Why should the enlightened be asexual?

[MoonWater]

This concept was brought up in another thread and it's something i've never quite understood. We humans are very sexual by nature so i've never understood why lack of sex or lack of sexual attraction is so often seen as a requirment for enlightenment. Sure i know the idea is to seperate oneself from the physical or material world which would certainly be a good argument against the enlightened being swingers or having casual sex, but sex in the right context can be a very spiritual experience and it was often used in rituals in ancient days for that very reason. So anyways, do you feel asexuality is a prerequisite to being or reaching enlightenment? Why or why not?

 

[Sunstone]

I think it's absurd to believe that only asexual or sexually inactive people can be enlightened. That sounds to me like a path for people who cannot master their sexuality. And perhaps it is true that some people cannot do so, and must thus impose upon themselves sexual restrictions least they become distracted, to demonize sex as necessarily opposed to enlightenment strikes me as foolishness.

 

[dust1n]

I think Nietzsche got it... basically.

On Chasity, from Thus Spoke Zarathustra.

I love the forest. It is bad to live in cities: there, there are too many of the lustful.
Is it not better to fall into the hands of a murderer than into the dreams of a lustful woman?
And just look at these men: their eye saith it—they know nothing better on earth than to lie with a woman.
Filth is at the bottom of their souls; and alas! if their filth hath still spirit in it!
Would that ye were perfect—at least as animals! But to animals belongeth innocence.
Do I counsel you to slay your instincts? I counsel you to innocence in your instincts.
Do I counsel you to chastity? Chastity is a virtue with some, but with many almost a vice.
These are continent, to be sure: but doggish lust looketh enviously out of all that they do.
Even into the heights of their virtue and into their cold spirit doth this creature follow them, with its discord.
And how nicely can doggish lust beg for a piece of spirit, when a piece of flesh is denied it!
Ye love tragedies and all that breaketh the heart? But I am distrustful of your doggish lust.
Ye have too cruel eyes, and ye look wantonly towards the sufferers. Hath not your lust just disguised itself and taken the name of fellow-suffering?
And also this parable give I unto you: Not a few who meant to cast out their devil, went thereby into the swine themselves.
To whom chastity is difficult, it is to be dissuaded: lest it become the road to hell—to filth and lust of soul.
Do I speak of filthy things? That is not the worst thing for me to do.
Not when the truth is filthy, but when it is shallow, doth the discerning one go unwillingly into its waters.
Verily, there are chaste ones from their very nature; they are gentler of heart, and laugh better and oftener than you.
They laugh also at chastity, and ask: "What is chastity?
Is chastity not folly? But the folly came unto us, and not we unto it.
We offered that guest harbour and heart: now it dwelleth with us- let it stay as long as it will!"—
Thus spake Zarathustra.

 

[MoonWater]

I think it's absurd to believe that only asexual or sexually inactive people can be enlightened. That sounds to me like a path for people who cannot master their sexuality. And perhaps it is true that some people cannot do so, and must thus impose upon themselves sexual restrictions least they become distracted, to demonize sex as necessarily opposed to enlightenment strikes me as foolishness.

That's what i've always felt about the concept.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU189rHBIIQ

 

[Sha'irullah]

Well being an asexual I find those not bothered with sexual desire to be more trustworthy and enlightened because of their freedom. Asexuality does not imply the innability to acquire female company resulting in sexual intercourse.
It just means freedom from sexuality. I use the word freedom because any action that does not bring about benefit to the self is not worth doing. I receive no benefits from sex nor shall I the future.

Asexuality and enlightenment purely comes down to simplicity and freedom from debauchery.

 

[Secret Chief]

Rather tedious, but enlightenment has varying connotations.

 

[Twilight Hue]

This concept was brought up in another thread and it's something i've never quite understood. We humans are very sexual by nature so i've never understood why lack of sex or lack of sexual attraction is so often seen as a requirment for enlightenment. Sure i know the idea is to seperate oneself from the physical or material world which would certainly be a good argument against the enlightened being swingers or having casual sex, but sex in the right context can be a very spiritual experience and it was often used in rituals in ancient days for that very reason. So anyways, do you feel asexuality is a prerequisite to being or reaching enlightenment? Why or why not?

That dosent sound enlightening. Whatever it is.

 

[Madhuri]

Asexuality is a product of Enlightenment.
Sexuality is linked with lust. Lust is one part of our nature that controls us. And Enlightened person is not controlled by material nature. Lust does not affect them.

An Enlightened person generally experiences constant bliss and God-consciousness. Things like sex are so mundane as to not even be an attractive pursuit.

