Celibacy depends on your state of mind. If you fight your own lustful thoughts, they will become dreams, those dreams will become sort of a “reality” because you will not be celibate during a dream while still fighting your thoughts during conscious time.
Women and Men have “emissions.” The point is to keep these powerful liquids in yourself so your energy level remains high and your ability to tap into spirituality will be enhanced tremendously.
Unless there is some sort of fear to sex or some mental indisposition, the real meaning of practicing celibacy is to attain a higher spiritual connection with the “power house” with God.
Since celibacy starts with a clean mind, you need to take care of your diet. Your diet has an effect on your metabolism which will affect the feelings and thoughts going in your mind.
A vegetarian diet is necessary. However avoid garlic and onions and any strong spices since these foods have an aphrodisiac effect. In Egypt, at the time the pyramids were built, the slaves were fed with these aphrodisiacs as well as radishes. Since to build the pyramids was hard labor, many slaves lost their lives during the job, hence the need to keep the slave population increasing.
Unfortunately nowadays almost any food item that you buy at the store has garlic and/or onions in it. No wonder it is so difficult for people to follow this path. As you become more acquainted with people’s vibration fields, you will notice that food prepared from others will keep their thoughts vibrations as well, thus, to be safe it is recommended to prepare your own meals.
Of course, smoking, drinking and any kind of toxic substance should be definitely avoided.
You need to exercise outdoors and be in touch with nature as much as possible. Daily exercises combined with celibacy will keep you healthy and youthful looking. If you are in great shape the better off you are since it becomes a shield for your visual senses. Not everyone will fit your standards of physical beauty, thus physical attractions will be diminished specially at the beginning of your change. Later on, even though you will be able to appreciate physical beauty, you will not be excited about it. You will understand that there is more in beauty than someone’s body and face.
As far as exercises, I would like to recommend Hatha Yoga and Pranayama, then swimming or running. To keep your upper body fit, gymnastics, pull-ups, push ups, deeps, etc. Do these exercises outside, if possible. Personally I feel that hatha yoga is a good equalizer of male/female energies. (ying-yang) Males and Females need to learn to balance their polar energies by taking up some activity which is usually left for the opposite gender or which is needed to gain balance. If my strength is good but I am lacking flexibility, I will concentrate on flexibility exercises. Balancing the “ying-yang” energies is the best way to be fulfilled with yourself. In a subtle way, people look for a complement in the opposite gender due to this lack of balancing energies. Once you master this, you will be able to enjoy someone else’s company without the need to fulfill yourself.
Try sleeping from 4 to 6 hours every night. Wake up as early as possible. This practice will help you to deal with dreaming at night. You should go to sleep and fall sleep right away. You will have more time in your hands for other things. You will notice that sleeping 6 hours per night will become adequate for your life style.
Take up meditation. Here is where the changes in your personality will start. Meditate regularly. Those who have a strong believe in God will have a greater advantage here. Ultimately in my experience, a spiritual connection from soul to soul is the greatest healing agent against lustful feelings. Your feelings are connected deeply with your thoughts. If your thoughts are of pure good wishes for others, your feelings will be tinted with that color, then impure thoughts will not affect your mind and thus the sexual drive will diminish its force.
Read spiritual materials more often or “self-help” books which have teachings that you can use as a part of your personality, your mind needs to be busy with the right kind of things. Of course, “pollutants” which are used by the media (tv, newspapers, magazines, pictures, movies, etc.) need to be recognized as a source of pollution for the mind. The mind needs to be clean from the “infection” of these to be successful in practicing a celibate life style.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Meditating on Fitness
In the “new age” circles many “laws” have appeared: Attraction, Least Effort, Projection, etc. “Quantum physics “and laws is science way to make spirituality into something scientific.
The “law of polarity” will be discussed here. In layman terms, if there is hot, there must be cold. If there is good, there must be bad and so forth. Spiritual exercises (meditation, praying) and physical exercises are perceived as such opposites.
The problem of this opposition resides in the goal. For instance, in a competitive society “winning” is the aim. When you are in “good shape” you are ready to compete and win. The enjoyment of movement through physical exercises is left for “old people “and “losers.” You use exercise to win. That is the goal.
The same idea holds true with spirituality. When not in balance, it becomes a dogmatic belief in self denial and fear of the body to pursue “higher goals.”
