Why Practice Abstinence?

There's so much pleasure in the world

Life is meant to be enjoyed

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Yes

but enjoyment becomes addiction

when left unmoderated

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As the Four Noble Truths describes

Dukkha is caused by tanha

Or

Suffering is caused by craving

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Dukkha disrupts drive

Tanha stifles

the state of simplicity

We become slaves

to our bodies desires

The peace of mind

is squandered by searching outside

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Longing

Aching

Ruthless desires

are mentally unhinging

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Separating you from yourself

while seeking pleasure

beyond your own skin

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Practice abstinence

because mindless indulgence

can become a means to escape reality

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As the Dalai Lama teaches

"Sexual desire and attachment are enjoyable,

but act as a basis to anger, hatred, and jealousy."

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Acknowledge your urges

and let them pass

That is the key

to personal peace

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While I'm no 86 year-old virgin

I've found empowerment

from abstinence in all it forms

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Periodically

abstaining from

sweets

meats

drugs

alcohol

and yes

even sex

has allowed

me to acknowledge

the inner workings of my world

take the reins on my life

and find peace within my skin

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Instead of being dragged face down

by the mustang of my impulses

and only feeling free when

I found an escape route through

a hell that tastes like heaven