CONTINENCE - CHASTITY

 

(Received on 19 May 2002 after Esha)

 

 

 

The aim of continence is to try to seek God because it is a powerful medium of the goal of His realization. Chastity is the most beautiful flower of all human virtues. It needs very great restraint because chastity may be destroyed by even thinking an evil thought. Fruits remain fresh on the trees, but once they are plucked their freshness is destroyed. One may preserve them for sometime by placing them in a jar of honey. Similarly, chastity of a man or woman, once broken, can be protected only by devotion of a very high order. Such devotion has a protecting influence for the soul, just a honey has for plucked fruit. We are otherwise destroyed like a moth in the fire.

 

The aim of human life is not the production of children alone. Our main aim is to unite the soul with God. A person on the spiritual path should always have this goal in view. The relationship of man and wife after a certain age, say 40 or 50 years, should be discontinued.

 

You should always keep the company of pure and chaste persons. If you fail to get such company, meditate on the form of the Master with love and devotion. In this manner your inner impurities will gradually be washed out.