Date Posted:07:50 Author: norman - 29 May 2002 Subject: Re: Brahmacharya In reply to:
Chris - 28 May 2002
's message, "Brahmacharya" on 07:49
Chris,
Thanks for the post on celibacy. I think that the main thing to remember is moderation with all appetites including sex. Of course if you are married you should make this decision together and not expect your partner to be as interested in celibacy as you might be. If you are married I would like to recommend an audio tape by Self Realization Fellowship entitled, "Spiritual Marriage". Brother Anandamoy is the speaker and touches on celibacy and other aspects of a spiritual relationship.
I looked at the site "www.celibacy.org" that you suggested. The author has definitely spent a large amount of time researching celibacy and knows a lot. Celibacy, however, like anything isn't for everyone. I think that a couple can still enjoy sex from time to time without having it for procreation purposes only. I think that it's a beautiful thing when combined with love and respect for the other person. Several of the authors statements seemed a bit off balance including this one on the last page of the site, "There is hope for homosexuals and other sexual perverts. Just as sexual indulgence leads to sexual perversion, the opposite also holds true. If a sexually perverted person will become celibate and practice celibacy, he will begin returning to a healthy state. The perverse feelings he once had will begin to lessen. A homosexual man, if celibate long and practicing austerities, will one day find himself attracted to a woman in a natural way." I don't know what the author is basing his opionion on but it surely isn't on facts. Like anything people can become too focused on one or two aspects of the spiritual path and get a bit off kilter. But I think we could all watch our appetites a bit and there is always room for improvement. If you have sex does it really mean that you failed or that you're a failure? I don't believe so. Relax a bit. We're not going to get closer to GOD by thinking we need to be perfect on everything little thing. Have love for yourself even you aren't at the spiritual plateau you think you should be at.
