Jan. 15, 2026
Attaining Mastery Over the Sex-Impulse
reference: Sri Aurobindo, Bases of Yoga, Chapter 4, Desire — Food — Sex, pp. 75-76This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/attaining-mastery-over-the-sex-impulse/
Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are allavailable on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871
More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net
The US editions and links to e-book editions of SriAurobindo’s writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com
#Sri Aurobindo #yoga #integral yoga #sadhana #spirituality #sex impulse #Brahmacharya #celibacy
1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,200
As the spiritual seeker begins
to address the question of
2
00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:08,560
mastery over the sex impulse, he
becomes aware of the
3
00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:12,480
difficulties of tackling A
deeply embedded process that
4
00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:17,440
stretches back into the early
phases of animal evolution and
5
00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:21,320
thus has acquired a strong power
base within the being.
6
00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,520
This power base for the sexual
impulse includes long
7
00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:30,080
established response mechanisms
that trigger internal surges of
8
00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:34,640
certain hormones that direct the
reaction of the mind, the heart,
9
00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:38,000
the nervous system, the vital
and physical systems.
10
00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:41,880
Much of this response is
virtually automatic as the
11
00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:44,680
triggering mechanism is
activated in the being through
12
00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:49,400
the senses, by reception of
pheromones or directly by the
13
00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:53,240
mind itself.
As long as we are identified
14
00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:57,280
with the external mind, life,
body complex and the ego
15
00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:01,480
personality, we are subject to
the pressures of the sexual
16
00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:05,720
impulse and these automatic
triggered responses.
17
00:01:07,320 --> 00:01:10,920
The first attempts are generally
made by trying to use willpower
18
00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:16,240
to deny or suppress the impulse.
This generally fails as the
19
00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:19,840
instinctive behaviour is more
powerful than the mental will.
20
00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:24,160
Generally this leads to attempts
to deny the triggering
21
00:01:24,160 --> 00:01:28,600
activities, such as abandoning
life in the world for a quiet
22
00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:34,320
retreat in The Cave, the forest
or the monastery, generally with
23
00:01:34,320 --> 00:01:38,240
a separation of the genders to
avoid immediate pressure of
24
00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:42,640
sensual impressions.
This also is doomed to failure
25
00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:46,480
as it does not solve the problem
but simply avoids it.
26
00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:51,080
Then there are the attempts to
beat the nature into submission
27
00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:55,880
through some form of physical
austerity or even bodily torture
28
00:01:55,880 --> 00:02:01,200
such as self flagellation or
other painful means based in
29
00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:05,640
negative training that
associates pain with the rising
30
00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:08,800
of thoughts or impulses in this
direction.
31
00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:14,440
This type of operant
conditioning may succeed in the
32
00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:19,080
short term, but does not
actually solve the problem long
33
00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,720
term.
It can create serious negative
34
00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:25,280
consequences at a number of
levels in the being.
35
00:02:26,920 --> 00:02:30,920
Some people believe that by
restricting sensory stimuli, the
36
00:02:30,920 --> 00:02:35,320
sexual impulse can be avoided.
This is frequently been used to
37
00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:39,200
hide women from view through use
of visually obstructive clothing
38
00:02:39,640 --> 00:02:43,960
or through sequestration.
This essentially tries to shift
39
00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:47,880
the responsibility for the
rising of the sex impulse away
40
00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:51,400
from men and make the women the
cause of the problem.
41
00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:56,320
Similarly, these societies may
try to restrict expression,
42
00:02:56,720 --> 00:03:01,000
media and relationships,
separate the genders, and
43
00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,520
otherwise expect that by
suppression and denial of sense
44
00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:07,760
impressions the sexual impulse
is gone.
45
00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:13,200
This of course is not a solution
and in fact appears in many
46
00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:17,840
cases to make the societies
within which this occurs more
47
00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:21,680
sexually aggressive, as it is
simply another form of
48
00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:26,240
repression and does not go to
the root of the issue dealing
49
00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:30,680
with the underlying sexual
impulse at its basic level.
50
00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:36,520
Having reviewed what clearly has
not worked, it is time to look
51
00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,720
at other options for gaining
mastery over this impulse.
