Beyond the Veil: Ginger Banks on the Mystical Intersection of Sexuality and Psychedelics
The dialogue around sexuality is rapidly evolving, yet as polarizing as ever. Which makes voices that cut through the muck with clarity and candor that much more valuable. Ginger Banks’ voice stands out not just for her own work in adult film and Only Fans and outspoken advocacy for sex workers, but also for her insightful explorations into the mystical dimensions of sex, as a student of these enthralling and ancient energies. In a discussion we had on the mystical nature of sex and sexuality, Ginger shed light on a rarely discussed aspect of human experience—where sexuality meets spirituality, particularly under the influence of psychedelics.
Banks’ journey into this profound nexus began with personal experiences that she describes as transformative. During an intimate encounter enhanced by psychedelics, she discovered a sense of oneness that transcended the physical realm. “Our brains are constantly playing this trick on us, trying to make us feel like we’re separated,” Banks explains. Psychedelics, she argues, quiet this persistent illusion, revealing a fundamental connection among all things. This revelation is not just theoretical for Banks; it’s visceral, felt deeply during sexual experiences where the barriers between the self and the other, dissolve into a shared cosmic unity. Heady? Maybe. But hardly inaccessible, and as such all the more important to discuss and work to comprehend.
This profound connection, according to Banks, is what many seek—consciously or unconsciously—when they engage in sexual activities. The potential for sex to be not just an act of physical pleasure but a gateway to spiritual enlightenment is a powerful narrative that she believes could revolutionize societal views on sexuality. “You know, we all come from this one source; it’s very empowering to think that there might be an avenue to do it,” she muses on the integration of sex with psychedelics and deep emotional connection.
The implications of these experiences are vast, challenging conventional religious and cultural paradigms that often compartmentalize sex as purely physical or, worse, sinful. Banks critiques these norms sharply, pointing to the liberating potential of recognizing sex’s mystical aspects. She shares a vision where sexual experiences, especially when combined with psychedelics, could serve as powerful therapeutic and spiritual encounters. “I think it’s a tool and an aid, but I think someone could be completely present and, you know, really focusing and meditating on loving someone and reaching one of these mystical, sexual experiences,” she ponders.
“I think your relationship with yourself can be a way that you experience satori, enlightenment, mystical experiences…”
~ Ginger Banks
One envisions the temples of ages past, where the relationship between human and mystical was more consistently embodied, temples housed transformational experiences elicited by profound personal commitment and study, and women were prominent leaders and mystics, providing guidance, vision and clarity to a congregation of acolytes.
Exploring the societal implications, Banks discusses the stigmatization of sex work. She argues that sex work is viewed through a lens of patriarchal control and moralistic judgment, which fails to recognize the agency and empowerment that can come from this profession. Banks believes that the empowerment of sex workers and the destigmatization of the industry could lead to a broader acceptance and understanding of sexuality’s complex roles in human health and happiness.
She also speaks on the therapeutic potentials of integrating sex with spiritual practices, imagining spaces where individuals can explore their sexuality in safe, sacred contexts—what she whimsically terms “sex temples.” These spaces could facilitate not just physical release but profound personal growth and healing, leveraging the altered states of consciousness that psychedelics provide to deepen the experience.
We speak of personal growth quite liberally these days, but seeing efforts really stick takes a patience and tenacity that is hard won and worth the fight. Ginger spoke of the personal growth she has navigated through her career and psychedelic experiences. She spoke about overcoming body image issues and societal judgments, finding in herself a resilience and a mission to educate others about the deeper layers of human sexuality. “I think your relationship with yourself can be a way that you experience satori, enlightenment, mystical experiences,” she states, advocating for a more integrated, self-aware approach to exploring one’s sexuality.
And that’s where so much of the war is really being waged, with the self first, and then the societal implications of that conflict are felt on so many levels. We have never collectively reconciled with being sexual beings, or at the very least, the reconciliation is immediate and not open for discussion for many of us raised in traditions that dictate the meaning and value of our incredible reproductive and pleasurable energy.
Banks isn’t one to shy away from controversial stances, it’s innate to the field and she seems to be always vigilant, quick of mind and stout of heart on this cadre of topics. She criticizes institutional and societal structures that aim to suppress sexual expression, suggesting that more open and informed discussions about sex could lead to a healthier society. “And that’s the goal, right? Like more loving and more compassion,” she posits, envisioning a future where sexual empowerment is seen as a component of overall well-being.
Banks’ reflections during our time together offered a compelling look at the intersection of sexuality and spirituality, challenging us to reconsider how we define and engage with sex. Her call for a mystical reevaluation of sexual experiences invites a broader dialogue about the potential for sex to be not just an act of intimacy but a profound, transformative journey towards understanding our deepest selves and the universe we share. But we can’t get there if we’re not actively talking about it, which is another reason why I’m so thankful for her words and effort. For as fluidly as she’s able to speak and express, the day settles back into routine and our individual luster of intimate energy cedes to the mechanics of day to day survival.
Through her words, Banks not only destigmatizes her profession, and similar professionals, but also champions a radical reimagining of sexual experience as a potent tool for personal and societal healing. When, that is, you get that feeling…