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Sex Consciousness and Restlessness



In a recent talk, Swami Kriyananda was interrupted when he was explaining something about restlessness. He said "I think restlessness comes from sex consciousness to a large extent", and then he was diverted to another direction in the conversation. Could you expand on what he might have explained if he had continued on that thought?

Nayaswami Pranaba

Nayaswami Pranaba

Ananda Village


Dear Sharon,

What Swami Kriyananda is referring to is that if someone is caught by sensual desires, especially sex, then the energy is dissipated, which results in restlessness. It comes down to that we no longer have control of our energy (prana). This is the opposite of pranayama (which means, simply, energy control).

In his commentaries on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Swami Kriyananda further clarifies this understanding by stating, " From sexual desire proceeds all the outward direction of one's energies, and therefore all the involvement in other delusions: desire for wealth, for mind-numbing alcohol or drugs, for fame, power, and all the mighty host of warriors for evil described in the Bhagavad Gita. Sex completely involves one's thoughts in outwardness."

If we can transmute the sense of touch, especially sex, then we are able to be more centered. Being centered, we are no longer pulled into restlessness. When this happens then we draw the grace of realizing God's bliss in all aspects of our life.

Blessings on your spiritual journey.
Nayaswami Pranaba


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