== BABA'S GUIDELINE ON HOW TO CONTROL SEX ==
Namaskar,
One of the most important aspects of spirituality is knowing how to keep
the mind moving in a sentient direction-- as well as recognising when
the mind is starting to degrade.
FOUR BASIC PROPENSITIES
All human beings have four inborn or basic propensities: ahar (hunger),
nidra (sleep), bhaya (fear), and maethuna (procreation). These are
present within each and every person, and one becomes great by gaining
control over these propensities-- because then the mind will flow
swiftly and smoothly towards the path of dharma and one's spiritual ideal.
Failing that, the mind will move outwardly towards the mundane world via
the indriyas (motor & sensory organs) and express in the form of these 4
cruder propensities. Unfortunately, in today's materialistic society,
nearly the whole population is involved in this degenerated way of life.
Of course for sadhakas, our way is different. We are to direct the mind
towards the atman or soul and from there reach to God-- never allowing
the flow of mind to degrade and blindly run after these four basic
propensities.
HOW TO CONTROL THESE PROPENSITIES
The question then is how to control these four basic propensities. And
here Baba Himself provides us with the answer.
Baba says, "The peculiar nature of these propensities is this: if they
are given indulgence, they increase. And they easily come under control
with a slight effort; only in the initial stage, one must struggle a
little to control them." (NSS: Disc 16)
So the first half of the equation is that if we encourage these
propensities-- if we act on them-- then that particular vrtti or
propensity will multiply exponentially and one will become a slave to
that propensity.
Baba says, "As with any of the four vrttis, if sleep is encouraged,
people can spend twenty-three out of the twenty-four hours of their day
in sleep." (NSS: Disc 16)
Hence just as one can sleep all day long, one be totally dominated by
any of the 4 cruder propensities, if they are encouraged. A man can eat
150 eggs if that is his choosing. A person can become totally fearful of
each and every thing in this universe if the fear vrtti encouraged.
Likewise, one's entire existence can be swallowed up by sexual lust if
one is not careful. Such is the case with so many so-called superstars
of Hollywood etc.
Then what are we to do?
Baba says, "They [the 4 basic propensities] easily come under control
with a slight effort."
In a phrase, the second half of Baba's formula is that we are to
discourage those cruder propensities-- we are not to act on them
blindly, in which case their effect on the mind will diminish and the
mind will be free to move towards a higher ideal.
HOW SEX VRTTI GETS ENCOURAGED
But in this crude era of kali yuga, of extreme materialism, of
degenerated capitalism, each and every direction one looks, or nearly
so, there is the encouragement of the sex vrtti: In advertisements, on
the internet, in movies, by risque dress on the street, and so many
ways. Naturally, then the bulk of the population gets pulled in that
direction. And the consequence is awful: Sexual diseases, unplanned
pregnancies, ruined marriages, and the degeneration of mind such that
peace and composure can never be found.
So as sadhakas we are to take proper care, and, if at any time, our
minds accidentally get exposed to sexually oriented things-- such as
when browsing the internet-- then immediately we should close the eyes,
take Baba's name, and see His image in dhyana. In a word, we are to ask
His grace. That is the only way. Otherwise that crude picture will flash
in the mind again and again. So it must be dissolved and replaced or
diverted with something else-- namely Baba's image.
By this way we will always get success because Baba's grace is far more
powerful than those crude vrttis.
DISCOURAGE AND CHANNELISE
So the two step approach in AM for overcoming sexual lust and the
domination of any of the four baser propensities is (a) discouragement
and (b) channelisation.
Discouragement, as discussed above, means not (over)indulging in that
direction whether it be excess sleep, overeating, fear complex, or crude
lustful "pleasures". If one does not mentally or physically swim in that
direction, then the mind will not be prone to flowing that way.
In which case the mind will be free to move in a sentient manner, which
leads into point (b), channelisation.
