Temptations

Hello Amit,

Thanks for the query. Coming to the answer,

Q: How does a Brahmachari deal with temptations and desires?
A: Sensory temptations that arise and threaten to make one stray from the path of Brahmacharya are due to strong past karma that surfaces from the 'Kaarana sharira' or the causal body.

The following methods will prove to be useful in subduing lust when one is troubled. They can be used individually or separately based on one's need.

1. Close the eyes and concentrate on the region between the eyes with focus and pray to god, asking him to take lust away.

2. Indulge in 'Mula Bandha' a few times (Sit in Padmaasana - Take a deep breath - hold the breath - contract the anal muscles and pull the 'Apana Vaayu' upwards: as one does while withholding urination or defecation) this will increase the force of 'Prana' and subdue 'Apaana', the force behind sexual awakening.

3. By altering the vision towards the woman concerned to that of a mother or sister.

4. Another method useful for beginners is that whenever there is a stirring up of lust at the sight of a woman, one can imagine the smell and physical form of the woman devoid of skin. Minus skin, the human body has the extremely disagreeable and repulsive smell of blood and raw flesh (as one can know when there is a cut or laceration) minus skin; the human flesh resembles the cut up carcass of an animal at the butcher. This is how the female form actually is under those clothes and skin devoid of all beauty and attraction.

5. Reminding oneself the fact that the human body is filled with disagreeable matter such as stool, urine, pus, phlegm etc... 'Vairaagya' or dispassion will dawn at the false concept of being attracted to the physical form which is a holding bag for of all the above. Would anyone be attracted to a bag containing such refuse?

6. Imagine how the same woman would look in her old age with wrinkled skin, rotting teeth, scant hair and a disagreeable smell. This technique is very effective to remind one that the attraction of flesh is apparent, temporary and totally false. That it is an illusion similar to the one created in a magic show. This will make a person discount another for their physical appearance and value only the eternal, ever beautiful, divine and pure 'Atman' or soul within.

4. Drinking a glass of water, washing the urinary organ with cold water, immersing oneself in a tub of cold water to the waist, a cold water bath and going for a run are effective physical techniques.

God bless and have a nice day :-)
Dhananjay