In my last trip to India, I was able to experience how exercise fits nicely into the spiritual path. Take for instance, the popular “yoga” or “hatha yoga.” Those are physical practices to keep the body healthy and balanced. Originally it was meant for “yogis” or spiritual seekers to keep themselves healthy, so their bodies would not become a problem in their spiritual endeavors.
Hatha Yoga, pranayama (breathing techniques,) chanting and cleansing techniques such as “neti” are meant to strengthen the body in order to pursue “Rajayog” or spiritual illumination. There is a set of moral codes to follow along with the exercises known as” Yamas and Niyamas.” In the West, those rules have been conveniently changed by so called yogi practitioners. Celibacy or “brahmacharya” is a good example. It has been turned around to a more digestible “moderation.” Thus, Hatha yoga in the west has become the latest exercise fad, but its true spiritual objective has been forgotten.
Whereas in the West it is unheard of living without sex, in the East is quite common especially if the goal is a spiritual life. According to the Vedic traditions, the end result of ‘brahmacharya’ practiced to perfection is unbounded vitality. Energy is needed to be engaged in physical exercises at any age.
In my experience, if someone wants to pursue a higher spiritual path, celibacy is necessary to succeed. There are no shortcuts. The reason is simple. The mind needs to be free from any source of dependency. Your mind needs to be free from the desire of sex altogether. There are other less obvious "desires" as well, but sex is the first "obstacle" in a legitimate spiritual path. I mean by legitimate the study and understanding of the self as an imperishable spiritual entity which experiences a bodily, physical experience. Physical experiences are ephemeral, the true spiritual being is eternal.Thus, the mantle of mirages, illusions of the physical world needs to be understood and realized. This understanding will free a person from physical desires.
Running and swimming are popular sports which produce a ‘high.’ In that state of euphoria which varies between individuals, you are tapping into a different state of consciousness. According to science it is about releasing endorphins into the blood system; interestingly not everyone experiences a runner’s high. Meditation allows you to experience that” high” without the sweat. Some people meditate while running or swimming. It is a joyful experience with no side effects.
The body is not there consciously. It is sort of a state where your body is not disturbing you, you are at peace and balance with it, you are in the “zone “and thus; everything flows.
Meditation allows you to experience that high but it connects you to a higher source which will recharge you. Many times we associate meditation with forcing the mind to be still and to concentrate on an object or to repeat words. That is not meditating. You are just learning to concentrate. You meditate using your feelings and your thoughts to feed those feelings. When you feel bliss, there is no need to force the mind to stay focused; it naturally wants to be there while the experience lasts.
Fitness and Spirituality are two sides of the same coin. The minute we only focus at one side, we miss the other. When we understand the polarity of a coin, we find balance within.
The “law of polarity” will be discussed here. In layman terms, if there is hot, there must be cold. If there is good, there must be bad and so forth. Spiritual exercises (meditation, praying) and physical exercises are perceived as such opposites.
The problem of this opposition resides in the goal. For instance, in a competitive society “winning” is the aim. When you are in “good shape” you are ready to compete and win. The enjoyment of movement through physical exercises is left for “old people “and “losers.” You use exercise to win. That is the goal.
The same idea holds true with spirituality. When not in balance, it becomes a dogmatic belief in self denial and fear of the body to pursue “higher goals.”
In my last trip to India, I was able to experience how exercise fits nicely into the spiritual path. Take for instance, the popular “yoga” or “hatha yoga.” Those are physical practices to keep the body healthy and balanced. Originally it was meant for “yogis” or spiritual seekers to keep themselves healthy, so their bodies would not become a problem in their spiritual endeavors.
Hatha Yoga, pranayama (breathing techniques,) chanting and cleansing techniques such as “neti” are meant to strengthen the body in order to pursue “Rajayog” or spiritual illumination. There is a set of moral codes to follow along with the exercises known as” Yamas and Niyamas.” In the West, those rules have been conveniently changed by so called yogi practitioners. Celibacy or “brahmacharya” is a good example. It has been turned around to a more digestible “moderation.” Thus, Hatha yoga in the west has become the latest exercise fad, but its true spiritual objective has been forgotten.
