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arjunah
23 May 2011, 04:43 PM
I am unable to control my sexual drive. Is there anything specific I can do? I feel I also allow my eyesight to run wild. How can I work specifically on these two senses?

I currently do mostly Hatha Yoga but I enjoy reading discourses and writings on philosophy and yoga. I try to read the Satarudriya everyday and a chapter from the Bhagavad-Gita.


--edit

I read somewhere that certain deities are said to preside (thats the best I can put it from my [hopefully not for a 'long' time] individual knowledge) over our specific senses. Is this true?

arjunah
22 June 2011, 12:27 AM
I have been reading Chapter III of The Gita and not moving past like I did in the past. I read it 4 times a day prior to doing my breathing exercises and reading prayers.

I now have much more energy. I am having trouble sleeping at night. I find I do not need as much sleep as I once did but sometimes it is like my mind wants rest but my body doesn't. It is very hard to explain, and I will find myself pacing in my room at night sometimes feeling fits of rage.

Will this eventually subside?

---- edit

I guess this should be moved to the karma yoga section?

Mana
22 June 2011, 03:58 AM
Namasté arjunah

It sounds to me as though you should take a serious look at Raja Yoga. I highly recommend this paper by Swami Sivananda (http://www.dlshq.org/teachings/rajayoga.htm).

You must take regular physical exercise I personally recommend swimming as controlled breathing is necessary and one can separate from and watch ones own thoughts with great ease.

Yes it will subside, you must be very watchful that all elements of Raja yoga are followed.

The activity of you mind is there to make a change in your life you must remain wise and allow this to happen gently and in a guided fashion. Use your meditation time to watch your own thoughts as they play out that which your subconscious is trying to tell you.

Do not get carried away by your thoughts, you must try to keep grounded at this time.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU SLEEP REGULARLY.

Rage may happen if you slide in to a Tamasic state maybe due to frustration, lack of sleep may provoke this.

As for the sexual drive, don't worry about it but don't act on it either the sexual urges are from Rajas and can very easily get you in to all sorts of trouble! If you can maintain a Satvic state you can use this energy in other ways. Try to find a creative outlet, do you practise any arts?

Karma Yoga will suit you well once you can maintain a predominantly Satvic state.

With love.

Iain

arjunah
22 June 2011, 12:29 PM
Thank you for taking the time to reply and I appreciate your words.

When I feel rage or lust coming on I have lately been able to catch myself. When this happens I try to concentrate on my third eye chakra and I think of becoming one with Brahman and I believe it helps me greatly. I also think of what is taught in the Gita about the senses. Is this similar to Raja Yoga?

Your words about the activity of the mind have struck me deeply and I will try to remember them. I'm sure I will read over your words again and again.

I have taken to regular exercise the past 3 months. I do stretches for my hips and legs and back for an hour each day. They are stretches that are suppose to help one get into the lotus position correctly and comfortably. I also do a few body weight exercises after my stretches (Hindu Squats, a couple of abdominal work outs, and Hindu Pushups).

One thing I love is to golf and yesterday I did that. I slept much better last night. Maybe I need to do a little more physical activity than the stretching and the body weight exercises each day.

I enjoy literature so maybe I will start writing like I always have thoughts of in the back of my mind.

Thank you again I appreciate your time.

Mana
22 June 2011, 01:48 PM
I am honoured to be of assistance to you arjunah.

The Bhagavad Gita can light the fire of devotion in you, Raga Yoga as explained by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras is the science of inner knowlege which assists one on their spiritual path to keep that fire burning in the best way for you and those around you.

If you learn to observe and understand your thoughts and actions you will become aware of the rapid effects of both the Gunas and Karma on our actions and state of mind. With this you will be able to dispel your rage and take better direction. You will also be able to slow down that racing mind.

By exercise I had in mind something more aerobic such as swimming cycling or running. After the first 20mins or so we start to go in to an automatic meditative state. This will both get some of that energy moving and help you observe your thoughts.

Writing is a great idea.

Om Shanti

arjunah
22 June 2011, 02:38 PM
I find it awesome that you are saying to do more of a cardio workout as I was just speaking with my friend yesterday about how out of shape my heart is and how easily I get out of breath. I will try to take on those activities.

I have read through this http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/patanjali.html (only part 1) once before, and I just began again a couple of days ago.

Your post as re-assured me that I am on the right path. Thank you again and I hope the best for you.

yajvan
22 June 2011, 02:39 PM
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namasté

exercise is good and can bring balance. Regarding rage - look to your diet. Excessive caffeine and other stimulants contribute to active mind and to rago-guna.


praṇām

Mana
22 June 2011, 03:55 PM
Thank you yajvan.

I hope that you feel my sudgestions wise on these matters. You are so much more qualified than I to advise. Please don't hesitate if you feel that I have advised at all erroneously.

Iain

yajvan
23 June 2011, 10:21 AM
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namasté



Regarding rage - look to your diet.




I mention this because rage is fueled by excess pitta:

vāta represents and has the qualities of vayū. This vayū is associated with prāṇa; prāṇa we know as life force.
pitta represents agni ; agni is rooted in ag , fire; this fire is tejas which is fiery energy ,vital power
kapha is related to water and thus with ojas ; ojas is rooted is vaj and is vigor , energy. Yet I said this kapha is a principle of structure. We find this ojas throughout the body at the cellular ( structural ) levels we can just say bodily tissues. more can be found here - http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=6917

praṇām

AmIHindu
23 June 2011, 10:41 AM
Namaskar Arjunah,

I do not think I can give you advice but though in my opinion,

Add to your daily routine, Japa ( Chanting). We Hindus go to temple, do prayers at home but add Japa to your daily routine - morning and evening. This will bring peace to your mind. And do not pay attention to sexual urges, and anger. This happens to everyone but need to be under control. When you add Satva element, it brings Satva to your thinking. You will be able to bring under control your rage and other senses will also be root out. It will for sure will take time. Do Japa with proper Nistha - Devotion. Please use Japa mala in beginning, you may have difficulty in the beginning but do not quit.

arjunah
23 June 2011, 09:42 PM
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namasté

exercise is good and can bring balance. Regarding rage - look to your diet. Excessive caffeine and other stimulants contribute to active mind and to rago-guna.


praṇām



Maybe I should drink less green tea? I do not drink anything else but water. Sometimes I'll have a pop for a treat every once in a while.

Thank you for your advice.


Namaskar Arjunah,

I do not think I can give you advice but though in my opinion,

Add to your daily routine, Japa ( Chanting). We Hindus go to temple, do prayers at home but add Japa to your daily routine - morning and evening. This will bring peace to your mind. And do not pay attention to sexual urges, and anger. This happens to everyone but need to be under control. When you add Satva element, it brings Satva to your thinking. You will be able to bring under control your rage and other senses will also be root out. It will for sure will take time. Do Japa with proper Nistha - Devotion. Please use Japa mala in beginning, you may have difficulty in the beginning but do not quit.

What is Japa mala? I typed that term into a search engine. I am not familiar. Please elaborate if you don't mind.

AmIHindu
24 June 2011, 10:49 AM
Namaste arjunah,


Japa Mala is a string of beads to count mantra. It has 108 beads. Here is link for that. http://www.yogabasics.com/japamalabeads/mala-beads/full-malas/

Use full mala of 108 beads for japa mantra ( chanting). I prefer Sandalwood, Rudraksha, or Rosewood mala.

arjunah
24 June 2011, 12:12 PM
Thank you for the link, AmIHindu

They seem quite expensive. Is there a way I could make my own?

I am going to read through this:

http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/sadh/sadh_01.html

I didn't even know what sadhana meant before I found that text. I guess that will make my reading around here a little bit more beneficial :)

yajvan
24 June 2011, 12:13 PM
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namasté


Maybe I should drink less green tea? I do not drink anything else but water. Sometimes I'll have a pop for a treat every once in a while.

I do not know your body type... yet we do know that aggravated pitta will increase anger that may lead to rage.
So, what aggravates a pitta constitution ?

Signs of pitta imbalance ? take a look here : http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv-pitts-signs-of-aggravation.htm
What aggravates pitta , look here : http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv-pitta-food-plan.htm
More on body types here: http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv-basis-tri-dosha.htmKnowing your body type would be good.

praṇām

arjunah
24 June 2011, 02:32 PM
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namasté



I do not know your body type... yet we do know that aggravated pitta will increase anger that may lead to rage.
So, what aggravates a pitta constitution ?

Signs of pitta imbalance ? take a look here : http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv-pitts-signs-of-aggravation.htm
What aggravates pitta , look here : http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv-pitta-food-plan.htm
More on body types here: http://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv-basis-tri-dosha.htmKnowing your body type would be good.

praṇām


This is very interesting. I would say Pitta best describes the body I have control of, but also a little bit of Vata (fear, anxiety). Thank you so much for this link.

AmIHindu
24 June 2011, 03:10 PM
Namaste arjunah,


Thank you for the link, AmIHindu

They seem quite expensive. Is there a way I could make my own?

I am going to read through this:

http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/sadh/sadh_01.html

I didn't even know what sadhana meant before I found that text. I guess that will make my reading around here a little bit more beneficial :)Oh Its my mistake, forgive me for that. I gave you link just to show you the japa mala looks like, you do not have to buy from the same source. You can buy Japa mala from any Indian store in your town or you can buy from temple also. check with your local temples.

Link given by you is good but in my opinion it better you start with simple nam japa. If you get a chance start reading Ramayan, Mahabharat and Bhagwat Gita will help you to get devotion.

arjunah
25 June 2011, 11:15 AM
Namaste arjunah,

Oh Its my mistake, forgive me for that. I gave you link just to show you the japa mala looks like, you do not have to buy from the same source. You can buy Japa mala from any Indian store in your town or you can buy from temple also. check with your local temples.

Link given by you is good but in my opinion it better you start with simple nam japa. If you get a chance start reading Ramayan, Mahabharat and Bhagwat Gita will help you to get devotion.

I will not forgive as there is nothing to be forgiven!

I don't think there are Indian stores in my town. The closest temples are about an hour away. I see there are some cheaper ones on there as I looked around more. I just looked at one and saw $90.00 and my mouth dropped :eek:

I will check out on the web when I am ready to make a purchase. Thank you again.

c.smith
25 June 2011, 03:06 PM
Hari Om!

Although you may not aspire to Brahmacharya (though you may), the mini book "The Secret of Eternal Youth" by HDH Sant Sri Asaramji Bapu has been especially helpful to me in overcoming lust. It can be found at the following link.

http://hariomgroup.net/hariombooks/satsang/English/TheSecretOfEternalYouth.htm

Also, have you considered Moola Bandha and Tribandha Pranayama?

All the best in your ventures.

Om Namah Sivaya!

arjunah
25 June 2011, 08:53 PM
Hari Om!

Although you may not aspire to Brahmacharya (though you may), the mini book "The Secret of Eternal Youth" by HDH Sant Sri Asaramji Bapu has been especially helpful to me in overcoming lust. It can be found at the following link.

http://hariomgroup.net/hariombooks/satsang/English/TheSecretOfEternalYouth.htm

Also, have you considered Moola Bandha and Tribandha Pranayama?

All the best in your ventures.

Om Namah Sivaya!

Thank you for this. It is definitely something I will read in detail. I was browsing it over after dinner.

When I do my daily stretches (takes me about an hour), I have been concentrating on following my breath coming into my nostrils and all the way down into my root chakra where Ganesha is working hard to help me.

I do 20 Kumbhaka's 4 times a day. Alternating holding both nostrils. While I do this I usually concentrate on the bridge of my nose as I want to clear away all things that are impeding the air coming into my body. I compare these blockages to things I want in life and do not require.