How to handle sexual assault
Namaskar
In
this grossly materialistic era, sexual content and display is at an
all-time high. There is a plethora of bare-skin and near-nudity on the
buses, in schools, on billboards, at the workplace, in parks, all over
the internet, and throughout the society. Even upstanding professionals,
dignitaries, and state representatives resort to dress that highlights
their sensuality and sexuality - especially females. Anyone who has been
out and about is quite familiar with this especially in western
countries and wherever materialism is in full force.
Radical action on sex offenders
Not
surprisingly, in this materialistic era, sexual crimes are also on the
rise - at alarming rates. All this has become a societal disease. And
the penalties for sexual crimes are quite severe. Sexual offenders are
branded for life and face harsh prison terms. That is why certain
convicts and/or potential convicts are interested in reducing and even
eliminating their sexual energy, because they do not trust themselves to
behave with integrity. To reduce their sentence and to ensure proper
conduct, such convicts may voluntarily resort to the elimination of
their sexual energy.
Then there is the other side of the story:
Many guilty of sexual crimes are repeat offenders. So state and justice
officials are exploring ways to reduce crime by curtailing offenders'
sexual energy. That is where things are at the present moment - and here
is what they are doing.
Two pathways toward castration
Across
the globe - in various states and countries - government officials are
offering voluntary (and involuntary) castration to those incarcerated as
part of their sentencing and / or in exchange for their early release
from prison. For the state officials this is a way to increase the
punishment, cut costs, and to relieve pressure on the overcrowded and
extremely expensive jail system; and, for offenders, it can be a way to
regain their freedom sooner, without having to worry about being tempted
to commit a similar crime.
To some then, this looks like a
win-win situation. The state gets what they want and the offender gets
what he wants. Toward this end, there are two basic pathways being
pursued by the state to control sexual energy: a) chemical castration
and b) surgical castration.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The big lie: those glands just related with sex
The
main myth at hand is that criminals and officials alike believe that by
controlling one's sexual energy - by any means, including chemical and
surgical castration - then one will overcome their sexual gland and
automatically develop a calm and balanced mental outlook.
This is
the myth they believe and propagate because they feel those glands are
solely related with sex. Baba's guideline reveals a much different
approach with a much different outcome. And that we are going to
explore. Let's first look at two other segments in society looking to
curtail their sexual energy / reproductive capacity.
Over the
centuries and today also, dogmatic monks from around the globe as well
as various Indian sannyasis have used high doses of myrobalan (haritaki)
or anise (saunf) as a means to overcome sexual desire. This high dosage
will dry up those sex glands making one impotent and sterile.
This
also is not an approach which Ananda Marga supports. Ananda Marga
philosophy advocates the channelization of sexual energy to spiritual
awakening, not the destruction of the sex organs. More about this is
expressed further down in this letter.
Birth control methods that deform the body
In
various nations, people commonly resort to the permanent destruction of
their reproductive organs as a means of birth control or family
planning: In women, tubal ligation; and in men, vasectomy. In this
process they physically disfigure, remove, or cut certain body parts.
Here again though, this is not an approach supported by Ananda Marga philosophy.
Ananda
Marga philosophy says, "Using birth control methods which deform the
bodies of men and women or destroy their reproductive powers forever
cannot be supported, because this may cause a violent mental reaction at
any moment." (1)
The point that is missed in all the above
circumstances is that our human bodies are far more subtle and involved
than people think. Whether they be of the general public, convicts,
dogmatic sannyasis or whomever, such persons who alter their sexual
function fail to understand the more subtle effects of the human
glandular system.
They think that the testes and ovaries are just
for sex - nothing more. When in fact these glands are part of a greater
system that provides energy to the brain and highly impacts one’s
mental, psychological, emotional and spiritual outlook.
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, "The essence of blood, when transformed,
becomes shukra, and this shukra is food for the brain. In the absence of
shukra, or in case of its impaired functioning, the entire constitution
may be impaired, the body may become susceptible to disease, and mental
and spiritual sa'dhana' may be impaired. Therefore, restraint is a must
for every man and woman, because only self-control helps achieve the
maximum preservation of shukra." (2)
When certain glands, like
the testes, are categorically destroyed or altered with drugs such that
they fail to operate properly, this adversely affects the production of
shukra, which is the food for the brain.