52
00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:44,840
The key to mastery over any of
the actions or responses of the
53
00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:49,320
external being is to shift the
standpoint away from living on
54
00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:53,160
the surface to that of the
witness of the nature.
55
00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:58,200
This allows the witness to view
the external impulses, pressures
56
00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:03,080
and reactions as something
external and therefore easier to
57
00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:07,160
manage than something that one
feels to be an integrated part
58
00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:11,520
of oneself.
One begin can begin to recognize
59
00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:15,840
the pressure from outside, such
as through the pervasive imagery
60
00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:20,240
that occurs in all the media and
in society at large, and the
61
00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:24,640
vital pressures of social
relationships that encourage
62
00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:28,640
sexual expression and the
pheromones released in one's
63
00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:33,280
proximity in a social setting
that can trigger these reactions
64
00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,000
and simply not let them take
over.
65
00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:38,320
The action of the mind, life or
body.
66
00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:43,480
As the witness consciousness
becomes established, its power
67
00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:47,800
to not just witness but master
the actions of the external
68
00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:50,240
mind, life, body, complex
increases.
69
00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:55,440
As the process develops, the
seeker can experience the relief
70
00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:59,880
of the pressure in the mind and
in the emotions more quickly
71
00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:03,000
than in the parts of the being
to which the sexual impulse is
72
00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,320
native, the vital and physical
aspects of the being.
73
00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:12,800
Eventually, however, as the
energy is redirected constantly,
74
00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:18,120
all parts of the being shift
their focus away from the sexual
75
00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:21,280
energy towards utilization of
that energy in other ways
76
00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:26,720
supportive of the sadhna.
This process can take some time,
77
00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:31,120
so it is important for the
secret to not become discouraged
78
00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:35,240
or give up the effort.
The pressure of the environment
79
00:05:35,840 --> 00:05:39,240
and any residual impulses
remaining in the subconscious
80
00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:43,520
parts of the being imply that
the seeker must remain vigilant
81
00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:49,120
and non reactive and at the same
time not become overly anxious
82
00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:52,040
about a rising of the impulse in
the dream state.
83
00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:56,560
For instance, if it is otherwise
successfully rejected in the
84
00:05:56,560 --> 00:06:00,920
active daily life.
Dreams can take up impressions
85
00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:04,560
not actively recognized or
responded to during the waking
86
00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:08,160
state.
In a hyper sexualized society,
87
00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:12,200
the impressions are constantly
being captured even if not
88
00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,960
attended to.
Even if they are rejected by the
89
00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:19,920
waking consciousness, they can
act to trigger dream responses
90
00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:25,440
until the embedded instincts and
trained behaviors are finally
91
00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:29,240
eliminated from all the vital
and physical nature in their
92
00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:33,560
entirety.
Trio Robindo writes quote.
93
00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:38,240
As for the method of mastery, it
cannot be done by physical
94
00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:42,080
abstinence alone.
It proceeds by a process of
95
00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,880
combined detachment and
rejection.
96
00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:49,880
The consciousness stands back
from the sex impulse, feels it
97
00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:54,960
as not its own, as something
alien thrown on it by its nature
98
00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:59,520
force, to which it refuses
assent or identification.
99
00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:03,720
Each time a certain movement of
rejection throws it more and
100
00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:07,360
more outward, the mind remains
unaffected.
101
00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:11,680
After a time, the vital being,
which is the chief support,
102
00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:14,320
withdraws from it In the same
way.
103
00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:18,400
Finally, the physical
consciousness no longer supports
104
00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:21,480
it.
This process continues until
105
00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:25,960
even the subconscious can no
longer rouse it up in dream, and
106
00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:29,280
no further movement comes from
the outer nature force to
107
00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:34,600
rekindle this lower fire.
This is the course when the sex
108
00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:39,400
propensity sticks obstinately,
but there are some who can
109
00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:43,880
eliminate it decisively by a
swift radical dropping away from
110
00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:47,400
the nature.
That, however, is more rare.
111
00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:52,080
It has to be said that the total
elimination of the sex impulse
112
00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:55,840
is one of the most difficult
things in sadhana, and one must
113
00:07:55,840 --> 00:08:00,880
be prepared for it to take time.
