Meditation and Sex

What is ka'ma and what is spiritual practices?

If one's attachment is channelised towards any supra-psychic or spiritual object it may be called `prema' or `love'. But love in the physical and psychic spheres is called  `ka'ma' and not `prema'. Ka'ma occurs when one has an attachment to run after name, fame, education, intellect and so on.

Many people think that ka'ma means `sex', but this is not correct. This simple approach popularised by pseudo-cultural interpretations of the Kama Sutra is incorrect.   Ka'ma means the endeavour to obtain certain things in the physical and psychic levels. In contrast, bhakti (devotion) and prema (love) are only applicable in the case of  psychic and spiritual movement . 
 
Sex is everywhere – in the plant world, in the animal world, and – yes – of course in the human world too! It's natural. On that level it can be stated as the equivalent of the desire for Cosmic union  manifested in each unit being. As the Cosmic Consciousness abides in all things, so does the desire for union also abide in all things. But in the unit (microcosm), that  desire is in two forms: limited and unlimited; mundane as well as spiritual. 

This manifested world would not exist without sex. It's nature's “style” of creating diversity in the universe. So it's not something “bad” as such. It's just part of life.  Without it there would be no life – only death. 

Now, we've come to the stage in our evolution where we want to do spiritual practice. We may still have the desire for mundane union, but we have the desire for  Cosmic union too. (That's what spirituality means – the desire to unite with the Cosmic Entity).  So it's understandable that people may find themselves in a bit of a  dilemma, because we have two desires that seem contradictory – mundane as well as spiritual! 

Now regarding the fulfilment of those desires - limited and unlimited - it's true that we can't have both at the same time. Mundane union means limited happiness, and Cosmic union means unlimited happiness. Limited, unlimited – not the same thing! That's reflected in the biological aspect.  The yogis say that lymph is food for the brain, and lymph is also  what the sexual fluids are made of. Therefore, a proper approach is essential.  The more lymph you can save for your brain, the better will be your concentration and  spiritual ideation. 

So yes, there needs to be constraint in sexual practices to steady the mind for spiritual meditation.  One should never suppress tendencies.  Rather one should channelize  one's energy toward higher ideals.  In that way, ordinary desires are gradually transcended.  Even in the ordinary, it is essential to see the Divine - the act of God.  People  may find it very difficult to give up the mundane for the spiritual, until we get to a certain level of spiritual realization; of spiritual union. After all, we're accustomed to all things mundane – our physical survival has depended on it! 

So what are we to do? Everything in our lives should be in moderation.  The guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti said: “Regarding sex, the more restraint the better.” Moderate it.  In fact, everything in our lives should be in moderation. Everything should be at the right time, the right place, and in the right quantity. Try to channelize your desire for union inwardly as much as you can, but that doesn't mean you should suppress your other desires. Suppression causes psychic disease. Sex is a natural bodily function;  there's nothing wrong with it. But as with all things moderation is required. 

There are many practices that help to moderate the sexual impulse: vegetarian diet, yoga postures, half-bath, fasting, use of water after urination, etc. These are all useful  and important. The most important thing, though, is to do meditation. Without it we would lose the meaning of everything else. It is only the Cosmic perspective – the  Cosmic ideation – that gives our life purpose and direction. Mundane pleasure is not our goal – nor could it ever satisfy us even if it was. There is in all things a thirst for  limitlessness.  

We can only be completely satisfied with infinite pleasure, perfect peace and happiness – bliss. That's our goal. But while moving towards the goal there  are inevitably reactions to undergo, distractions, obstacles.  However, obstacles are friends on the spiritual path, as they assist in seeing what is appropriate and give  determination. If you can ignore distractions, great! That's the ideal. But if you can't, don't worry. Whatever you do, though, don't take your eyes off the Goal.