As we all know, in our sadhana and dhyana, we are to make a link with
Parama Purusa-- an inner relation with Him. And as Baba explains in His
book, Namami Krsna Sundaram, the sadhaka is to adopt one of the various
bhavas-- Friend, Father, Slave, Lover, whichever one feels natural. Then
through that relation the mind will be able to run towards Parama
Purusa. Then one's crude propensities will be wholly diverted and
channelised towards Baba, and the degrading effect of those crude
propensities will wane, diminish, or become nil.
In a nutshell this is Baba's proven and scientific way for overcoming
the bondage of the four crude vrttis and inviting bliss into one's life.
MORE PARTS TO THE PUZZLE
Even then there are many more parts to the puzzle which can be
elaborated upon later or raised by someone else. Here are some of those
pieces.
* The way to divert sexual energy is by making a relation with Baba in
sadhana, that we know. But when the eyes are open and one is walking
down the street, then we are to look upon all females as mother. That is
the tantric depiction of women. Then the feeling of lust will not arise
because one will be involved in the sentient ideal that women are the
mothers of men. Likewise, sisters should think that all males are their
father, that will also discourage the sex impulse. But far and away, it
is brothers who suffer more from this problem as the society exploits
females and objectifies females as the tools of male enjoyment.
* In order to overcome crude propensities, Buddhists resort to negative
ideation and hatred by thinking of females merely as a combination of
biological parts such as the stomach with its undigested food or the
bowels with its storage of waste. That is how the Buddhist doctrine
advises practitioners to overcome sexual feeling. But this breeds
disgust and hatred in the mind, which is why it is far more suitable and
appropriate to adopt the tantric ideal that all women are to be looked
upon as mother.
* Avidya maya wants to keep each and every person in her clutch. That is
why when she sees anyone adopt the spiritual path then she hurls
thousands of obstacles in that person's way in hopes of derailing their
progress. Indeed maya is just like a female spy that is sent into enemy
territory to get information by using her sexual appeal. Those who fall
prey do not understand what they are getting themselves into. Same with
the sadhaka who falls prey to lust etc. That sadhaka does not realise
that it is merely Mahamaya trying to bound them in her clutch.
* The human mind cannot go in two directions. So if the mind adopts a
particular bhava and links up with Parama Purusa, then that mind will be
less susceptible to degradation. Because the mind can only go in one
direction. And when the mind is wholly engaged in its spiritual pursuit,
then there is absolutely no chance of degradation. So it all depends on
the degree to which one is involved in sadhana.
* The whole path of mysticism is to withdraw the mind from the physical
organs (indriyas) and channelise the mind toward the atman or soul, and
from the unit soul reach up to God. Unfortunately, now many travel the
opposite path and their mind flows towards the indriyas and from there
they crudely interact with the mundane world, thereby indulging in those
crude propensities.
* Above all, the most important point is that when tempted in any
negative direction, then immediately seek out and ask the sweet grace of
Parama Purusa and request Him again and again to save you from all sorts
of problems and difficulties. Then surely He will respond by showering
His grace and you will be saved. Because let us never forget that His
grace is more powerful than any force in this universe.
BABA'S GRACE
By Baba's grace He has given us all the tools and inherent longing to
cultivate more and more anurakti, or more precisely para'nurakti, in
life-- thereby shedding the effect of the crude, basic propensities like
sex etc, and developing greater closeness and love for Him.
Baba says, "When one’s psychic attraction is toward the crude, the mind
has a downward tendency, which leads to one’s eventual downfall. But
when the mind moves upward it is called anurakti [attraction for the
Great]. The consummation of this attraction is devotion." (APH-8)
Baba says, "Anurakti is of two kinds. The anurakti for the Supreme
Brahma or Infinite Cosmic Consciousness is para'nurakti. The anurakti
for Brahma under the sway of prakrti or the anurakti for the crude
manifestations is termed apara'nurakti. God is an object for
para'nurakti. When the aspirant considers the Supreme Brahma to be his
own, it is termed bhajana' or bhakti." (AMIWL-2)
Namaskar,
Jiivendra
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