Celibacy

[Guest guest]

From a recent posting by Srikanth on the role of Celibacy.

 

Quote:

The importance of celibacy in one's spiritual

progress is never undermined.But, I just feel that if

every human in this world begins to feel that he/she

has to be celibate to realise God, then there shall be

no continuance of humanity.I being a science student

believe that anything ideal must be the best and also

the most favoured.But here we see that although our

goal of realising God by being celibates is noble, but

its consequences of wiping out the whole human race is

dreadful.Is this a liberation since no human would not

be born again there being no births at all?

>from Srikanth

Unquote

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~response ~~~~~~~~~

 

One Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna said something like:

'Unless one has the grace of God - celibacy is almost impossible'.

 

So the number of people going along this path at any time is

going to be limited. The fact that something is difficult may tempt

us to compromise and even suggest that celibacy is not that

important! We have to take care not to reduce our goals

just because they are difficult.

 

The point raised by you about the 'end of mankind' if everyone

becomes celibate is often raised at public talks. I give a

light hearted reply saying: 'If you want to be celibate, be celibate.

Do not worry about the population growth, there are a large number

of people out there who will be happy to procreate on your behalf. : )

 

jay

[Guest guest]

Greetings:

 

I, too, had the concern that if everyone became celibate in order to realize

Truth, then we would, eventually, be " wiping out the human race. " However,

upon further meditation/reading I was led to the conclusion: So What!? As

the goal of life is, indeed, moksha, then this material universe is merely a

stepping stone, with no permanent importance or reality (as Shankara taught,

only that which is eternal is Real). Our Creator will have other lilas in

store for our souls, once we have dropped the encumbrance of a fleshly form.

I'm confident that God has new " universes " and " realities " that will allow

us to find even greater joy, love and ways to express our individual

creativities, interests and desires.

 

Regarding the concern of what would happen to humanity if the whole world

was sitting around meditating, we must believe in Sri Ramakrishna when he

tells us that when we give our " power of attorney " (what a great phrase!) to

God, then we surrender our will, our actions, our desires, and our fears to

Him - and let Him worry about the details, i.e., what's for dinner, etc. Who

knows, He may then provide for our sustenance in the form of " manna " from

Heaven.

 

And, thanks Free Sue for your comments. I imagine you are one of the few,

actual celibates, who has contributed their thoughts to this impoprtant

topic. I would be fascinated to learn more about your personal experience

with celibacy (please excuse my intrusion into your personal life), such as:

Has it deepened your meditation and/or realization? Have you completely

conquered lustful thoughts, or is it an ongoing struggle? What techniques in

overcoming the struggle have you found effective? Will you ever become

non-celibate in the future? etc.

 

God Bless Us All,

Brad

[Guest guest]

Greetings:

 

Some quotes from, " Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna " :

 

79. " Try to gain absolute mastery over the sexual instinct. If one succeeds

in doing this, a physiological change is produced in the body by the

development of a hitherto rudimentary nerve known as the Medha (the function

of which is to transmute the lower energies into the higher). The knowledge

of the higher Self is gained after the development of this Medha verve. "

(Note: As implied by Swami Yogeshananda in Diest 972, it takes 12 years of

re-directed sexual energy to the spiritual for this nerve to mature.)

 

82. " When atttachment for wealth and sex is wiped out from the mind, what

else is left in the soul? Only the bliss of Brahman. "

 

From the Master's teachings, I have concluded that without (mental and

physical) celibacy, I should not expect to achieve moksha in this lifetime.

Does that mean I give up and don't try at all? No! I will try very hard, in

order to provide my next life with an even greater chance for surrendering

the body and ego to my Creator.

 

God Bless Us All,

Brad