By removing sex glands human beings harmed
Verily,
by destroying or inhibiting the function of sexual glands, the human
personality loses so many good qualities. Because the sexual glands are
singularly responsible for attributes like rationality,
service-mindedness, benevolence and love for the Supreme.
Here
following are a series of Baba's teachings about the importance of those
sexual glands in the cultivation of a proper human personality. Below
Baba points out how the testes lead to a sense of responsibility and
dutifulness.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, 'If the secretion of
the testes glands is normal, a sense of dutifulness will be created in
the mind. A boy will be proud of the fact that he obeyed his father. But
if the boy was only three years old, he would not be able to feel a
sense of dutifulness." (3)
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "In
a male, if the testes are separated from the body, there will be
physical and psychological changes. The man will not die but he will
lose the sense of dutifulness and responsibility. All the qualities
associated with the testes, such as the sense of dutifulness and
responsibility, will be wanting." (4)
Conclusion: divert mind to higher faculties
Ananda
Marga teachings advance proper restraint in the sexual sphere - not any
of the aforementioned policies or procedures. Ananda Marga philosophy
does not support the destruction or alteration of the sex glands.
Rather, one should engage in physical practices and mental approaches
which help divert one towards higher faculties, not sexual engagement.
By adhering to a sentient diet, by regular fasting, by practicing
asanas, by doing kaoshikii and tandava, by following the proper bath and
half-bath systems, and by various other physical practices, we lay the
groundwork towards controlling one's sexual desire.
But the main
way to control sex is through the psychic realm. If one follows all the
above mandates but still actively harbors lustful things, the desire to
have sex and thinks dirty thoughts, one will not be successful in
controlling their sexual desire. The mental part is of utmost importance
- even more so than the physical, although both physical and psychic
practices are needed.
So the real control is mental. If we goad
the mind in a positive direction and follow Baba's mandate of "cakuna
samvaro...", then we will be in a proper flow to divert all one's
energies to the Supreme, not towards sex.
Simple rules
~ From Caryacarya Part 3 - General Health Rules ~
(1) Body and clothing must be kept neat and clean.
(2) After urinating, use water or cleanse yourself by some other means.
(3) Pay attention to the regular clearing of the bowels.
(4) Do not sleep on a soft bed.
(5)
When taking a bath, all parts of the body, in particular the armpits
and groin, should be cleaned properly. Soap, oil, and comb should be
used every day. The body hair should never be cut, especially in the
armpit and pubic region.
(6) Before morning and evening sádhaná, either do vyápaka shaoca or take full bath.
(7) Before and after meals, and before sleep, do vyápaka shaoca with cold water. If it is very cold, use lukewarm water.
(8) Drink a sufficient quantity of water every day, but do not drink too much at any one time.
(9) Sleeping during the day and staying awake at night are to be avoided.
(10) All intoxicants are támasika and are to be discarded like poison.
(1)
Immediately upon reaching adolescence (in India, one reaches
adolescence in between the ages of twelve and fourteen), males should
start using Kaopiina (laungot́á) and should pull back the foreskin of
the penis.
(2) The foreskin should be pulled back and the area washed and kept clean.
(3) Never indulge in bad practices, such as masturbation, etc.
~ From Caryacarya Part 3 - General Health Rules ~
Conclusion
Ananda
Marga ideology says, "“One must have restraint over one’s sensory and
motor organs.” “I must not see that object, that may pollute my mind. I
must not hear that sound, that may pollute my mind.” These are all
restraints over sensory and motor organs. Lord Buddha said, Cakkhuna'
sam'varo sa'dhu – “O sa'dhu, O spiritual aspirant, you should have
proper restraint over your eyes.”" (5)
Namaskar,
in Him,
Gagan
(George Springfield)
~ In-depth study ~
Development of rationality is the psychic effect
[
A ] In this below quote, Baba demonstrates how the proper functioning
of one's sex glands cultivates rationality, integrity and strength of
mind.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "If the testes are
over-active [highly active] and there is over-secretion [high secretion]
of hormones, a youth develops the spirit of rationality. The pubic hair
grows due to the activity of the testes. This is the physical effect.
