Remembering beauty is only skin deep.... Many people have found that right after sex when the immediate desire is sated that there is a feeling of disgust and repellance ...
And still... he was Ajahn Chah! I love this level of sincerity of the great spiritual people! It is really useful, inspiring! I always remember the lives of Saint Therese of Lisieaux, or Saint Augustin, or any Father of the Church. Or the Bhuddah, fighting Mara. Or Swami Ramdas, insisting on his mantra. Strenght is overcome ourselves! They knew! They teach! Thanks for posting!
@Arpy I might not give you the best answer for this question, but, in my opinion about this. The Buddha said that sensual desires could not be enjoyed - the five senses: eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and body pleasure. Because it does not give an ultimate happiness that lasts, these all pleasures only last for certain amount of time, and at the moment the pleasure is gone, dissatisfaction arises. That is called suffering - there is no match to the pleasure of Jhana when we are in deep meditation. The second thing what I thought the problem is, it really really affect what thoughts would arise in our meditation time because of worldly pleasure that leads to nothing but dissatisfaction. And, this is all as much as I realize these sensual desires this far. Although I could still not make a break through to all sensual desires. I hope you get it. May all beings be happy.
@fabianfred537 Monks are trained to not only see how the human body actually is, but to see how reality actually is. The human body is no different that a fragrant flower or a beautiful sunset. The ultimate nature of all phenomena is after all empty. That includes dung as well as gold ! Remember aversion from the body is the same as attachment to it!
I like this because these Buddhist world views and ethics are very congruent with what I read in the Bible. Not compatible with Buddhism or other religions though.
The human body balances itself naturally.If you are sound asleep I don't think there is much you can do about it.Penance, humility I think is a tad over the top.This has to be a tough one for a man. Restraint yes indeed but serious punishment?I don't think that's mentally healthy.Take care Ajahn.
Is retraining from any sexual activity medically healthy to do all your life..? Also if everyone was a monk that achieved enlightenment wouldn't that mean that there wouldn't be a next generation of humans to carry into the future..?
I don't understand something about buddhism (on monks) on sexual desire (need's).... you guys teach us to be kind, to be kind to our body's....supressing body desires to have sex is not being kind to your body, it's sorta negative, being unkind more like to the body, "your temple"...having sex/masturbation is kindness to the body is it not ?
penance and 'guilt'? These are heavy hang-ups ... a rather odd way of dealing with it! By practising forgiveness, the sexual instinct also becomes becalmed .... :)
@fabianfred537 thank you, this helps. Seems so obvious as all truths do. Upon thinking of certain sexual images - past relations etc. - and applying your thought method I instantly see through the illusion. It's all image, but no matter how glamorous and seductive these images and ideas may seem upon thinking about it realistically I can see the lack of any substance in my desires and I can see how they have been allowed to manifest in my mind with the aid of delusion.
I've battled all my life and since practicing meditation and studying Buddhism I have made progress.
Remembering beauty is only skin deep....
Many people have found that right after sex when the immediate desire is sated that there is a feeling of disgust and repellance ...
And still... he was Ajahn Chah! I love this level of sincerity of the great spiritual people! It is really useful, inspiring! I always remember the lives of Saint Therese of Lisieaux, or Saint Augustin, or any Father of the Church. Or the Bhuddah, fighting Mara. Or Swami Ramdas, insisting on his mantra. Strenght is overcome ourselves! They knew! They teach! Thanks for posting!
The background sound by the insects and cricket are so natural
@emborios You need to eat and drink to stay alive, but you don't need sex to survive. It is purely a desire.
I must go live by myself and have this battle
@Arpy I might not give you the best answer for this question, but, in my opinion about this. The Buddha said that sensual desires could not be enjoyed - the five senses: eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and body pleasure. Because it does not give an ultimate happiness that lasts, these all pleasures only last for certain amount of time, and at the moment the pleasure is gone, dissatisfaction arises. That is called suffering - there is no match to the pleasure of Jhana when we are in deep meditation.
The second thing what I thought the problem is, it really really affect what thoughts would arise in our meditation time because of worldly pleasure that leads to nothing but dissatisfaction. And, this is all as much as I realize these sensual desires this far. Although I could still not make a break through to all sensual desires. I hope you get it. May all beings be happy.
@fabianfred537
Monks are trained to not only see how the human body actually is, but to see how reality actually is. The human body is no different that a fragrant flower or a beautiful sunset. The ultimate nature of all phenomena is after all empty. That includes dung as well as gold !
Remember aversion from the body is the same as attachment to it!
I like this because these Buddhist world views and ethics are very congruent with what I read in the Bible. Not compatible with Buddhism or other religions though.
Thanks for sharing.
The human body balances itself naturally.If you are sound asleep I don't think there is much you can do about it.Penance, humility I think is a tad over the top.This has to be a tough one for a man. Restraint yes indeed but serious punishment?I don't think that's mentally healthy.Take care Ajahn.
Is retraining from any sexual activity medically healthy to do all your life..? Also if everyone was a monk that achieved enlightenment wouldn't that mean that there wouldn't be a next generation of humans to carry into the future..?
Helpful
very good comment !!!
Would be hell to be a pubescent monk.
What is the book I can read about the monk from the story? Can you direct me where to get it please?
Ajahn Brahm says, It's here to stay. Obviously with monks it's a different story. With ordinary people ordinary measures.
So how the differences between human being and other animal then?
I don't understand something about buddhism (on monks) on sexual desire (need's).... you guys teach us to be kind, to be kind to our body's....supressing body desires to have sex is not being kind to your body, it's sorta negative, being unkind more like to the body, "your temple"...having sex/masturbation is kindness to the body is it not ?
There's diversity among human being. Not everyone could enlightening in their life.
penance and 'guilt'? These are heavy hang-ups ... a rather odd way of dealing with it! By practising forgiveness, the sexual instinct also becomes becalmed .... :)
This is what I don't get about Buddhism. Sexual desire is a natural thing, like eating or drinking. I don't see why I should need to overcome it.
@fabianfred537 thank you, this helps. Seems so obvious as all truths do. Upon thinking of certain sexual images - past relations etc. - and applying your thought method I instantly see through the illusion. It's all image, but no matter how glamorous and seductive these images and ideas may seem upon thinking about it realistically I can see the lack of any substance in my desires and I can see how they have been allowed to manifest in my mind with the aid of delusion.
I greatly admire the Theravadan tradition, but its attitude towards sex strikes me as extreme and not practical for the modern world.