Challenges while getting free of masturbation
Question
Hello Danvijay,
You previously advised me to follow unbroken Celibacy for a period of 1 year to come out of the pathetic state of life that I was living because of my habit of excessive masturbation. As I alrready stated, my mind and body is depleted of all my energy and right now I am leading a soul less life. I am trying to practise celibacy for the past 2 months and in vain. Every now and then I give in to the vigorous turmoil my mind subjects me with the thoughts of sexuality.
I, inspite of sincere pursuit of celibacy, I fail repeatedly because of my inability to harness my mind towards spirituality. It seems the Samskaras are so powerful that it defeats all my attempts. Also, I at times feel really out of track as now being in the course of making some sincere attempts to elevate the state of my life, I am suffering even worse. It seems my life is at all time low. I am constantly in a state of despair.
I really need to know how to overcome the strong forces of mind and establish myself in celibacy. I also need to understand the present state of my mind and body and the changes or challanges I would face physically or mentally so that I could prepare my self to overcome them. I am much more determined now and has to do this at any cost. Eagerly awaiting your word on this.
Thanks.
Answer
The initial stages of attempts at Brahmacharya further to may years of excessive recreational sex/masturbation involving heavy seminal wastage are uphill and appear contrary to ones nature. The Samskara-s (impressions) and Vasana-s (tendencies) which accrue further to such a life will have become very dense and strong. One has to remember that one is trying to undo what has been done over the past decade or more. The result of many years of such activity cannot be undone completely in a month or a few months. Much resistance and trouble will be encountered by the Brahmachari in the initial year. Under such conditions, there is no other way but to stick to the practice stubbornly and forcefully. However, if the efforts are Herculean, honest, and sincere with devotion to God, success gradually blossoms.
One should resolve This slavery to masturbation has caused me much sorrow. It is eating away my very existence. I will henceforth not let this devil spoil my well being. I will weed it out & finally kill it. Let what happens happen. I will not give in or give up. With such an attitude, one should follow a life of Yoga & Brahmacharya as detailed in past answers. No amount of obstruction or lethargy should be allowed to come in the way. Will power and determination should be exercised this way with prayer and devotion to God. Then, after many months of such honest efforts with an honest life of Yoga & Brahmacharya carried out with 4.00 A.M wake up, things become better and come under control.
You should apply these tenets for a complete year without worrying about the results. Do not think of failure. Do not think of the fruits. We are not concerned with the fruits; that is taken care of by HIM. Our purview ends at honest effort. If success hasnt come, it means the efforts are not up to the mark. It means that more concrete actions are to be employed. HE is very impartial and just. HE always gives as much fruits as our efforts deserve. Not more, not less. Till you attain to the state of completely getting free from masturbation and pornography, you should persevere with great effort. The troubles you are facing are the result of past karma. There is no other reason. We ourselves have to break our past karma with strong efforts. God then supports the endeavour.
You should work as though your very life is in danger. Observe how fast and quickly even an old, weak man runs out of the path of a moving train. Such should be the energy and urgency with which you persevere. Slavery to recreational sexuality/masturbation is more dangerous than a moving train. The train will kill you in a second; slavery to masturbation will kill you slowly and agonizingly for as long as you live. It will make life so foul and so full of decay that words cannot sum up the pain and horror of the torture. Remember this everytime you feel the urge for the debilitating activity.
With these thoughts in your mind, fight like a real man. A real man is he who has real mental strength. Physical strength is nothing before mental strength. Just as a cornered animal fights for its life with extreme ferocity and determination, one should fight against masturbation. Remember, you are fighting for your life. There is no question of giving up. Nobody gives up when it is a matter of life and death. They may give up on other occasions but not when it comes to life and death. A cornered animal never gives up. It will die fighting but will not give up. Such should be the attitude while fighting the devil called masturbation. If such an attitude is exercised, this devil becomes weak and eventually gives up. Even then should one always be careful, for it is a devil which is very cunning and sly. It is an opportunist which is waiting in the dark to pounce again. Incesant efforts and the grace of God are required for complete and permanent freedom.
Not a single day should you miss waking up at 4.00 A.M and not on a single day should you miss the Yogic practices of Asana, Bandha, Nâdi shodhana, Pranayama and God-meditation morning and evening as described in past answers. Have your efforts been like this? You know the answer. From today, your efforts will be like this. Not a day will you wake up later than 4.00 A.M nor miss the practice. After 365 days of such honest and sincere activity without worrying about the results but with full devotion to God, we will discuss the situation once more.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)