The development of rationality is the psychic effect. The nervous system
will also be affected. If not hindered by the natural flow of the
lymphatic glands, over-secretion [high secretion] leads to the
development of hair in the arm pits at the age of fifteen to seventeen
in hot countries, and seventeen to eighteen in cold countries. Along
with this the feeling of rationality grows. For example, a boy may say,
“No, father, do not ask me to do that. It is not good.”" (6)
The boy will become very cruel
[ B ] Next Baba discusses how due to a defect in the functioning of the sex glands, one becomes mean-minded.
Ananda
Marga philosophy says, "If there is under-secretion of the testes
glands, there will be less hair; and if, at the same time, the sex
glands do not develop at the specified stage, the boy will become very
cruel. He may, for example, take a grasshopper and cut off its legs. You
may have seen such a boy at the age of thirteen, fourteen or fifteen:
he may be unsocial, he may not mix with others. This is due to the
under-secretion of hormones from the testes glands." (7)
Transform that longing into universalism
[
C ] Baba also points out how the greater secretion of the testes leads
to love for the Supreme. It is these glands which allow one to practice
and progress in sadhana. Without the proper functioning of these glands,
spiritual practice is impossible.
Ananda Marga philosophy says,
"In the case of ordinary secretion, sex longing is created. If there is
over-secretion [high secretion], a youth acquires the power to transform
that longing into universalism. In those of you who have a longing for
Parama Purus'a [Supreme Consciousness], an over-secretion [high
secretion] took place in your hormones between the ages of fifteen and
seventeen. At that stage the idea to become great comes into the mind."
(8)
[ D ] A lack of hormonal secretion by the testes leads to
staticity. The person will lack benevolence and courage, and will
therefore be prone to following dogma, not dharma.
Ananda Marga
philosophy says, "If there is under-secretion of the hormones of the
testes glands, a youth will develop less kindness, and less hair will
grow in the armpits and pubic region. If you see a man with these
physical characteristics, then and there you can come to a conclusion
about the extent of his kindness. Moreover, such a person will most
likely support dogma. He will not have the moral strength to protest
against dogma (including scriptural dogma), and he will not support a
new idea." (9)
Cutting will harm sadhana
[ E ] Baba discusses what happens when the organ is removed from the body. Among other things, sadhana is no longer possible.
Baba
says, “If the sex organ is cut off from the male body, what will be the
result? The man will not die, but the testes and kidneys will not be
able to function properly. There will, therefore, also be psychological
changes and no sex feeling." (10)
Thus, Ananda Marga ideology
does not support any of the aforementioned approaches in order to
control sex. AM does not support chemical castration, surgical
castration, the use of myrobalan or anise, nor does Ananda Marga
ideology support vasectomies etc. All of these will adversely affect the
human personality because those glands are needed for the positive
development of mind - not just sex.
Psycho-spiritual channelization
And
here Baba talks about our special system of psychic channelisation to
the spiritual realm. By this way one's sexual desire will be properly
controlled thereby allowing for a whole new outlook and deep
realisation.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Psychic urges must
not be objectified nor should they be suppressed; rather they must be
channelized towards the Supreme Desideratum through the proper
psycho-spiritual approach...With constant spiritual practice, the mind,
with its thousand propensities, becomes one-pointed and is goaded
towards the Supreme Singular Entity...This inner channelisation and
one-pointed conversion into psycho-spiritual pabulum brings about
radical changes in individual and collective life. The psycho-spiritual
approach makes a person deeply introversial, one-directional, strong and
dynamic...With the smooth, natural and progressive channelisation of
the psychic urges of the individual and collective mind towards the
Supreme Entity, psychic pabula will be converted into psychospiritual
pabulum. Then each person will be a sadvipra, and the whole society will
be a sadvipra sama'j – an A'nanda Pariva'ra. So the transformation of
psychic pabula into psycho-spiritual pabulum is the only panacea." (11)
Be sentient in mind and intellect
Baba
has graciously given the proper way to control sexual longing. Those
who resort to the destruction or alteration of their glands are only
inviting serious mental problems and they are essentially undermining
their spiritual inclination as well. Only through proper restraint can
one evolve into a truly sentient and spiritual being.