Whereas in the West it is unheard of living without sex, in the East is quite common especially if the goal is a spiritual life. According to the Vedic traditions, the end result of ‘brahmacharya’ practiced to perfection is unbounded vitality. Energy is needed to be engaged in physical exercises at any age.
In my experience, if someone wants to pursue a higher spiritual path, celibacy is necessary to succeed. There are no shortcuts. The reason is simple. The mind needs to be free from any source of dependency. Your mind needs to be free from the desire of sex altogether. There are other less obvious "desires" as well, but sex is the first "obstacle" in a legitimate spiritual path. I mean by legitimate the study and understanding of the self as an imperishable spiritual entity which experiences a bodily, physical experience. Physical experiences are ephemeral, the true spiritual being is eternal.Thus, the mantle of mirages, illusions of the physical world needs to be understood and realized. This understanding will free a person from physical desires.
Running and swimming are popular sports which produce a ‘high.’ In that state of euphoria which varies between individuals, you are tapping into a different state of consciousness. According to science it is about releasing endorphins into the blood system; interestingly not everyone experiences a runner’s high. Meditation allows you to experience that” high” without the sweat. Some people meditate while running or swimming. It is a joyful experience with no side effects.
The body is not there consciously. It is sort of a state where your body is not disturbing you, you are at peace and balance with it, you are in the “zone “and thus; everything flows.
Meditation allows you to experience that high but it connects you to a higher source which will recharge you. Many times we associate meditation with forcing the mind to be still and to concentrate on an object or to repeat words. That is not meditating. You are just learning to concentrate. You meditate using your feelings and your thoughts to feed those feelings. When you feel bliss, there is no need to force the mind to stay focused; it naturally wants to be there while the experience lasts.
Fitness and Spirituality are two sides of the same coin. The minute we only focus at one side, we miss the other. When we understand the polarity of a coin, we find balance within.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Celibacy and its connection with fitness
Sometimes I encounter some websites which are marketed by so called “sex experts” which believe that sex is the ultimate panacea. It is the “Tylenol” for everything. These individuals usually do not offer a living proof of their statements neither a complete reference of the studies/research which they use to give scientific support to their claims. The truth is: Show me one research which demonstrates that having regular sex will improve your fitness, and I will show you cases where even athletes have abstained from sex while being in top condition. The book by Manta Chia “ Taoists secrets of love: cultivating male sexual energy” mentions the name of some of them. Mohamed Ali, Guillermo Vilas and others. You can read this for further info.Please note the sheer ignorance of sex experts when they deal with athletes. It is not about “calories” spent. There is a tremendous energy in semen which is wasted when ejeculated. That energy is able to create life. When that energy is used in spiritual or creative endeavors, the sky will be the limit.
I have been an athlete myself for 25 years, competing at the national and college level. I can tell you that there is a huge difference as far as focus, mental relaxation, concentration and stamina as well as recuperation after a race when you have been practicing abstinence for quite sometime. Your body becomes stronger and able to maintain top physical fitness for a longer time.
Take a look at the body of those who are in their mid 30s to 40’s. If they have been lured by sex, usually they will gain weight, develop the so called “love handles,” their chins and faces will become puffier and their eyes lose their brightness. Their face and body features will decline. Someone who has been celibate for quite some time will look younger than his age and his body will be able to maintain his physical prowess for a long time.
By keeping your sexual energy intact definitely, your health and fitness level will improve as long as you practice a regular exercise routine.
I have been an athlete myself for 25 years, competing at the national and college level. I can tell you that there is a huge difference as far as focus, mental relaxation, concentration and stamina as well as recuperation after a race when you have been practicing abstinence for quite sometime. Your body becomes stronger and able to maintain top physical fitness for a longer time.
Take a look at the body of those who are in their mid 30s to 40’s. If they have been lured by sex, usually they will gain weight, develop the so called “love handles,” their chins and faces will become puffier and their eyes lose their brightness. Their face and body features will decline. Someone who has been celibate for quite some time will look younger than his age and his body will be able to maintain his physical prowess for a long time.
