Checking wet dreams using Mula Bandha
Question
Hi Dhananjay,
In general, wet dreams are also considered a break in celibacy, though not as injurious as intentional break in celibacy.
I have found that when one is on the verge of losing vital elements in wet dream, one wakes up. In such a condition, trying to stop the loss of vital elements using will power never worked for me.
Few days ago, when I was in similar situation, I did external retention along with simultaneously pulling up the sex centre upward. It did not stop the loss fully, but reduced it by a great degree. I am wondering whether there is any other technique which may be even more effective than this or whether with time, more application of this technique will stop the loss of vital elements completely in the long run and one will have perfect physical celibacy.
I am aware that one has to purify the mind also, otherwise wet dreams will probably continue to happen. But, I was wondering whether some yoga techniques can stop them fully even when mentally some lustful desires are present. The reason is I am not sure, whether one can fully finish off lustful desires from mind in teens, 20s and 30s - the nature does not seem to support it due to biological reason. At the most full physical celibacy and a substantial level of mental celibacy seems to be in the range unless someone is a born Siddha like Raman Maharshi.
Also, I have read in biography of Ramakrishna Paramahansa that wet dreams do not do any harm: "The loss of reproductive elements dissipates a persons strength. But there is no harm in nocturnal emission. That reproductive element is from food. After nocturnal emission, a man retains enough to succeed. But he must not lose it voluntarily. What remains after nocturnal emission is very refined. The Lahas stored pots of molasses[18] with holes in the bottom. After a year it was found that the molasses had turned into crystals, like sugar candy. Whatever liquid there was had come out through the holes."
On the other hand, Swami Sivananda seems to be suggesting that wet dreams will substantially harm spiritual growth. What's your understanding on this?
Thanks,
Gopal
Answer
1. Practicing Mula Bandha the moment before one realizes the culmination of a wet dream in sleep is the best method at such times. It prevents copious loss. Wet dreams occur due the presence of strong past Samskara-s (impressions) and Vasana-s (tendencies) in the Kârana Sharira (causal body). These are slowly burnt in the course of time through a life of Yoga and unbroken Brahmacharya. Wet dreams then reduce in frequency with advancement. After the Yogi becomes a complete Urdhvareta, they stop forever. There is no other method of complete cessation of wet dreams.
2. Age has nothing to do with Brahmacharya or wet dreams. It is the degree of purity attained by the Jiva (from past births) that matters. Very advanced Jiva-s hence have very few or no sexual urges even in their teens or twenties and show a natural inclination towards God and spirituality. Others reach this stage after a few years of Brahmacharya.
3. Shri. Ramakrishna Paramahansa is referring to the inevitable wet dreams that occasionally occur in the first few years of practice (as and when certain past samskara-s surface or as the result of excess food). Such wet dreams are beyond ones control. There is no other way but to go through the suffering.
Swami Sivananda is referring to those increased wet dreams which tend to occur if a Brahmachari is not honest in his practice and resorts to sexual stimulus and fantasy. This indicates lack of sincerity in practice. It becomes detrimental to Brahmacharya. This is the difference.
One should exert with utmost devotion, sincerity and honesty in a life of Yoga & Brahmacharya with God-devotion for self-realization. Till certain very strong sexual Samskara-s are not cleared and burnt, wet dreams continue, though occasionally. The only way to burn these is through correct Yogic lifestyle with deep and regular meditation. After the Yogi masters Sasmita Samadhi meditation, Bindu (seed) stabilizes at the Ajna Chakra in the region of the brain and does not flow down to form semen. He then becomes a complete Urdhvareta and wet dreams cessate fully.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)