In the Light of Truth

19. Does sexual continence further spiritual development?

There will be less unhappiness in the world, when man frees himself from his mistaken view regarding the virtue of sexual continence. Compulsory continence means defying nature, an offence which, later on, nature will repay with interest. In whichever direction we look, all the laws in Creation plainly indicate the right path. Suppression is unnatural, and all that is unnatural, is rebellion against Divine laws which, here as elsewhere, is to be avoided. There is no exception on this one point. Only man must not let himself be mastered by his sexual desire and must not make himself the slave to his instinct; otherwise he will develop it to a passion, whereby his natural, wholesome instinct will become a morbid vice. Man should be master of his instinct; that is to say he should not practise compulsory continence but exercise a wise control over himself, lest others should suffer through him. Many a man may think that by refraining from sexual intercourse, he is advancing spiritually, whereas it may easily be that a contrary effect is produced. According to his disposition, this man will be constantly struggling against his natural instinct. This struggle will claim a great part of his spiritual strength, paralysing it, so that it can do no other work. Hence the free development of his spiritual power is checked. He will at times suffer from fits of depression that will hinder all joyful uplifting of the spirit.

The physical body is a gift. God has entrusted it to man's care and he dare not neglect its needs, such as food, drink, rest, sleep, fresh air, exercise, etc. with impunity; neither may he toy with the craving for sexual intercourse (which is natural in a fully matured body), without doing mischief. Appeasing the natural cravings of the body furthers but never hinders the development of the spirit in the inner man, otherwise the Creator would not have given man this craving.

But take heed lest this craving be the result of the imagination, of enfeebled or overwrought nerves, excited by reading or by some other cause. It must be a question of the exigency of a healthy body, and this is by no means often the case.

Sexual intercourse is only permissible in cases where perfect spiritual harmony has existed between two persons of opposite sex, and who then sometimes seek carnal union as well.

All other reasons are dishonouring to both parties, are impure and immoral, even in wedlock. In cases where spiritual harmony does not exist, it is absolutely immoral to continue married life. And if the social code has as yet failed to find the right course in this matter, this deficiency in no way affects the action of nature's laws which will never adapt themselves to human rules or to conclusions based on wrong premises. If man honestly strives to have a sound mind and a healthy body, to enjoy “the peace that passeth all understanding”, he has no choice but to adapt his social and civic institutions to the Divine laws of nature.

Neither has sexual continence anything to do with chastity, as it is the result of discipline, education and self-control. Genuine chastity is purity of thought in every respect down to the business of every day life. Chastity is a purely spiritual and not a physical quality. In cases where purity of thought reigns on both sides, sexual intercourse is perfectly chaste.

Physical union not only serves to procreate but also furthers the equally valuable and necessary process of inner blending and exchanging of vibrations producing higher spiritual power.

[Grail Message by Abdrushin]  [Resonances to the Grail Message]