how to be celibant

Hello Tony,

Keep the interest in celibacy going. Thanks for the question, let me try to shed light on the matter

Q1: What is the best method to ensure continuous success in celibacy?
A: To put it in one word, that Brahmachari succeeds in continuous celibacy who has constantly persevered in this direction, long enough to tip the balance in his favor as regards to breaking even his negative karma. In other words, celibacy becomes longer and longer and finally life long, as the celibate reaches higher and higher states of purity (by honest efforts, consistency, perseverance and reverence to this mode of life) whereby his negative (delusive karma) starts to melt away to nothing. If negative karma leading to impurity is very heavy, it may take more than one life. This is the final reason for achievement or non-achievement of celibacy.

The reason behind this is very simple. Every time we indulge in sinful or virtuous activity (in thought, word or deed), we etch karma into our account. This storehouse of all +ve and -ve karma is stored in our causal body or the 'Karana sharira'. Every action we indulge in produces a 'Samskaara' or a mark. These 'Samskara's' in turn produce 'Vaasanas' or tendencies.

Lets say a man has indulged in very frequent sexual activity for recreation, being attached to the concept of sex very strongly over many past lives, then a strong 'Samskaara' for the desire to have sex gets etched in his 'Kaarana sharira'. Further to the presence of this strongly etched Samskaara, he develops the 'Vaasana' or a tendency that pulls and attracts him to any object related to sexuality. If he is unmindful of its dangers and takes no efforts to curtail this tendency, he slips deeper and deeper into sin as the tendency gets stronger and stronger. On accumulation of such tendencies over many lives, the 'Samskaara' becomes very strong, so strong that it almost appears to be a part of his nature.

This is the case in most people who say sex is their birth right to pleasure and a human need. In reality, the concept of sexual pleasure is totally unreal. It is not the real nature of the soul which is pure and clear. Sexual need is an indication of ignorance etched in the person, a trick of the mind. It is here that celibacy comes as a cure. With continuous and honest celibacy, man can gain freedom from this 'Devil' called sexuality.The ways of achieving this goal, will become clear in the next question.

Q2: How does one achieve continued success in celibacy?
A: To go about achieving this, which is what Brahmacharya is all about, one needs to take steps to kill the familiarity of the sexual sensation in every possible way. The following methods will be helpful to achieve this:

1. Indulge in yoga, exercise or any other physical activity on a daily basis. This converts sexual energy into health and strength. The portion of semen meant for the physical nourishment of the body gets sublimated.
2. Keep the mind busy with adequate intellectual activity. When you spend time on constructive activities, there is less time for the mind to wander onto objects of the senses.
3. Indulge in spiritual sadhana consisting of prayer, meditation and pranayama. Pray to god honestly and sincerely to help you tide over the onslaught of the senses and become a true 'Brahmachari'.
4. Give up eating stimulant foods containing onion and garlic. Stay clear of alcohol, tobacco and other addictions.
5. Get up early in the morning and indulge in yoga (shirsasana or head stand is very helpful) & meditation. Keep your thoughts pure through the day. At the slightest sign of a lustful thought entering the mind, divert the mind to productive activity and ensure the thought doesn't grow. Stay away from company not conducive to this mode of life. Unless Brahmacharya is carried out in thought, word and deed it will not bear fruits beyond a limit.
6. If you are falling prey to the act of masturbation or sex, take a challenge not to indulge in the same for 15 days, on achieving this increase this limit to 20 days, then one month and so on. Once you succeed in celibacy without breaks for more than 3 months, the path becomes easier. A yogi who practices absolute Brahmacharya for more than 3 months and then loses his semen in masturbation or sex, will experience almost no pleasure or even pain during ejaculation. This will help him develop distaste for the concept of losing his semen.

With honest efforts, true practice and devotion to god success can be yours. Increase the period of abstinence with every passing day. Within a years time, you can achieve growth by leaps and bounds.

P.S : Please go through 'Past answers'to help widen understanding.

Hope this helps, revert for doubts of any
God bless and have a nice day :-)
Dhananjay