But its total disappearance has
114
00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:04,920
been achieved, and a practical
liberation crossed only by
115
00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:08,880
occasional dream movements from
the subconscious is fairly
116
00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:12,880
common.
End Quote reference.
117
00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:19,400
Sri Aurobindo, Faces of Yoga,
Chapter 4 Desire Food, Sex,
118
00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:22,320
pages 75 to 76.
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,200
As the spiritual seeker begins
to address the question of
2
00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:08,560
mastery over the sex impulse, he
becomes aware of the
3
00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:12,480
difficulties of tackling A
deeply embedded process that
4
00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:17,440
stretches back into the early
phases of animal evolution and
5
00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:21,320
thus has acquired a strong power
base within the being.
6
00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,520
This power base for the sexual
impulse includes long
7
00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:30,080
established response mechanisms
that trigger internal surges of
8
00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:34,640
certain hormones that direct the
reaction of the mind, the heart,
9
00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:38,000
the nervous system, the vital
and physical systems.
10
00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:41,880
Much of this response is
virtually automatic as the
11
00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:44,680
triggering mechanism is
activated in the being through
12
00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:49,400
the senses, by reception of
pheromones or directly by the
13
00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:53,240
mind itself.
As long as we are identified
14
00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:57,280
with the external mind, life,
body complex and the ego
15
00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:01,480
personality, we are subject to
the pressures of the sexual
16
00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:05,720
impulse and these automatic
triggered responses.
17
00:01:07,320 --> 00:01:10,920
The first attempts are generally
made by trying to use willpower
18
00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:16,240
to deny or suppress the impulse.
This generally fails as the
19
00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:19,840
instinctive behaviour is more
powerful than the mental will.
20
00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:24,160
Generally this leads to attempts
to deny the triggering
21
00:01:24,160 --> 00:01:28,600
activities, such as abandoning
life in the world for a quiet
22
00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:34,320
retreat in The Cave, the forest
or the monastery, generally with
23
00:01:34,320 --> 00:01:38,240
a separation of the genders to
avoid immediate pressure of
24
00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:42,640
sensual impressions.
This also is doomed to failure
25
00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:46,480
as it does not solve the problem
but simply avoids it.
26
00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:51,080
Then there are the attempts to
beat the nature into submission
27
00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:55,880
through some form of physical
austerity or even bodily torture
28
00:01:55,880 --> 00:02:01,200
such as self flagellation or
other painful means based in
29
00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:05,640
negative training that
associates pain with the rising
30
00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:08,800
of thoughts or impulses in this
direction.
31
00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:14,440
This type of operant
conditioning may succeed in the
32
00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:19,080
short term, but does not
actually solve the problem long
33
00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,720
term.
It can create serious negative
34
00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:25,280
consequences at a number of
levels in the being.
35
00:02:26,920 --> 00:02:30,920
Some people believe that by
restricting sensory stimuli, the
36
00:02:30,920 --> 00:02:35,320
sexual impulse can be avoided.
This is frequently been used to
37
00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:39,200
hide women from view through use
of visually obstructive clothing
38
00:02:39,640 --> 00:02:43,960
or through sequestration.
This essentially tries to shift
39
00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:47,880
the responsibility for the
rising of the sex impulse away
40
00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:51,400
from men and make the women the
cause of the problem.
41
00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:56,320
Similarly, these societies may
try to restrict expression,
42
00:02:56,720 --> 00:03:01,000
media and relationships,
separate the genders, and
43
00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,520
otherwise expect that by
suppression and denial of sense
44
00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:07,760
impressions the sexual impulse
is gone.
45
00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:13,200
This of course is not a solution
and in fact appears in many
46
00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:17,840
cases to make the societies
within which this occurs more
47
00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:21,680
sexually aggressive, as it is
simply another form of
48
00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:26,240
repression and does not go to
the root of the issue dealing
49
00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:30,680
with the underlying sexual
impulse at its basic level.
50
00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:36,520
Having reviewed what clearly has
not worked, it is time to look
51
00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,720
at other options for gaining
mastery over this impulse.
52
00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:44,840
The key to mastery over any of
the actions or responses of the
53
00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:49,320
external being is to shift the
standpoint away from living on
54
00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:53,160
the surface to that of the
witness of the nature.