Ananda
Marga philosophy says, "Men should have proper control over the
conversion of lymph into semen. This is part of brahmacarya sa'dhana'
[meditation on the Supreme Entity]. Men should have proper control over
their bodies. Human beings should be sentient in food habits, mind and
intellect." (12)
Hypocrisy of pet owners
These
days - especially in the western world - pet owners spay (castrate)
their pets. Removing their reproductive power is the fashion of the day.
The hypocrisy is that such pet owners claim to be animal lovers, yet
they do not allow their pet to grow in a proper manner. And if you ask
them if they love their child, they will respond affirmatively. Then you
can ask them if they castrate their child and they will say, “No.” Such
is the extent of their hypocrisy. They claim to love both their pet and
their child, but one gets castrated and one does not. On the point of
neo-humanism all should take a moment to ponder this matter. An animal
should be able to grow and live as an animal and not as a doll. The sex
glands are vital for the proper health of every living being, including
pets.
Rise of sexual crimes are rampant
When
we think about those who wish to control their sexual energy we usually
think of monks & nuns, sadhakas, spiritual aspirants and
service-minded people. That is the typical picture that comes to mind.
Today, however, with the rise of sexual crimes, sexual predators and
state officials are also brainstorming and implementing their own ways
for how to control sexual power - in particular in males. We should all
be aware about these recent trends and see if they are in concert with
Baba's ideals. This is an emerging social issue that demands our
attention and know-how.
Some important glands
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, “Testes and ovaries: At around the age of
thirteen in hot countries and fifteen in cold countries, the testes and
ovaries develop due to the secretion of a special type of hormone.” (13)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, “In males the testes are the glands which
convert lymph into semen. As soon as lymph is converted into semen, the
nerves are affected and there is a corresponding change in one’s
thoughts. It is the pituitary gland which tells the testes to convert
lymph into semen [that is, testosterone and spermatic fluid]. When the
production of lymph goes beyond the capacity of the body to utilize it,
it is converted into semen and comes out of the body. Thus, sex desire
is created in the mind.” (14)
Ananda Marga philosophy states,
“If the testes function properly and if there is no hindrance from the
lymphatic glands, intelligence will develop. Without the testes, the
solar plexus will not be developed and intelligence will decrease.” (15)
Ananda
Marga philosophy states, “In the past many slaves were converted into
eunuchs – known as khojas in Persian. If the ovaries of a female or the
testes of a male are dissociated from the body, the person will become a
eunuch. In a male, if the testes are separated from the body, there
will be physical and psychological changes. The man will not die but he
will lose the sense of dutifulness and responsibility. All the qualities
associated with the testes, such as the sense of dutifulness and
responsibility, will be wanting. A eunuch will not be able to grow any
pubic hair or the pubic hairs will be few.” (16)
Ananda Marga
philosophy states, “Should the testes be cut off and a man made into a
eunuch? Can it be considered civilized? In some countries men were
changed into eunuchs, and as they did not have any sex feeling, they
were posted as security guards in the harems of the rulers. This is a
barbarous system and goes against fundamental human rights. It is
extremely bad.” (17)
References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 9, Population Growth and Control
2. Caryacarya - 3, Physical Restraint
3. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
4. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, How to Concentrate
6. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
7. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
8. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
9. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
10. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
11. A Few Problems Solved - 8, The Transformation of Psychic Pabula into Psycho-spiritual Pabulum
12. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
13. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
14. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
15. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
16. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
17. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Observations about fish-eaters
Here is an English summary of Baba’s teaching from in Bengali from Shabda Cayanika - 20, (Bangla), Disc #156:
Fish quarrel so much among themselves; they are quarrel mongers. They eat each other; they feel jealous towards one another; and, they also have the tendency to wander around aimlessly in an undisciplined, disorderly manner. Because fish have these negative qualities, the general public has long thought that those who eat fish become contaminated by these same defects. (English Summary)
Note: Amongst all of India, the most densely populated fish-eating area is Bengal. Baba says that the majority of the population of Bengal is kaevarta (fisherman community). Throughout Bengal, there are a huge number of lakes, ponds, rivers, and water sources; that is why fish flourish there. In Bengal fish are known as "water fruit". Except for very strict, devoted margiis - which are very few in number there - most of them like to eat fish.
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