celibacy

[Sacred Fool]

Matt, how would you define celibacy?

Not using the sexual energy. Be it in masturbation or sexual intercourse.

My understanding is that the goal of celibacy is not to not use sexual energy, but to use it at the level of the heart rather than at the level of the genitals. This way more energy is available to be focused on heart-to-heart communion.

Tantra is another matter. It's a so called left-handed pathway, that is, consciously maneuvering the gyroscopic forces of the lower energies through ritual and prayer to make them available for other purposes.

Western versions of this tend to be less disciplined, but also interesting.

In any of this, one should be very clear internally about ones goals and aspirations.