4,412: The number of times ISIS respondents said spiritual, emotional, and relational aspects of sexual experience were important to them
23: The number of times ISIS respondents said genital stimulation and intercourse were important to them
86% say a spiritual element is necessary for sexual satisfaction
78% say, "Sex is much more than intercourse; it involves all of me—body, mind, heart, and soul."
68% have experienced sexual ecstasy
81% say honesty and sharing deep feelings help sex feel spiritual
63% say letting go of control helps sex feel spiritual
32% say sexual desire has been a source of guilt
Gina Ogden, a sex therapist, recently completed "Integrating Sexuality and Spirituality (ISIS)," a nationwide survey of more than 4,000 Americans' attitudes toward the connection between sex and the spirit. Among the many findings, which are published in her new book, "The Heart and Soul of Sex: Making the ISIS Connection," are these statistics: