Yoga and Masturbation - yes or no?

[MM1988]

Should one abstain from masturbation when practicing kriya yoga?

I couldnt find a clear answer on the internet. 

 

[Jack Walter Leon]

Just don't jerk off everyday while watching porn, then everything is fine. Masturbation is a normal natural and especially relieving habit if it doesn't become an addiction.

[Jkris]

@MM1988 yes preserve the energy that's the typical traditional advice all yogis say. 

Don't give in to the urge it will just pass away. Once it becomes a habit of not indulging that craving will never come. 

[Sahil Pandit]

@MM1988 Keeping the energy is better for you, in the long run.

You can use that energy to awaken your kundalini or open up chakras higher up your spine. 

[kieranperez]

37 minutes ago, Sahil Pandit said:

@MM1988 Keeping the energy is better for you, in the long run.

You can use that energy to awaken your kundalini or open up chakras higher up your spine. 

Listen to this guy ^ on this subject

Edited April 2, 2019 by kieranperez

[Big Guru Balls]

Just don't do them at the same time. Could cause serious injury.

[Leo Gura]

Ideally not. But it's better to do both than not doing yoga at all.

Don't let perfectionism get in the way of growth.

If you are young and undeveloped you will not be able to not masturbate. You might as well try to stop peeing.

[FoxFoxFox]

@MM1988 It's a waste of energy and also might inhibit you from having enough intensity to do proper yoga. But theoretically it shouldn't be a hindrance. If you are aroused all the time you won't be able to focus on the work either.

[Aakash]

finally understand the advita trap :') there is no you masterbating, 

but when you are in identification then its psychologically taxing for you because one day you will have to give it up anyway, so better start now rather than later. but if you can't help it , don't feel to bad about it! 

[Girzo]

Maybe try semen retention. This way you both masturbate and don't waste bodily fluids. 

Here's a quick read on the topic: https://www.nateliason.com/blog/multiple-orgasms-men

Sorry if you are a woman, I have no advice then.

Edited April 2, 2019 by Girzo

[Nahm]

On 4/1/2019 at 0:49 PM, MM1988 said:

Should one abstain from masturbation when practicing kriya yoga?

I couldnt find a clear answer on the internet. 

 

What is your intention?     What do you want? 

[herghly]

19 hours ago, Leo Gura said:

Ideally not. But it's better to do both than not doing yoga at all.

Don't let perfectionism get in the way of growth.

If you are young and undeveloped you will not be able to not masturbate. You might as well try to stop peeing.

Why has your view changed?

I've read before you wrote masturbating is not a big deal, just don't watch porn or get addicted.

 

Do you now believe men should be practicing semen retention?

[DrewNows]

@herghly what really matters is your desire and intention 

[herghly]

@DrewNows yes, but what are the benefits to semen retention? Besides the discipline 

[SerpaeTetra]

Seems like you are thinking too hard (no pun)....just live in moderation and be present in the moment....How can one possibly have a peaceful mind when they are thinking of all the details of how to get a peaceful mind

[DrewNows]

1 minute ago, herghly said:

@DrewNows yes, but what are the benefits to semen retention? Besides the discipline 

No idea but discipline is great for learning your full potential. The benefits can be whatever you want them to be.

You see, anytime you masturbate or have the desire, ask yourself why. Maybe it’s because you are horny and need to release energy or maybe it has become a habit, an escape/distraction and you subtly feel there’s something lacking in your life. 

Personally, with a girlfriend there’s no interest in masturbation, but at the same time if I have found a really passionate goal to strive for and or found joy in productive activities then thought habits can be easily ignored 

[Leo Gura]

2 hours ago, herghly said:

Why has your view changed?

I've read before you wrote masturbating is not a big deal, just don't watch porn or get addicted.

 

Do you now believe men should be practicing semen retention?

My view has not really changed. Here we are talking about it in the context of a serious yogic practice designed to raise kundalini. Obviously it would be beneficial not to squander your 2nd chakra energy when you are trying to raise kundalini.

Ordinary people who are not trying to raise their kundalini can masturbate on occasion without much problem, as long as it doesn't become an addition that takes over your life.

You can even masutrbate and do Kriya yoga, it will just take you longer to raise kundalini.

[now is forever]

@Leo Gura what about tantra? sorry to ask but as far as i know kundalini and tantric practice doesn’t have to be separated. aren’t there even ways to use masturbation in a tantric sense - i also wonder if there is a difference between women and men. as i don’t think tantra can happen without a good connection to the own body and women often have a selfesteem problem (men sometimes, too, without knowing)  about their body in relation to sexuality. or is this only recommendable in higher stages of mastery? 

so i could understand if it is a distraction of raising kundalini energy - although this might only be a lilith in an eves dress offering an apple.

[Leo Gura]

@now is forever You're not going to awaken through sex. It's a cute idea but it doesn't work in practice.

[now is forever]

7 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

@now is forever You're not going to awaken through sex. It's a cute idea but it doesn't work in practice.

well, i never said that... i just said that kundalini and tantric practices are not necessarily counterproductive.