55
00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:58,200
This allows the witness to view
the external impulses, pressures
56
00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:03,080
and reactions as something
external and therefore easier to
57
00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:07,160
manage than something that one
feels to be an integrated part
58
00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:11,520
of oneself.
One begin can begin to recognize
59
00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:15,840
the pressure from outside, such
as through the pervasive imagery
60
00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:20,240
that occurs in all the media and
in society at large, and the
61
00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:24,640
vital pressures of social
relationships that encourage
62
00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:28,640
sexual expression and the
pheromones released in one's
63
00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:33,280
proximity in a social setting
that can trigger these reactions
64
00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,000
and simply not let them take
over.
65
00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:38,320
The action of the mind, life or
body.
66
00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:43,480
As the witness consciousness
becomes established, its power
67
00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:47,800
to not just witness but master
the actions of the external
68
00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:50,240
mind, life, body, complex
increases.
69
00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:55,440
As the process develops, the
seeker can experience the relief
70
00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:59,880
of the pressure in the mind and
in the emotions more quickly
71
00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:03,000
than in the parts of the being
to which the sexual impulse is
72
00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,320
native, the vital and physical
aspects of the being.
73
00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:12,800
Eventually, however, as the
energy is redirected constantly,
74
00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:18,120
all parts of the being shift
their focus away from the sexual
75
00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:21,280
energy towards utilization of
that energy in other ways
76
00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:26,720
supportive of the sadhna.
This process can take some time,
77
00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:31,120
so it is important for the
secret to not become discouraged
78
00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:35,240
or give up the effort.
The pressure of the environment
79
00:05:35,840 --> 00:05:39,240
and any residual impulses
remaining in the subconscious
80
00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:43,520
parts of the being imply that
the seeker must remain vigilant
81
00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:49,120
and non reactive and at the same
time not become overly anxious
82
00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:52,040
about a rising of the impulse in
the dream state.
83
00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:56,560
For instance, if it is otherwise
successfully rejected in the
84
00:05:56,560 --> 00:06:00,920
active daily life.
Dreams can take up impressions
85
00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:04,560
not actively recognized or
responded to during the waking
86
00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:08,160
state.
In a hyper sexualized society,
87
00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:12,200
the impressions are constantly
being captured even if not
88
00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,960
attended to.
Even if they are rejected by the
89
00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:19,920
waking consciousness, they can
act to trigger dream responses
90
00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:25,440
until the embedded instincts and
trained behaviors are finally
91
00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:29,240
eliminated from all the vital
and physical nature in their
92
00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:33,560
entirety.
Trio Robindo writes quote.
93
00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:38,240
As for the method of mastery, it
cannot be done by physical
94
00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:42,080
abstinence alone.
It proceeds by a process of
95
00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,880
combined detachment and
rejection.
96
00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:49,880
The consciousness stands back
from the sex impulse, feels it
97
00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:54,960
as not its own, as something
alien thrown on it by its nature
98
00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:59,520
force, to which it refuses
assent or identification.
99
00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:03,720
Each time a certain movement of
rejection throws it more and
100
00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:07,360
more outward, the mind remains
unaffected.
101
00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:11,680
After a time, the vital being,
which is the chief support,
102
00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:14,320
withdraws from it In the same
way.
103
00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:18,400
Finally, the physical
consciousness no longer supports
104
00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:21,480
it.
This process continues until
105
00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:25,960
even the subconscious can no
longer rouse it up in dream, and
106
00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:29,280
no further movement comes from
the outer nature force to
107
00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:34,600
rekindle this lower fire.
This is the course when the sex
108
00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:39,400
propensity sticks obstinately,
but there are some who can
109
00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:43,880
eliminate it decisively by a
swift radical dropping away from
110
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the nature.
That, however, is more rare.
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It has to be said that the total
elimination of the sex impulse
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is one of the most difficult
things in sadhana, and one must
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be prepared for it to take time.
But its total disappearance has
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been achieved, and a practical
liberation crossed only by
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occasional dream movements from
the subconscious is fairly
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common.
End Quote reference.
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Sri Aurobindo, Faces of Yoga,
Chapter 4 Desire Food, Sex,
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pages 75 to 76.
