The film Bliss is a miracle in Hollywood filmmaking. It is the first film I’ve see that deals with the reality of sexuality and tantra, while not compromising artistic values. Starring Craig Sheffer, Sheryl Lee and Terence Stamp – as a revolutionary sex therapist who espouses tantric values and techniques – the film is a must see for any tantra student or practitioner. It should be noted that Stamp is a meditator, and was a sannyasin at Osho’s ashram in Oregon, so he is able to bring an air of authenticity to the role.
The sad truth is that in American cinema sex is usually measured by the foolishness of an American Pie, or the media fuss over Sharon Stone uncrossing her legs for a fraction of a second. In other words, the emotional maturity of the viewer is assumed to be that of 12 year old. This film breaks through the “lowest denominator” barrier of Hollywood, and presents a serious drama about the implosion, healing and rebirth of a troubled marriage.
Stamp as the tantra master
The husband (played by the your typical square jawed leading man, Craig Sheffer) who is a loving a faithful husband. His wife (played by Sheryl Lee) is a beautiful woman debilitated by an obsessive compulsive disorder. This disorder is eventually is revealed to be the result of a repressed childhood trauma… which makes her emotionally frigid with her husband.
Anyway, the inciting incident – where Hollywood acts true to form – is when Lee tells Sheffer that she has never had an orgasm with him. Whoa, bummer, dude!
Through a somewhat complex device plot, Sheffer and his construction crew buddies spy on a shady sex therapist who “services” wealthy and beautiful women. Of course, once Sheffer looks through the telescope… there’s his wife walking into the den of iniquity. Of course, this eventually leads to an explosive confrontation between husband and this rogue sex therapist.
However, during that confrontation, Sheffer realizes that there is more than meets the eye with this therapist. He’s not your typical hippie tantra master though. He plays concert quality violin, smokes Cubans, wears $200 shirts… all while spouting throwaway lines like, “Conscious sex that achieves bliss, is the greatest healer there is. Only ecstasy can heal the unconscious.”
After some soul searching, Sheffer decides to learn from this tantric master – requiring only (please!) that the guy stop banging his wife. This may be the most surprising plot twist around a love triangle that Hollywood has ever produced. For this courageous act alone, Bliss is remarkable and should be remembered as a courageous act by a filmmaker.
Any serious daka or dakini will appreciate the realistic tone of Stamp’s tantric instruction. I mean, I’d guess that this is the only theatrically released Hollywood feature film to use the word injaculation.
Like a brilliant NLP master, the film drops post-hypnotic suggestions about the nature of tantra throughout film – hidden in the set designs and buried within the dialogue. You see it on clippings tacked to Stamp’s wall in his gorgeous live/work loft. Phrases like – Sex does not equal orgasm. You are not your body. To be a real lover, you must commit to and participate in a perpetual dance of intimacy with your partner.
Even better are Stamp’s slow and melodious monologues about the nature of sexuality and transformation. For example, his lecture on the goal of sex: “The goal of sex is not orgasm, it’s ecstasy. There are nine movements to a women’s orgasm. Most lovers only achieve level four, the ultimate release. But it’s just the threshold. Between movements five and nine are where true healing occurs.”
Teaching advanced pranayama
Anyway, this is a great date film, because it strives to establish a more healthy context for emerging relationships. The film deals with real issues and true wisdom. It is the kind of film that no conscious human being can experience without engaging in deep thought and frank discussions about the meaning of sexuality and relationship.
There’s a great scene in the end, where Stamp completely nails poor Sheffer with yet another throwaway line. “Have you ever thought, that maybe your focus on your wife, is a distraction from your own fear of abandonment? Your own emptiness? You want to be a healer? Then heal yourself.“
These words can actually resonate deep within the ego of viewer of the film as well. We usually watch a movie as a distraction and escape from our lives. Here is a film that suggests that existential healing is not only possible, but here is your chance – right now – to move from observer to participant, from viewer to seeker, from entertainment to personal healing.
As for the sexuality depicted onscreen, it’s treated very respectfully, with a few modest lovemaking scenes, and no scene ever loitering near softcore porn territory. No full frontal here, nor explicit instruction in tantric techniques. However, the orgasm scenes are pretty dramatic and over the top – since they’re trying to depict” movements 5 through 9″ of female orgasmic response. Definitely, you should watch it first before deciding whether to let your children learn from it.
Bliss is the kind of movie that Hollywood should make all the time, but doesn’t. If you haven’t seen it yet, we recommend it highly!
Two thumbs up!