 

[MoonWater]

Asexuality is a product of Enlightenment.
Sexuality is linked with lust. Lust is one part of our nature that controls us. And Enlightened person is not controlled by material nature. Lust does not affect them.

An Enlightened person generally experiences constant bliss and God-consciousness. Things like sex are so mundane as to not even be an attractive pursuit.

Except sex is also linked with life and is what allows life to continue. This also assumes that one cannot use sex as an avenue to experience bliss and god-consciousness and assumes that god-consciousness is also asexual. Sex is not just the physical act or just the physical sensations. It creates life and can bring a person closer to their partner. It can be very spiritual and uplifting as well. To me sex is a beautiful expression of love and connection so i don't really see how reaching enlightenment would necesitate that one become asexual, unless you feel that the whole point of enlightenment is to become disconnected from everyone and everything,which is something that i would also disagree with. To me enlightenment is about acheiving ultimate wisdom and inner peace and while there are certainly ways in which sex CAN interfere with that i don't believe for an instant that it must always interfere.

 

[Ingledsva]

This concept was brought up in another thread and it's something i've never quite understood. We humans are very sexual by nature so i've never understood why lack of sex or lack of sexual attraction is so often seen as a requirment for enlightenment. Sure i know the idea is to seperate oneself from the physical or material world which would certainly be a good argument against the enlightened being swingers or having casual sex, but sex in the right context can be a very spiritual experience and it was often used in rituals in ancient days for that very reason. So anyways, do you feel asexuality is a prerequisite to being or reaching enlightenment? Why or why not?

Through most of recorded history it hasn't been.

Though it is probably a whole lot easier to contemplate life without family and kids screaming and pooping, and having to work to support them.

*

*

 

[Caladan]

This concept was brought up in another thread and it's something i've never quite understood. We humans are very sexual by nature so i've never understood why lack of sex or lack of sexual attraction is so often seen as a requirment for enlightenment. Sure i know the idea is to seperate oneself from the physical or material world which would certainly be a good argument against the enlightened being swingers or having casual sex, but sex in the right context can be a very spiritual experience and it was often used in rituals in ancient days for that very reason. So anyways, do you feel asexuality is a prerequisite to being or reaching enlightenment? Why or why not?

It simply goes to show that what some cultures and people consider 'Enlightenment' seems like a psychological disorder to others.
Biological life is a constant flow of sexual energy. We are sexual beings, and denying our very nature, at least to me is not going towards enlightenment but into denial.

We need to define what we mean by enlightenment. What 19th century Europeans called Enlightenment is not what eastern religions call it for example. I don't think that the spiritual enlightenment we are discussing here has a real monopoly on what enlightenment is which might as well be having a physically functioning life with a healthy sex life.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Denying one's self the pleasures and experiences of life is one of the most unenlightened ways one can live.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Denying one's self the pleasures and experiences of life is one of the most unenlightened ways one can live.

Says the guy who never talked to a woman and never realized she was naked .

Contentment doth not require sexuality or vulgarity in its acquisition

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Says the guy who never talked to a woman and never realized she was naked.

Says the guy who apparently has no idea what he's talking about.

Contentment doth not require sexuality or vulgarity in its acquisition

Nor did I make such a claim. Reading comprehension for the win.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Says the guy who apparently has no idea what he's talking about.

:biglaugh:. How can I not know what I am speaking about when it regards my own experiences?

Nor did I make such a claim. Reading comprehension for the win.

Denying one's self the pleasures and experiences of life is one of the most unenlightened ways one can live.

Reread please. If further needed then rereread.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

How can I not know what I am speaking about when it regards my own experiences?

Your response to me started with "says the guy who..." In normal communication, this would imply that what followed would refer to me. Again, reading comprehension for the win.

Reread please. If further needed then rereread.

Good advice that you might want to take. Again, reading comprehension for the win.

If you're having problems expressing and understanding written communication, I can point you in the direction of some resources to study and learn which can help to improve your communication and comprehension skills.

 

[Raban]

I think it is being above the desire for 'Sensual Pleasures'. I think a truly enlightened person may love an individual but have no desire to commit to sexual actions, or they may simply not love anyone or anything in the way one would a spouse. I think that one may have Sexual Intercourse simply for the act of reproduction, whilst still being Asexual. (As long as they are not having Sexual Intercourse simply to facilitate their sensual lusts)

 

[Revoltingest]

Being enlightened sounds boring....& a denial of being a human animal.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

Being enlightened sounds boring....& a denial of being a human animal.

I agree. If being asexual or only having sex for procreation purposes is a prerequisite to enlightenment, count me out. I love sex, hate kids, and still don't understand "love".