To: K-list
Recieved: 1999/07/17 08:06
Subject: [K-list] min-poll celibacy
From: A. Erhart
On 1999/07/17 08:06, A. Erhart posted thus to the K-list:
On Thu, 15 Jul 1999 15:07:27 Druout wrote:
>I agree with those who find that sexual activity can both calm K activity
>down (take the pressure off) and can also expand K activity--adding to the
>intensity. I haven't found any pattern that can explain why it's one way or
>another. Frequently it expands K when I'd like it to calm it down.
Me too. :)
After having read that fatty foods and orgasms were
supposed to calm K down, I ate more and stepped up the
sexual activity prior to travelling thinking it would
lessen K activity during the travel.
But no.
Fatty foods calm K for about 20 min, then K gets more
energy to do its thing and jumps up.
This is kind of weird as being hungry makes K jump as
well, and the same with sex. The only thing that goes
"against" K these days is working. :)
And after having had a "K jump" by looking at fish
embryos in the microscope, I can't say there is much
that can dampen it. As someone else once told me,
every activity is done to increase the energy, one
way or the other.
One day it's the sky path, another day it's the earth,
one day it's yantra and another it's mantra.
I feel like I don't own the body anymore, but I can't
say I'm sorry. :) The old pile of bones. ;)
>"Those who advocate celibacy don't understand their own sexuality as part of
>the godhead. Celibacy can be seen as a sign of immaturity and a certain
>indicator that your teacher has missed the point, as enlightenment is powered
>by controlling sexual energy. ..."
>
>I don't agree with the immaturity part, as I see this choice as being very
>individual, personal matter.
Thanks for doing the polls and the tallying, Hilary.
Boy, your K must love statistics ! LOL !
Maybe we should start "The Bureau of Kundalini
Statistics -Anywhere, everywhere, by special
appointment of the
Brahman. -Statistics that will blow your mind" ? LOL !
Thanks also for the provocative quote. :)
Celibacy and K seems to be a quite provocative subject
deeming from the last days' flurry of posts to the list.
It's cool to see so many ppl responding and getting
involved, and hearing about other ppl's experiences. :)
In my view, the practice if celibacy or the opposite,
active usage of the sex energy, ultimately are two
faces of the same coin. I'll address that later on.
But first:
I must admit, I am not especially taken by the thought
of celibacy being a necessity for spiritual development
as many Asian traditions will have it.
The reasons for this view may be that in the guru
traditions, where you have one teacher and many students, the chance for misconduct is very very
great. There must be self discipline and abstaining
from personal relationships. This has always been a
problem in all forms of religious / mystical practice
and all forms of
teacher/student relationships.
There must be a strong barrier between thinking and
acting, because even the most pure spiritual teacher
may feel tempted once in a while.
Thus, and I am not saying this is the correct solution,
please don't anybody in the old traditions be offended,
the practice of celibacy certainly does have its
social advantages. By advocating total abstinence and
sublimation of sexual energy, you greatly lessen the
wishes in the earnest practitioners to "misbehave".
Also, remember that the old yoga and tantra
schools were very often looked
down at or askance by the general Hindu public.
Sex scandals probably often happened, not as we know
them
today with appropriate or less appropriate
relationships forming between teacher and student, but
actual rapes being
committed in the name of god. It is no coincidence
so many of the old sciptures say there is a great
punishment awaiting those who committ rape in the
name of god (Georg Feuerstein mentions this in
his book on Tantra schools. If anyone doubts my words
and wants a more
detailed reference, send me a post in private).
In addition, the Tantric practice of sex is not the
same as that performed and written about in modern
books on "Tantra".
But that is an aside.
Back to the issue of celibacy.
In my view, celibacy and non-celibacy is the same thing;
a ulitilization of the life force / K / sex energy
(whatever you want to call it) for spiritual and
mystical means.
Celibacy without an attitude of understanding and
consent and heartfelt reason is just going through
the motions and repressing the true Self. That is not
good as the impulses will always be there and will
resurface as soon as there is a chance.
The same is true for sex without boundaries.
Headless search for sex is bad, it's the body
controlling the mind and not vice versa. In my view,
both abstinence and mindless sex done
can be like the ascetics of India, overdoing
things. It's a double edge.
Maybe my view is highly colored by having a K which
oscillates between wanting celibacy and wanting orgasm.
But: in my experience it's the intention and the
honesty of the intention which is the important thing,
not what is done.
When it's done with the motive
to love god and reach a greater understanding of god,
the force is always drawn in that direction, whether
it's being sublimated through abstinence or active
release. Both are equally good methods when it's done
with a heartfelt intention.
God doesn't love celibacy per se. He loves the
dedication, love and intentions expressed in it.
The same as he loves all expressions of true love,
including sex. You don't have to have a body to
do it.
Just walking can be a dedication to god, every act
can be a dedication to god and a stepping stone
to unity. It doesn't matter what is done, as long
as it's done with ahimsa and love. I mean, I have
had samadhi while fireing a gun, not exactly the
normal yogic approach. It all depends on your
attitude.
(This is not to critisize others, just to share
reflections)
For me personally,
being in a relationship with another human being has
always been second to having a sexuality geared
towards spirituality.
I feel like I never have had a "normal" sex drive,
i.e. wanting a boyfriend or wanting children.
For me, it's always been ideas, emotions and
spirituality. Love and sex has always been about
god and union with god, never about just "getting laid".
Don't get pissed off at me now ppl.
Best regards,
Amanda.
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