Ishwa helper Reged: 03/03/02 Posts: 553

Re: SEX, Cohabitation and Hinduism! [Re: WiseForumFool] #14076 - 03/28/02 04:58 AM Edit Reply Quote

This, WiseFoolForum/VJR, is a very difficult matter. It has to do with social values within communities. For some living with the opposite sex without being physical is okay, for others even being physical is okay. The basic question is why is sex such a hot item through the ages? I think primarily because the sexual power (Retas) is very much linked to mental power (Ojas). Distortions within the Retas give bad Ojas expression with power abuse in behavior. People very early saw this link between Retas and Ojas. And thus tried to suppress the Retas, being a very dangerous, almost uncontrollable force, stronger than the strongest emotion. It is a life force (Pravrtti). Especially paternalistic beings wanted to control that force, thinking that their protectiveness would be a good buffer. Behind protective motives is sometimes also some fear (for abuse). In Spirituality this Retas is not used for procreation or physical reunion, but for lifting it up (Uurdha-Retas) towards the pure Ojas within an individual being. So basically spiritual re-union can be achieved individually through Retas=>Uurdhva-Retas=>Ojas. This is the Shaiva path of the Individual meditation. (Yantra from yam=restraint) But re-union can also be achieved through partnership of two individuals. This is the Shakta way. (Tantra from tan=to stretch towards, making connection like a thread). Now what makes it very complicated is that we are dealing not only with Retas-Ojas, but also with human feelings. These feelings are not only socially but individually very complex due to all kinds of (written and unwritten, verbal and non-verbal) agreements on behavior. [communication coupled with territorial buffers] ......more later (Unfortunately I have to go now.