Some important physical aids to sublimation of urges including sexual urges.
Avoidance of Frontal Attack on the Senses — Fighting the
senses is an art. First the mind is to be raised to a higher mood by means of the
will and then the control of the senses can be accomplished by gradual and
measured restraint. Otherwise, violent physical and mental reactions may occur,
retarding or even stopping the process altogether.
Swami Turiyananda says: ‘Control of the senses is not to be
brought about by violent effort. Only by realizing Him it is perfectly
achieved. But at first one must struggle for this end. Afterwards it becomes
quite natural. Still one should never be overconfident. Just as an intelligent
hunter catches a deer and ties it up, so after succeeding in controlling the
organs one should be alert, and continue to hold the mind and organs in check.’
Giving up lustful gaze — which is closely related to curiosity
and desire — is particularly important. Swami Vivekanda says: ‘We must learn
how to turn the eyes inwards. The eagerness of the eyes to see outwards should
be restricted.’
Adjustment of Food Habits – Diet plays an important part in
brahmacharya or celibacy. Different kinds of foods have different effects on
the body and mind. The influence of food on brain cells, emotions, and passions
is remarkable. Generation of excess bodily energy ought to be avoided. If this
happens, the intake of food ought to be reduced for a few days.
It is especially important not to overload the stomach and
to always eat sparingly at night. It is also desirable to take only nutritious
and easily digestible food. Every individual must find out what food suits best
his or her psychophysical system.
Control of the Palate – Swami Turiyananda says: ‘All trouble
is over if the palate and sex impulse are conquered. When the palate is
controlled the sex impulse is also controlled. Unless the senses are brought
under control there cannot be any spiritual progress.’
A man who has controlled all other senses except the palate
is not to be considered a master of his senses. When the hankering of the
palate is controlled, everything else is controlled.
Regulation of Breathing – Simple rhythmic breathing goes a
long way in helping keep the mind calm and cheerful. Pranayama learnt from a
competent guru can also be a great aid.
External Cleanliness – Cleanliness is conducive to good
health, both physical as well as mental. Patanjali also mentions that ‘from the
practice of internal and external cleanliness there develops aversion towards
one’s own body as well as towards contact with other bodies’.
Canalization of the Basic Creative Urge – Performance of
activities related to the higher ideals of life are useful in positively
directing the basic creative urge inherent in every person. Otherwise, this
urge is likely to manifest itself in undesirable ways. Unselfish work, study of
scriptures or holy literature, and deep thinking on spiritual matters are
especially helpful in this regard.
Avoidance of Idle Talk – Says Swami Brahmananda: ‘If you
indulge in idle talk, your brain gets excited, you cannot control your
thoughts, and you suffer from sleeplessness and other troubles.’
Acharya Shankara also says: one of the first steps to yoga
is the control of speech.
Holy Company – Association with purehearted people, who
themselves have observed strict continence, has a profound influence on
struggling aspirants. The magnetic aura, the spiritual vibrations, and the
powerful thought-currents of developed adepts help to tune the minds of sincere
seekers practising brahmacharya. But to profit from holy company, the company
of immoral people should be strictly avoided. The company of people with
lustful desires is very harmful for brahmacharins. Not only people, but
anything that stimulates sexual impulses—sensuous pictures, books, films — are
to be avoided.
Avoidance of Intimacy with People of the Opposite Sex – Aspirants,
especially beginners, are advised to avoid the company of the opposite sex as
far as possible and never to interact intimately with them.
Practice of Yogic Asanas – Regular practice of selected yogic asanas are of considerable help in modulating the sexual impulse. Asanas are not only physical postures but spiritual disciplines as well. They help control the body, senses, and mind. Sound health is a great blessing.
Source - excerpts from article titled 'Brahmacharya and Its Practice' by Swami Yukteshananda published in the Prabuddha Bharata Magazine January 2010 issue.