Q: What are the passions?
M: They are the same force that is used in meditation, but diverted into other channels
.
Q: Isn't brahmacharya necessary?
M: Brahmacharya means 'living in Brahman". It has no connection with celibacy as is commonly understood. A real brahmachari finds bliss in Brahman, the same as Self.
Q: But isn't celibacy a requirement for yoga?
M: Yes, it is. It is one of many aids to realization.
Q: Isn't brahmacharya essential? Can a married person realize the Self?
M: Certainly! married or unmarried, a person can realize the Self because it is here and now. It is only a matter of the fitness of the mind. Have there not been people living with their spouse and family yet attaining realization?
Q: Is it better for reaching salvation to be married or celibate?
M: Whatever you think better. There is no difference. Thoughts must cease and reason disappear. Feeling is the prime factor in meditation, not reason. It ought to come at the right side of the chest, not in the head, because the Heart is there. It must be held tight.
Q: Is marriage a bar to spiritual progress?
M: The householder's life is not a bar, but householders must do their utmost to practice self-control. If a person has a strong desire for the higher life then sexual desire will drop away. When the mind is destroyed the other desires are also destroyed.
Q: How can we root out the sex idea?
M: By rooting out the false idea of the body being the Self. There is no sex in the Self. Be the real Self, then there will be no trouble with sex.
Q: Do you approve of sexual continence?
M:. A true brahmachari is one who dwells in Brahman. In that case there will be no question of desires any more.
If you understand the truth in nature, sexual desire will not arise at all. If you remove the sense of diversity, that which gives sex its power will also be removed.
Q: At Sri Aurobindo's Ashram there is a strict rule that married couples can live there on condition that they abstain from sexual intercourse.
M: What use is that? If it exists in the mind, what use is there in forcing people to abstain?
Conscious Immortality
M: They are the same force that is used in meditation, but diverted into other channels
.
Q: Isn't brahmacharya necessary?
M: Brahmacharya means 'living in Brahman". It has no connection with celibacy as is commonly understood. A real brahmachari finds bliss in Brahman, the same as Self.
Q: But isn't celibacy a requirement for yoga?
M: Yes, it is. It is one of many aids to realization.
Q: Isn't brahmacharya essential? Can a married person realize the Self?
M: Certainly! married or unmarried, a person can realize the Self because it is here and now. It is only a matter of the fitness of the mind. Have there not been people living with their spouse and family yet attaining realization?
Q: Is it better for reaching salvation to be married or celibate?
M: Whatever you think better. There is no difference. Thoughts must cease and reason disappear. Feeling is the prime factor in meditation, not reason. It ought to come at the right side of the chest, not in the head, because the Heart is there. It must be held tight.
Q: Is marriage a bar to spiritual progress?
M: The householder's life is not a bar, but householders must do their utmost to practice self-control. If a person has a strong desire for the higher life then sexual desire will drop away. When the mind is destroyed the other desires are also destroyed.
Q: How can we root out the sex idea?
M: By rooting out the false idea of the body being the Self. There is no sex in the Self. Be the real Self, then there will be no trouble with sex.
Q: Do you approve of sexual continence?
M:. A true brahmachari is one who dwells in Brahman. In that case there will be no question of desires any more.
If you understand the truth in nature, sexual desire will not arise at all. If you remove the sense of diversity, that which gives sex its power will also be removed.
Q: At Sri Aurobindo's Ashram there is a strict rule that married couples can live there on condition that they abstain from sexual intercourse.
M: What use is that? If it exists in the mind, what use is there in forcing people to abstain?
Conscious Immortality
