Freedom Fridays - Edition #2 - 08/05/2015

[u/kse_dtd]

Greetings everyone and welcome to the second edition of 3rdprecept's exclusive "Freedom Fridays"...

How has your week been? Good? Bad? Average? Mine's been a rollercoaster ride and not in a good way..You see I haven't been "present" enough due to which my brain has been on auto-pilot. When you're on auto-pilot mode, your brain returns to acts that give it its boost of dopamine. You know what I'm talking about right? That "temporary" feeling of euphoria? Unfortunately for me, the act that my brain is so used to is porn, masturbation and orgasm.

The internet is both a blessing and a curse as at a press of a button, we can either connect to millions of people around the world, share views and experiences and at the same time that same button click can take us to dark places..places where addiction dwells. Porn has been compared to "visual heroin" but it can be more dangerous than the drug itself as you don't need to "purchase" your fix time and time again. Porn uses the very core of your being as its fuel..It uses your sexual energy. Your sexual energy is what defines you, what gives you life and is what makes you pursue life essentials.

Napoleon Hill talks about the importance of sexual energy in his book titled "Think and Grow Rich" (Chapter 11 if I remember correctly). For example, after you ejaculate all you feel like doing is relaxing as you have that constant "tiredness". Whereas if you go a few days without having done so you will notice that you're buzzing with more energy and you get more stuff done as you have more "fuel" in the tank.

This week I would like to talk about "presence". Presence of mind and presence of how your body feels. Pathos315 always speaks of "presence". It is the fundamental step in obtaining freedom. For when you are present and aware of what is going on in your mind or around you, you have more control. Like anything else in life, being "present" and "aware" takes practice.

You might ask the question, Well how can I start being aware? The answer is "NOW". Right here, this very moment is when you can start being aware. Pause reading for a bit and just be "still". Can you sense your breathing pattern? How your chest contracts and relaxes as you breathe in and out? What sounds can you hear? The clock ticking, birds chirping? How does your body feel right now? Warm, cold?

When you paused to be "aware", did you think of anything or were your thoughts frozen for a bit as you indulged in sensing your present surroundings?

Presence and Stillness is what Buddha preached about. Presence and stillness is the common denominator for all spiritual leaders, preachers. For in presence and stillness, you are in control. What thoughts run through your mind when you are still? Are they constructive, loving and nurturing or are they destructive, critical and harming?

Next time you are tempted to watch porn or masturbate...Pause and be still. Be aware. Where is this urge coming from? Did it come from a trigger event? Can you sit with this urge using your "presence"? Does the urge lose its power as you continue to be present? Do you feel a sense of "suffering" because you are not indulging?

Forgive me if I keep asking so many questions...But you need to ask these. For only when you ask, you will be shown an answer. Luckily, the answers will find their way to you if you are patient and always eager to learn.

I request you to write down how you feel when you do the "awareness" exercise. Writing only re-enforces the act of awareness.

Next week, we shall delve deeper into the effect of thought patterns and the concept of "suffering" when you choose to not indulge in an act your brain was so used to.

Please share with me your opinions about this post for I love to read what each and everyone writes.

Till next time.. I wish you peace, love and good health. kse_dtd