When pursuing spiritual enlightenment through meditation and yoga, is it necessary to abstain from ejaculation (whether through sex or through mastrubation)? It has been claimed that the sexual fluids are converted into spiritual energy after a period of time (one source said 40 days) and that to expel them is to squander potential spiritual benfits. Is there some truth to this, or is it just nonsense?
My understanding of this matter is that its not the fluids that are the issue, its more that buy engaging in masturbation you are arousing kundalini energy and that to do so it is necessary to bring this energy up to the 7th chakra. But because most people who engage in masturbation don’t/cant you are squandering spiritual energy and making it more difficult for you to fully manifest the full level of kundalini to the 7th chakra. Furthermore this energy is best used in the fullness of a relationship or better still raised in terms of celibacy to conjugate with the supreme Godhead and that to do any less would be to squander ones self and bring their focus back to sense gratification and the realm of egoic animal. Too be honest though i think its up to the individual to decide. I guess it would depend how much you agree and feel that sutras about sexual gratification are correct and how much your masturbation will impinge on your attaining oneness with Brahma and the Universe... As a guide if you raise it, and its energy based it would seem wise to do it with pure intention, or at least the intention of doing positively with it... even sending it back to its source etc... I hope this helps.
Brahmacharya is prescribed for retreatants during intensive practice, and is proscribed for regular or ordinary nonpractitioners. If one is a very sexual being then restraint can lead to a forced state of being which will not be stable. One needs to be an integral person, living as they feel the desire to live. Some persons are less interested in sex than others. A simple rule down the line is not therefore really applicable for all. Though during intensive meditation retreats being celibate helps one concentrate ones awareness. But one must weigh the potential of attaining some mental state of concentration against leading a natural life. Unnatural forcing of some state of being can become improper itself. If ones lives long enough time and age themselves lead to control and lessening of sexual desire. For the contemplative the latter years of life therefore seem even more appealing than the years of hormonal youth. Is the celibate any less controlled by their sex organ than the profligate? But ultimately this is a question each person must decide for themself. In Ayurveda ones sexual fluids are considered a tissue which is further refined to support higher states of consciousness. But my personal experience is that it ultimately makes little difference to ones practice. If one is distracted by their overstimulation then maybe one should just do such actions less.
Brahmacharya is much more than mere celibacy. It extends to avoiding all sensuous stimuli that cause agitation of desire in the mind, from the physical contact level to the thought level. The literal meaning of the term is "to walk the path of the divine". According to your position in life brahmacharya is different. For a student, it means total physical abstinence, while for householders it means judicious and timely indulgence, while for sanyasis it is total abstinence even in thought.
While this is true Westerners are probably dealing more frequently with the issue, and perhaps having a more situational reference point is better for them.
the ashramas are universal enough - everyone goes through student life and then household life of some sort, asnd then retirement.
