Is there a way to 'deactivate' our lust?

1. 81

   phillippeengelposted 11 years ago

   Is there a way to 'deactivate' our lust?
   
   How can we be chaste forever? How can we not be aroused by attractive people? Is there a way to have no sexual inclination?

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2. 39

   ChristinSposted 11 years ago

   No and to suppress normal and natural sexual desires is unhealthy.  "What you resist persists".  I think that it is unnatural to repress ones sexuality because it can lead to psychological and emotional problems.  That doesn't mean one has to act on the feelings or become careless, but sexuality is very natural and normal.  It is a part of life.  Like anything else it can be abused, but I think people need to be less sexually repressed, not moreso.  All one needs to do is look at societies where sex is so demonized and all the problems those societies have (parts of the middle east with women covered head to toe and who are executed for alleged adultery etc) This is under the guise of a highly moral and chaste society - but guess what? Sex still happens because their population is still growing .  You cannot rid yourself of a natural inclination - but you can be responsible about it. 
   
   Here in the west we have another problem that comes from making sex "taboo" and "dirty" - Now, everything is blatantly oversexualized to tantalize people.  Look at most of our advertising for proof of this.   This is also an unhealthy approach to our sexuality.  If sex was treated as natural and healthy, that type of manipulation would be much less effective.

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3. 0

   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   I don't think so. It is a natural emotion that we feel. We can' shut it off no more than we can from being sad, depressed, happy, etc. We can change our thought pattern at that moment and try to concentrate on something else. I think the main component is to just turn your head and think of something else.

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4. 92

   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   I think those who's sexual needs are taken care of have no need to lust. There is a huge difference between admiring beauty and lusting. If someone is sexually turned on by every beauty seen then there is an issue there that needs resolved.

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   1. 92

      peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      HAHA someone with no life strikes again! Seriously people get a life or at least learn how to read so you'll know what the voting is actually for!

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   2. 0

      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I TOTALLY agree with you peeples!!!!

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5. 84

   SidKempposted 11 years ago

   Let's take this in two parts. Can we choose, in spite of sexual inclinations and desires, to be chaste, and do it without self-repression. I would say, yes, but it is not easy. Eliminating self-repression through self-awareness is a tremendous challenge - I've been at it for 30 years.
   
   Now, is it possible to truly eliminate sexual inclination, to not even have some arousal appear? If so, it is very rare. Gandhi, I think, got there after more than 30 years of celibacy.
   
   True spiritual celibacy is possible, but it is a matter of self-awareness and self-control, free of repression. It is a matter of giving up attachments, and also of learning to work skillfully with one's energy.
   
   I'm still at it, myself!

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   1. 71

      Darrell Robertsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very thoughtful and insightful answer thanks.

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6. 60

   alvairsposted 11 years ago

   I don't think we can deactivate sexuality, it is a part of who we are as a people, we are sexual beings, but it is up to us to control who we have lust for.

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7. 71

   Darrell Robertsposted 11 years ago

   Funny I see this question today of all days.  I was thinking this same thing.  Well here is the answer that I have to give according to the scriptures that I study.  The answer is yes there is a way to deactivate our lust and be chaste forever. 
   
   Fro studying the Vedas (Ancient Indian Scriptures).  I learned that if you sincerely want to stop lusting then you have to find something to desire that is more important, and that is the spiritual process of pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead Vishnu or Krishna.  You have to be absorbed in working on applying spiritual knowledge and ask for help from Godhead.  This is part of the mental purification process.  (I am working on it).
   
   We chant the Maha Mantra (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) to help deliver our minds from the material attachments that we lust after in this world.  We also chant to ask the Lord to engage us in His service.  Maha=great man=mind tra= to deliver, so it is the great chant to deliver the mind.
   
   We are supposed to chant as much as possible and read scripture and apply the teaching.  I am not saying this is easy at all.  However, when I am chanting properly in the correct frame of mind, I am so absorbed in the chanting that at that point lustful thought are far away from my mind. 
   Mastering the mind is the key.  Keep in mind it must be sincere or all you are doing is kidding yourself.
   
   Best wishes.

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8. 60

   hollyteeposted 11 years ago

   I don't think it's possible. You can't just shut it off, but you can control yourself. Casual sex in all ages is pretty normal now, but I think that's because everyone likes to use the excuse 'it just happened' 'I couldn't control myself.' Or now you have that whole silly YOLO thing going around.
   I've talked with my boyfriend about lust, and you really can't help but find someone attractive. I'm straight, but there are girls out there that I'm \like, wow, she's hot. And I'm sure sometimes everyone thinks what sex might be like with a person they find attractive, but doesn't mean it has to be acted on.
   Self control is part of what we think makes the human race so inferior, but I don't think when it comes to lust especially, that it's well practiced.
   And actually it's probably true for some people to lust more when they aren't being sexual pleased in their relationship. (Not that it is ever okay to cheat, I'm biased on this matter.) But for a lot of people sex is a vital part in a relationship and if it's something their partner isn't sharing with them, they may entertain some other thoughts. Whether they act on those or not.

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9. 76

   ginjill ashberryposted 11 years ago

   Sexual inclination is a natural part of our body. When one gets aroused by attraction; that is called lust. A physical inclination to to enjoy someone we find attraction with or lust over and you don't need to like or have any feelings towards the person.
   
   One can changed their mindset by 'de' and 're' programming their approach towards someone by having the attitude of respect and acknowledging that the other person deserves more than a tumble. Yes, it's all in the mind on this one. So I agree with Peeples; that admiring and lusting are two separate issues.
   
   The Remedy:
   I'm hoping that by sharing this, it might help with all three questions.
   If we can focus our thoughts to one of appreciation, rather than the natural desire to conquer. Respect others and self. Make love with the right person not sex. In so doing; we discipline not only the mind but the (physical)flesh.

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10. 73

    Rosana Modugnoposted 11 years ago

    It's a natural urge and we are all animals, some of us more sexual than others.  I suppose if you had to, it would be a constant battle within yourself, worse than any drug addiction because sexuality is natural, so it would be like fighting yourself every day for the rest of your life, keeping yourself busy all the time and staying away from anything that would be tempting.  I imagine it depends on the willpower of the person.  But I never saw a reason for that.  Why fight it?

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11. 0

    VeronicaInspiresposted 11 years ago

    Sex is powerful, but not more powerful than God, who created sex. So we can certainly turn to Him and ask Him for help in controlling our desires.
    
    We have to pray over it and make a conscious effort to deny ourselves and make a conscious effort to control our bodies, rather than succumbing to sexual sin.
    
    When we choose to focus our ways on what's pleasing to God, the things that are not of God will waste away; your mind can't occupy both thoughts at the same time.
    
    It's a process and may not happen right away, but keep striving.
    
    It might also help to remove yourself from all those things that act as “triggers.”

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