Rugby and Chastity;

While it is always a good idea to keep in touch with a sport or some form of exercise on a regular basis, the achievement of advanced states of meditation, so necessary to reach the state of enlightenment requires the following:

1. A decrease in physical awareness and consciousness pertaining to ones body, achieved through transfer of consciousness from the physical to the mental, causal levels and finally the Âtmic levels.
2. A reduction and finally the annihilation of one's ego and Consciousness of the lower self. (the opposite of this occurs further to partaking in aggressive sports/muscle building and other gross forms of physical culture)

As one progresses in the path of spirituality and thereby begins to achieve deeper and more tranquil states of meditation, there is a natural urge to stay longer in these states and detach oneself from anything physical which then appears crude and gross. Prâna within the body focuses more on the spine and brain and less on the muscles. There is a natural tendency to be calm and non-aggressive. One naturally becomes serene, peaceful and more content with oneself; for one starts getting closer to the true self - Âtman both during and after meditation. It becomes difficult to become angry, dominant or aggressive even in the most trying of situations. And if one does forcibly turn to aggression, there is a deep sense of unhappiness and discomfort as an aftermath. Rugby, being a forceful and aggressive game, a true meditator might not find it very relishing and enjoyable. Especially from the aggressive and forceful nature of the game.

Keeping all these facts in mind, it would be a good idea to strike a via media between the two. One could probably keep in touch with the sport once or twice a week for the benefits to the body at the physical level. It would be a good idea to limit the sport as a means of physical culture and rejuvenation and not pursue it at a competition/professional level. As you may well know, the energy within a person in the normal state is limited. It cannot be harnessed to the zenith at both the physical and spiritual levels simultaneously. One has to choose any one over the other. While physical activity is no doubt good, it is not the end. It cannot be made into the aim of life and nor can it supply benefits beyond the body and lower mind levels. Physical exercise/sport is however necessary to keep this physical medium called the body fit and free from disease, so one can make use of the body to achieve unhindered meditation. So setting aside an hour or two for the sport once or twice a week and focusing on meditation the rest of the time would probably amount to getting the best of both worlds.

ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)