By keeping your sexual energy intact definitely, your health and fitness level will improve as long as you practice a regular exercise routine.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Informative links
I recommend the following informative links about celibacy. It is very important to be informed. We already have the media making tremendous profits by exploiting human weaknesses such as lust and anger, in the name of "love,""passion," and "normal behavior."
http://www.dlshq.org/teachings/brahmacharya.htm
It is a link to a teaching of Swami Sivananda. As far as I am concerned, the information is pretty good and accurate in my experience. However, I disagree in his teachings about “how to get established in celibacy.” The idea is to get to the state of celibacy in a natural way. You cannot achieve something naturally by rejecting the opposite gender. This is change by force. In my experience, it is possible to achieve this by changing our vision and our feelings towards the opposite sex. It is only through interaction how you get to know where you stand. Of course, there are other practices that should go along with our vision and feelings, namely a wholesome vegetarian diet avoiding garlic and onions due to their aphrodisiac properties and a sincere love to God which could be expressed trough prayer or regular meditation.
http://www.ambrosian.org/index.html
This site shares good information as well. However, their philosophy as to why is important to remain celibate is lacking. The benefits of a celibate life style are explained but the knowledge to support celibacy is not there. It is not a question of being a rebel. It is a question to realize that procreation at this time and age is foolish. The earth has reached a level of population where survival becomes difficult for many. Natural resources are lacking and they will lack even more as years go by. Man has an affinity for power and money. That greed will not allow society to improve their condition. The few who control the immense majority are the ones with full and deep pockets. We are too many on this Earth at this time.
The following link in that site is especially good: http://www.pnas.org/content/98/14/7904.full?ijkey=051e23d20f70b9e31344e17f76d3bd47573685ab
http://www.celibacy.info/
Very good information. Quite explicit. However it would have been nice to read some information from the author of the site as well. Lots of links from other people, but his own experience in the topic, in my view; is needed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celibate
This is an entertaining/ informative link which gives the names of famous people who practice celibacy.
http://www.dlshq.org/teachings/brahmacharya.htm
It is a link to a teaching of Swami Sivananda. As far as I am concerned, the information is pretty good and accurate in my experience. However, I disagree in his teachings about “how to get established in celibacy.” The idea is to get to the state of celibacy in a natural way. You cannot achieve something naturally by rejecting the opposite gender. This is change by force. In my experience, it is possible to achieve this by changing our vision and our feelings towards the opposite sex. It is only through interaction how you get to know where you stand. Of course, there are other practices that should go along with our vision and feelings, namely a wholesome vegetarian diet avoiding garlic and onions due to their aphrodisiac properties and a sincere love to God which could be expressed trough prayer or regular meditation.
http://www.ambrosian.org/index.html
This site shares good information as well. However, their philosophy as to why is important to remain celibate is lacking. The benefits of a celibate life style are explained but the knowledge to support celibacy is not there. It is not a question of being a rebel. It is a question to realize that procreation at this time and age is foolish. The earth has reached a level of population where survival becomes difficult for many. Natural resources are lacking and they will lack even more as years go by. Man has an affinity for power and money. That greed will not allow society to improve their condition. The few who control the immense majority are the ones with full and deep pockets. We are too many on this Earth at this time.
The following link in that site is especially good: http://www.pnas.org/content/98/14/7904.full?ijkey=051e23d20f70b9e31344e17f76d3bd47573685ab
http://www.celibacy.info/
Very good information. Quite explicit. However it would have been nice to read some information from the author of the site as well. Lots of links from other people, but his own experience in the topic, in my view; is needed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celibate
This is an entertaining/ informative link which gives the names of famous people who practice celibacy.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Power of Celibacy: An experience beyond the senses
Celibacy is a state of mind which takes us back to the experience of being a child again. The practice of celibacy has countless benefits. Physically, the amount of strength, stamina and muscle quality will increase. That vitality is a characteristic of a child. Even when a child shouts all day, his throat does not grow hoarse or dry. Emotionally, celibacy will bring stability. The playful and innocent approach of a child will be noticed in your interactions. Intellectually, your mind will be sharper and acute. You will be able to understand subtleties. Your intellect will be deep and broad.
Spiritually, the power of celibacy is a must, in my experience. Many religions praise celibacy as a means to reach God or the Divine. Celibacy is necessary to experience a very distinct type of connection which brings about deep transformation of the self.
