Foolish for 5 years
Question
I have been masturbating daily starting from the age of 19
years, but now I have realized the grave mistake which I was
committing. I am 24 years old now. I want to be a perfect
celibate until marriage. Can I attain self-realization even
after marriage? I am sort of depressed about the enormous
amount of vitality which I have lost during these years.
Please help.
Answer
Hello Amit,
Good to see your interest as regards to the practice of celibacy, coming to your query:
Q: Is it possible to progress in the path of self-realization and celibacy if one has indulged in sexual excess?
A: The best of the sperm are available in a normal man from the onset of puberty up to his twenties and early thirties. From then onwards the quality and power of his sperm start to deteriorate. The first signs of degeneration at the physical, mental and psychic levels further to wastage of semen are seen in the form of deteriorating eyesight, tendency to feel tired, aches in the neck and spine, irritability and a general sense of negativity etc..
Semen is the net sum of all health, strength, wellbeing and power within man. One who conserves and transmutes this great essence can achieve the impossible.
It is good that you have realized the dangers of masturbation and want to be a celibate till marriage. If you get into a life of celibacy in thought, word and deed and thereby transmute the vital power into divine energy or 'Ojas', it is possible to progress in the path of self-realization and bliss. To achieve the same it becomes necessary to completely stop all forms of masturbation and other sexual indulgences. If a celibate practices true and honest Brahmacharya, he can bring forth talented and virtuous offspring after marriage and get back into the practice of divine celibacy by which the doors of 'Mukti' or self-realization will start opening.
As the saying 'Better be late than never' goes, the past is history. We are totally helpless as regards to altering the happenings of our past. It is the future that is at our disposal. There is no need to fear or worry if you put in sincere efforts in the practice of Brahmacharya from now on and become a celibate. And yes one becomes very eligible to attain self-realization further to twelve years of absolute celibacy (without the wastage of vital essence)
The Chaandogya Upanishad says:- "Those who practice Brahmacharya attain to the abode of 'Brahman'(The creator), for by the practice of Brahmacharya alone does one understand the 'Atman'" (self/ soul)
You have your entire life ahead of you to achieve this noble objective, so worry not about the past but march ahead into the special journey called life armed with the shield of Brahmacharya :-)
May God bless you with success in attaining the knowledge of the self
Dhananjay