Cunning rationalization of the mind for sex and intimacy
Question
Dear Bro,
I thank you for providing guidance on what happens after death. Your advice was deeply appreciated.
I am however troubled by something else in relation to brahmacharya. By God's grace, I have practiced brahmacharya close to a month.
1) However, the mind is starting to rationalize that sex or intimacy is ok as it is just a harmless game of youthful forces. This rationalization is going again and again in my mind and is endangering my vow. How to overcome this, despite calling on to God, the thought keeps on coming back. Especially in this period when I have fell asick frequently, my will power has gone down.
2) What are the karmic consequences for i)full-fledged sex? ii) mere foreplay with no penetration iii) masturbation only iv) watching porn?
I am sure there ought to be consequences apart from the waste of time and energy. If consequences await after death, then what will happen in the court of yama for the above 4 acts after death per sastras?
Why does the sexual thoughts keep coming back despite calling on to the lord?
Pls advice. Thank you.
Answer
1. Ones rationalization against recreational sexuality should be based on the fact that it is Anatma (non-Atman) and Asat (falsity). Hence such indulgence takes one away from self-realization. Since the aim of the Brahmachari is to become the pure Atman and obtain liberation, he has to develop Vairagya for everything Anatma and concentrate only on Atmic attributes. This is why recreational sexuality is given up. The numerous methods to substantiate this fact are available in past answers.
2. Sex for procreation (for one or two wanted children) with ones legally wedded spouse does not have any negative karmic consequences. All other kinds of sexuality end in sorrow. Masturbation and pornography densify past Samskara-s & Vasana-s, weaken the body & mind and make the Jiva unfit for Kaivalya (self-realization), whereupon it has to suffer incessantly in the ocean of Samsâra in sorrow. Answer to the effects of wanton, recreational sexuality are available in the title: Effect of Sexual relationships DT: 12/4/2010 in past answers.
3. The consequences of recreational sexuality are borne and suffered here on Earth itself in this or subsequent births. Sexual thoughts recur with force because the seeds of past Samskara-s & Vasana-s are very strong and potent. Just as the seeds of a plant sprout into saplings when conditions are favorable, the seeds of past sexual action sprout into sexual thought, word or deed when the conditions become favorable.
Merely calling the Lords name is not of much use because past karma was committed by us and not the Lord. Hence we alone have to bear the consequences. However, intense Bhakti (devotion) to God can help subjugate these thoughts to some extent temporarily. The only way to burn these seeds of past karma permanently is through the practice of a life of Yoga and unbroken Brahmacharya. These then weaken and finally get roasted after many years of practice leading to Kaivalya (self-realization).
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)