How do i overcome 'lust' thoughts?

last SG · 2007-07-16T01:00:40+00:00

Sorry, but I am quoting from conventional truths.

Xprobe SG

by communicating the meaning of the scriptures in today’s language and form? thats a start

WiNtEr'SkiLL SG

nice Very Happy

potstop163 SG

I kind of hav the same problem, not just `lust` thoughts,also trying to keep myself to be good.Its always 1 step foward 3 steps backwards.

Xprobe SG

this is exactly why u are a man today, u might think that this is nothing new, but it is an important first step to your eventual awakening, congratulations! Keep dwelling on this and it will bring u on a journey

oldkid SG

Reading scriptures does help. It will also depends on the type of scriptures one reads. It is best to find scriptures that are related to the problems you are facing. And while looking for the scriptures that you had identified, try finding those with Commentaries. Commentaries are written by monks who help laypersons (none-monks, householders, lay practitioner) to understand the basic meanings of the scriptures.

Of course you will find many Dharma words, terms and such that you might not understand. You can definitely post your questions here and ask the good advisors here.

My personal experience is rather interesting. Also having the same problem in the beginning, I tried reading scriptures. Funny is that the Sutra is so chim and I don't understand but I already forgotten about lust! Mr. Green Of course it is only temporary. But if you ae hardworking enough to train yourself to read something not related to lust such as Sutra or a thick physics tectbook, it will reduce your lust level.

Also try not to excite your senses.

Beyond Religion SG

My method is to visualize the object of my lust in fifty years time. Instead of seeing the curvy smooth form of a beautiful young women, I will see a wrinkled saggy body, riddled with pains and illnesses… Guaranteed stopper to any lustful thoughts! Plus, this technique also reminds me of impermanence.

Xprobe SG

BR, thats a good method, although i am skeptical about its effectiveness when she is right in front of you, saying and doing all the right things which get you juices going, can you still visualize?

Beyond Religion SG

Well, my method works if I harbour lustful thoughts for a women, but to be honest, I haven't been put through a situation where some women deliberately tries to seduce me. So to be frank, I don't know if such a method will work under this circumstance.

In the situation of a deliberate seduction, I may have to use another method... Think of my wife! If I allow myself to be seduced by a women, I will never again be able to look my wife in the eyes and tell her I love her, and I will never be able to enjoy my wife's tender love (these kind of things means alot to me).

Herzog_Zwei SG

Waste of time... Just might as well go for a lobotomy....

An Eternal Now SG

1) It is not a waste of time because the main purpose of eradicating the fetter of sexual attraction is not just to eradicate the symptoms of it, but to remove the fundamental fetter and mental defilement of it, and thereby attain liberation.

2) For obvious reasons it is no good to harbour thoughts of adultery (means someone outside your partner).

3) Nobody wants to do lobotomy, secondly it's not feasible, thirdly its dangerous.

Herzog_Zwei SG

It is a waste of time because the only perfect prevention from having lust is to remove portions of the human brain which controls sexual thoughts. There is no such thing as removing the fetter without removing the cause which is the human brain.

Xprobe SG

thus it is not the technique that is important, it is the insight of why u are reacting to certain external karma as well as the truth of the matter, isnt it?

oldkid SG

Agree, the fundermental fetter and mental defilement of it can be removed. Lobotomy is not a perfect as it does not completely eradicate the problem. And there is no such surgery to remove part of the brain that controls sexual desires. Even if the portion of the brain is identified, it will be difficult to remove with great risk on the patient.

Beyond Religion SG

Yes, but technique as a tool of implementation also has a role to play. For example, a habitual wife-beater knows that his actions are wrong, and that everytime he hits his wife he will feel bad afterwards and regret his deeds. But at the moment of his rage he cannot control his temper.

He will have to use certain technique of cultivation (eg minefulness and loving-kindness meditation) to subject his actions to his will.

Xprobe SG

what programs the brain?

Herzog_Zwei SG

There is such a surgery to remove human sexual desire but it also removes much of the human character with it. Lobotomy completely eradicates the problem from the root cause which is the intrinsic human character. Lobotomy technically becomes an all or nothing deal which does involve great risks but very much the greater reward in preventing lust. In other words, what AEN is suggesting is not a perfect prevention from having lust.

Herzog_Zwei SG

Naturally, the human brain can be said as a self-propagating algorightm. Mr. Green

Herzog_Zwei SG

But are you sure that cultivation techniques will work everytime and any time?

Xprobe SG

as a self-propagating algorightm, it can be guided to propagte away from greed-lust, cant it? no need to employ a crude method of physical removal

Xprobe SG

uh-ha...we are getting to the root of the matter, what determines the effectiveness of cultivation?

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