiding sexual thoughts and imagery. Here, retainers see sexual intercourse, masturbation, and any other sexual activity as something evil. They see the body and all its desires, particularly sexual desire, as factors that make it difficult for them to experience higher spiritual realities, attain mystical states of deep inner peace, gain higher knowledge, and live a righteous life. These retainers see procreation as an evil activity because it ensures that human beings are stuck in the prison of earthly life, which, according to them, is illusory and characterized by suffering.
This second form of semen retention was mainly practiced by ancient Indian Buddhist monks and early Christians who wanted to experience their true nature and divine power while still on earth. On the other hand, the first form of semen retention was mainly embraced by ancient wrestlers and warriors, such as the Zulu warriors, who saw it as a tool for physical strength that made them better fighters. Today, many men prefer practicing the first type of semen retention since their primary focus is the fulfillment of worldly desires.
Despite these differences, both types of semen retention are basically similar. They both involve sacrificing sexual pleasure so that individuals can accumulate life-force energy and use it to achieve something they consider greater than temporary gratification. Whether the goal is worldly or spiritual, both types of semen retention are founded on the realization that constant ejaculation ensures a loss of vital energy that can be used for other purposes. They are all founded on the fact that life-force or sexual energy is a powerful force that can be redirected toward higher purposes.