I Tried Meditating While Using a Vibrator (Yes, You Read That Correctly)

I was introduced to meditation for the first time in 2015. I was in the midst of a spiritual awakening that year, and while I had of course seen the practice dramatized and parodied in entertainment, I hadn't learned much about how to actually meditate and its benefits. My first time meditating, I struggled to keep my eyes closed and mind quiet for a few minutes at a time. Over time, however, it became the best part of my days, and I would bask in the euphoric calmness and energy it would give me. I couldn't have imagined a much better feeling . . . until I discovered meditating with a vibrator.

Yes, you read that correctly. I recently stumbled upon perhaps one of the most genius ideas known to anyone with a vulva: meditating with a sex toy. I was introduced to a new offering from Satisfyer (the sex tech brand behind the cult-favorite Satisfyer Pro vibrator) called High Touch Meditations. The brand merged sexual pleasure with the benefits of meditation, and boy, does it hit the spot — maybe even that spot.

According to certified sexologist and Satisfyer director of education Megwyn White, sexual meditation is a great way to blend the benefits of masturbation and meditation. Connecting the mind to the body while it experiences pleasure can amplify the physical and mental benefits of each practice. "By combining mindfulness practices with the use of a sexual wellness device like Satisfyer, users can cultivate a heightened sense of awareness and connection to their own sensations, ultimately enhancing their overall sexual well-being," White says.

Below, read my review of Satisfyer's new meditation feature. And if you don't happen to own a Satisfyer device, don't worry: you can still try their meditations without one.

This form of meditation combines the function of Satisfyer's Bluetooth-enabled sex toys with the soothing comfort of a guided audio meditation. When you log into the Satisfyer Connect app, you can connect one of their pleasure devices to your phone and fire up a recorded meditation. I chose the Air Pulse Meditation to pair with my Satisfyer Pro, and to be honest, I was quite nervous to press play.

I'm personally not a huge porn viewer or audio erotica listener, so I tend to cringe at the thought of listening to a stranger's voice purring into my headphones and telling me where to put what. That said, I was relieved when I started the meditation and the feminine voice began speaking like the narrators of any other guided meditation I've listened to. The meditation began without engaging my vibrator, and instead the first two or so minutes directed me to focus on slow, deep breaths. The narrator's voice was sensual yet soothing, and they spoke positive affirmations throughout the 10-minute meditation.

After a few minutes, the voice instructed me to make contact with my clitoris. It didn't have me dive right in and make things uncomfortable like I had feared, but instead seamlessly included this action into the practice. Once I had a brief moment of exploration, it was time to grab my Satisfyer Pro. Thanks to the Bluetooth connection, the app automatically began controlling the functions of my vibrator, and the narrator continued to provide direction on how to breathe and what to focus on as the air pulses and vibrations shifted and grew.

Over the course of the 10-minute recording, not only did I experience an orgasm, but I also felt a sense of peace and empowerment that I think is pretty unique to this particular practice. The physical perks of experiencing pleasure combined with the mental clarity and calm of a meditation made me feel an incredible sense of contentment and balance that started my day off on a great note.

As someone who writes about sex and relationships for a living, I have been pretty sex-positive for most of my adult years, but trying this kind of erotic meditation was a game changer. I grew up in the Christian Church and experienced all the shame and self-loathing that often comes with navigating puberty and purity culture simultaneously, so there's always lingering feelings of shame in the back of my mind. Experiencing a meditation that spoke kind and uplifting affirmations (like "you are worthy of all good things") while I was experiencing sexual stimulation almost felt healing to that part of my brain. It helped assure me that I deserve to feel good.

While the numerous benefits of traditional meditation are well-known — like lower blood pressure and lower levels of stress or anxiety — White notes that adding sexual pleasure to the practice provides an additional layer of positive impact. "Self-pleasure offers a reset for our mind and body," she says.

"By plugging into pleasure through self-touch, we can give our nervous system a much needed break while providing tangible sensual nourishment that can refresh the body and mind. Self-pleasure is an essential facet of our sexuality, but too often people experience shame or disconnect from their bodies and therefore neglect this powerful aspect of self-care."

Although this particular brand offers all the bells and whistles, anyone can try meditative self-pleasure. Whether you involve a toy or opt for a more manual approach, high-touch meditation can actually look as simple as tapping into self-pleasure while listening to a positive meditation on YouTube. Quieting your mind, narrowing in on your breath, and allowing yourself to release tension in favor of pleasure is bound to make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Now that I've tried meditating while masturbating, my spiritual practice will probably never be the same.

The Satisfyer Pro 2 Generation 3 ($70) with Satisfyer Connect app capability is available on the brand's website and Amazon.

Satisfyer Pro 2 Generation 3

From

$70

$70 at Amazon

★★★★★

Lexi Inks is a lifestyle journalist based in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to her contributions at POPSUGAR, she is a staff writer on Bustle's Sex & Relationships vertical and a lifestyle news writer for The List.