Power of the intellect

A physically strong and healthy man with robust health and well being might find that he has a lesser tendency to catch cold and fever despite lack of warm clothing. He gets away without contracting these illnesses even whilst wearing inadequately warm clothing. Does this mean he will never contract cold or fever if he purposely eats contaminated food and places himself in an unhealthy environment? Or, does it mean that everyone can get away without the least health issues if they purposely wear scant and inadequate clothing under cold conditions? No.

The man under consideration might be saved from cold and flu due to innumerable factors. He might basically be blessed with a tendency against contracting these diseases due to his current efforts at maintaining physical health and robustness or efforts from his past births in this direction that have made him immune to the problem. He might co-incidentally be at that stage in his life where everything is going right & well for him further to his good karma working out and has hence not seen adversity. This does not make it sensible or correct for others to follow suit and say -" Since he exposed himself to cold weather and didn't get a cold or fever, we shall also wear scant clothing, not take precautions and challenge the cold"!

It is commonsense and sensibility to protect ourselves against unfavorable weather by wearing warm clothing and taking the necessary precautions. This is how the wise and right thinking man will behave. This way, he has done his duty in taking precautions against the weather. He might still get a cold or fever if such a thing is in store of his karma. He does not know if he will truly succeed in preventing the illness. Since it forms a part of righteousness, sensibility and correct action to take care of one's body and protect it against the elements, the wise man always performs his duty at being kind to this medium called the body.

The practice of Brahmacharya is very similar, but on a larger scale also covering the mind, psyche and one's karmic evolution. The practice of Brahmacharya will eventually lead to an improvement in all bodily functions, better health and better well being. It will lead to better functioning of the intellect, memory, concentration and all other abilities. If a man is leading a life of seminal wastage and is yet found to possess notable qualities, he will shine even better to the level of genius in his field of prowess if he were to adopt a life of Brahmacharya and transmute his semen. His abilities and talent would tweak themselves to even superior levels if backed by the power of Brahmacharya. His present state of mental or intellectual prowess could be a result of his efforts in this direction from many past births. A layman will not have the talents as he has not persevered in these fields earlier. This explains the presence of child geniuses in the fields of sports, academics and music who are born with superior talent and exhibit the same at ages as young as their 5th or 6th year. One part of their personality is at the zenith, giving them superior prowess in their field of play. This is a result of consistent efforts from past births. If such people practice Brahmacharya, their talent heightens to an even greater degree along with the unfolding of various other parts of their personality, which was not the case earlier, considering their prowess was limited to a particular field.

A person accomplished in academics such as a well known professor represents talent and knowledge of a particular subject in the study curriculum. This comes further to effort by the person in this direction. The concerned professor might have put in much effort to garner knowledge and teaching techniques to the level he has attained. It is this much and not more. Using his God given ability, he has persevered to the extent required to make himself successful. This does not make him immune to the negative effects of sexuality, excessive coffee drinking or alcoholism. If he does not take care to keep these things within limits, and instead gets to the point of addiction, he will soon find himself in a tight spot down the years where all his health, well being, intelligence and mental faculties find themselves on a shaky ground.

Mere success at the materialistic level lasting a few years is nothing. It is like a glimpse of light seen when the clouds clear and form a bright sky. Unless one strives to maintain one's health and clear thinking with a proper lifestyle independent of addictions, downfall is sure to come sooner or later. There are innumerable examples of noted public figures known for achievements in their respective fields who have lost all their health, wealth, reputation and well being thanks to their uncontrollable addictions to drugs, alcohol, womanizing and wanton sexuality. Their brief life in limelight which they had acquired further to much effort and work was all lost in a trice, thanks to addictions which overpowered and enslaved them.

Isn't it commonsense that healthy food, right living, correct thinking and right conduct are the pillars for a happy life? Will an athlete participating in the Olympics consume excessive coffee, eat all sorts of junk food, party all night long, cavort with many women and lead a life of indiscipline because the professors you described do so? No. The athlete leads a very special and disciplined life with restricted food, correct sleep and correct practice. Else, he is sure to loose the edge required for participating in such an international event. If the achievement of success in a physical sport such as athletics requires such effort and devotion, how much more devotion should be required to the attainment of the highest through self-realization which is beyond the body, mind and psyche?

A life of indiscipline, addiction and overindulgence is the formula for suffering of the worst kind even for a materialist. When there is God given health and well being during the early years of life, the damage is not very apparent. It becomes clear and well seen as time progresses. By the time a man reaches mid-life, the effects of such wrong living become very clear and apparent. They manifest in the form of incurable diseases and problems and torment him to no end.

The effects of semen conservation take time to flower and bear fruit. One cannot follow a life of unbroken Brahmacharya for one month and foolishly complain -"My memory and intelligence are the same". Let it be practiced unbroken for a couple of years, and let the effects be seen for themselves. Ojas improves not merely material life but also spiritual growth. No spirituality can even start without Brahmacharya. It is the foundation for success in all endeavors.

ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)