Reducing the tendency to masturbate

[Jack]

Hello,

I am looking to reduce my masturbation habit, but find it very difficult - I suppose being in my twenties with so many beautiful women in the city I live means I have a fair bit of testosterone and desire floating around.

It's probably once to twice a week on average. Realistically, I would like to bring this down to once or twice a month. Ideally, I would like to go a few months without any masturbation at all.

My current practice is 5 minutes Spinal Breathing, 15 minutes Mantra, then sometimes 5 minutes Samyama, 10-15 minutes rest.  At least once, and often twice per day.

I work out regularly (Yoga Asana classes and Crossfit classes).. my diet is fairly low on sugar/starch, medium fruit, fairly high meat/vegetables/eggs/nuts.

I am reluctant to change diet too much (it is supportive of my athletic endeavours).

I am more wondering - would it perhaps be worth looking at Siddahasana, or Mulabandha? Would these practices likely grant greater control/transmutation of the base sex desire? Are there any simple mental techniques/affirmations that might help influence the mind in a different direction?

Grateful for any answers.

[Dogboy]

Are you in siddahasana during DM now? Using mudlabanda now? Both are used for stimulating the root and transmuting energy up which is the direction you want to go and over time will ease the base desires.

Intention and desire will get you there too. I am glad to hear you don't wish to banish it all together as the sets you up for failure.  I'm many years older than you and still wrestle with the issue, but yoga allows me to use arousal as a spiritual tool for which I am grateful.

There is something to be said for cold showers too!  

[Jack]

I'm not currently practicing either mulabhanda or siddhasana.. perhaps I should start?  Eheh.. perhaps mulabhanda just during the SPB, and siddhasana for as long as comfortable?

The reason for ideally wanting several months free of masturbation is to help fully restore sexual function,   (see: yourbrainonporn.com )

[Bodhi Tree]

quote:Originally posted by Jack

I'm not currently practicing either mulabhanda or siddhasana.. perhaps I should start?  Eheh.. perhaps mulabhanda just during the SPB, and siddhasana for as long as comfortable?

I would say yes. It's helped me tremendously. The whole idea is to direct the primal desire upward--physically, energetically, ideologically. I haven't watched porn in several years, and kicking that habit/addiction has been essential in restoring clarity and ecstatic conductivity to my system.

What I'm craving lately is the essence more than the physicality. As Yogani says, the mind will go where the pleasure is. If the pleasure remains limited to physicality alone, the mind will stay there. If there is pleasure found in more refined sensations, the mind can expand.

[Jack]

OK, I'll introduce them today then brothers..

I sure have had some glimpses of what is possible, when on retreat, and also with the "Inner sensuality" sutra.. !

Thanks

[Dogboy]

I've followed some of your other posts, Jack, and sense you are stronger and ready for this. Good luck, brother, and keep us posted!

[Jack]

OK, I will indeed keep you all posted..  Thank you!

[Anima]

My prayers are with your efforts, Jack. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Jack]

Thank you for your prayers and well-wishes, they're appreciate... this has really been a struggle and sticking point for me, I want to be over this habit/addiction.

[Jack]

OK, so this is Day 9 of abstinence with mulabhanda and siddhasana during seated practices. It is a very hot mid-summer day today, there are many desirable women out and about! Its a bit overwhelming being outside

How does one work with these strong desires? I don't wish to cut myself off from my humanity, if anything I'm feeling more motivatedto go and meet a woman, but I have to be honest - feeling the desire and not acting on it does lead to red-hot frustration.. its that "hot" energy, generally.. how to cool it?

Cold showers?  I'm open to suggestions!

[Dogboy]

I identify with that energy; sometimes just a slight awareness at my nostrils amps up the arousal further, and swirls about my body, begging release. But I'm not trying to accomplish celibacy.

The idea behind a cold shower of course is to cool the hot sexual energy. Water itself is very feminine, so the symbolism implies a coupling of sorts, and provides a cooling of passion.  Think of it as an alchemical exercise!  

You don't always have the time or place for a shower, so under those randy circumstances, here's something to try:  It's called a cooling breath. Empty your lungs through your nostrils and inhale slowly through a curled tongue. The moisture on the tongue provides a cooling effect. I use this in my yin asana class when in the midst of a long hold, it seems to enhance stamina (my projection I'm sure).  Imagine the breath as a cold shower on-the-go!

You'll have to get creative if you truly don't want to give into temptation. Call on the Witness to observe these passionate feelings from a distance. Keep drawing passion up imagining it dispersing into your subtle bodies.  Have some fun talking to yourself in the mirror. You can be as funny or serious as you want, and takes you outside of yourself without going anywhere (a paradox!).

Basically think cool to counterbalance. Chew ice. Eat watermelon. Just don't lick ice cream or Popsicles, too sexual!  

[Dogboy]

According to Mantak Chia it is important not only to raise the energy up (fire) the spine, but also to disperse it down (water) the front. You can google "fire and water subtle body practices" and "microcosmic orbit".

[Jack]

Thank you for the suggestions, Dogboy. I caved last night after laying awake in bed for two hours. I'll incorporate these suggestions.. thank you.

[Dogboy]

Keep positive and try again if it's important to you. You will learn a lot about yourself along the way. I was spiritually ignorant in my twenties and cast my seed far and wide without a second thought. You are way ahead of the game whether you realize it or not.

My wife supports my meditation and yoga but still wants me to "finish" when we make love.  As she represents the Ultimate Goddess to me, and I am able to draw up at orgasm, my bliss energy remains unaffected in DM and everyday life. Now that my sexuality is intertwined with spiritual life I feel I am getting the best of all worlds.

Good luck to you Brother Jack!

[Jack]

This thread has become quite private but also really on a public forum.  I might ask Dogboy as you seem to be the main contributor if you might mind answering the occasional private message on the subject, instead of us posting more to this thread?

Thank you.