How do I start? Physically, it is very helpful if you could train yourself like an athlete to become acquainted with your own body. Practice one exercise which allows you to be in contact with nature. A vegetarian diet avoiding garlic, onions and any non- natural and processed product is most useful. A careless diet will be an obstacle for you to reach the goal. Less hours and a better quality of sleep is essential. There is a link between celibacy and sleep time specially when dealing with the subtle level of consciousness. Learn to balance the dual energies within yourself, called "ying-yang" popularly. Balance them. Learn to emit feelings of "Pure wishes and feelings for all" that emerge from the heart "chakra" or above. How is likely to feel? I will share my experience. It was easy to avoid the temptation, but then the real work started. It was my dreams that seemed to attack me with great force. I felt defeated. It is common, and most people will stop at this stage calling this pursue a futility, a "senseless fight against nature." Do not give up. You may lose a battle, but you will win the war. If you are determined victory is guaranteed. Paraphrasing Carl Jung, if you fight"the urge and temptation" more of it will be on the way. Success is about understanding. Experiment! Observe yourself and how you feel around "trigger points." This "urge" or "libido" is closely related with lust as many religions point out. I have found that anger is intimately related with lust as siblings are blood related. Conquer one of them, the other will wither away. Understand what triggers those vices in you and remain in a non-reactive frame of mind, observing the "show" within you. Meditation is helpful for this, since it allows you to be aware of your inner world.
Pursuing the path of Celibacy, after being part of the "other side" is a real challenge. It defeats any other feat that you can think of. The reward of it, however; is immense.
Through a connection with the source, with God; things become easier. In this connection you will never feel that you are giving something up, but celibacy will become a natural state. There is real pleasure experienced as your level of "purity" increases. It is called "supersensous joy." In this experience you are obtaining something much enjoyable. The experience of fulfillment, of bliss and happiness, which will manifest in feelings as energy through your heart or through your head and will last as long as you can hold it. Finally, something where too much of it, is simply very good for you!
May you be a conqueror of yourself and enjoy the fountain of youth by going back to your child like nature. Blessings from the heart!
Feel free to email me, if you have a question.
Spiritually, the power of celibacy is a must, in my experience. Many religions praise celibacy as a means to reach God or the Divine. Celibacy is necessary to experience a very distinct type of connection which brings about deep transformation of the self.
How do I start? Physically, it is very helpful if you could train yourself like an athlete to become acquainted with your own body. Practice one exercise which allows you to be in contact with nature. A vegetarian diet avoiding garlic, onions and any non- natural and processed product is most useful. A careless diet will be an obstacle for you to reach the goal. Less hours and a better quality of sleep is essential. There is a link between celibacy and sleep time specially when dealing with the subtle level of consciousness. Learn to balance the dual energies within yourself, called "ying-yang" popularly. Balance them. Learn to emit feelings of "Pure wishes and feelings for all" that emerge from the heart "chakra" or above. How is likely to feel? I will share my experience. It was easy to avoid the temptation, but then the real work started. It was my dreams that seemed to attack me with great force. I felt defeated. It is common, and most people will stop at this stage calling this pursue a futility, a "senseless fight against nature." Do not give up. You may lose a battle, but you will win the war. If you are determined victory is guaranteed. Paraphrasing Carl Jung, if you fight"the urge and temptation" more of it will be on the way. Success is about understanding. Experiment! Observe yourself and how you feel around "trigger points." This "urge" or "libido" is closely related with lust as many religions point out. I have found that anger is intimately related with lust as siblings are blood related. Conquer one of them, the other will wither away. Understand what triggers those vices in you and remain in a non-reactive frame of mind, observing the "show" within you. Meditation is helpful for this, since it allows you to be aware of your inner world.
Pursuing the path of Celibacy, after being part of the "other side" is a real challenge. It defeats any other feat that you can think of. The reward of it, however; is immense.
Through a connection with the source, with God; things become easier. In this connection you will never feel that you are giving something up, but celibacy will become a natural state. There is real pleasure experienced as your level of "purity" increases. It is called "supersensous joy." In this experience you are obtaining something much enjoyable. The experience of fulfillment, of bliss and happiness, which will manifest in feelings as energy through your heart or through your head and will last as long as you can hold it. Finally, something where too much of it, is simply very good for you!
May you be a conqueror of yourself and enjoy the fountain of youth by going back to your child like nature. Blessings from the heart!
Feel free to email me, if you have a question.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)