The harms of Masturbation and Porn
The harms of Masturbation and Porn
First of all, hello everyone.
(I didn't know where to post this )
I wanted to tell you guys something that is important, it's about the harms of masturbation and pornography on the brain and body.
Contemporary doctors and psychologists usually say it's healthy...let me just tell you this : they DO NOT know what they are talking about, they simply don't have the perspective of a porn addict. Porn viewing is linked to less grey matter in the brain, check the latest research.
I know masturbation very well, and did it for almost a decade, I know what it does to people.
[Edit]
Hope it helped.
(I didn't know where to post this )
I wanted to tell you guys something that is important, it's about the harms of masturbation and pornography on the brain and body.
Contemporary doctors and psychologists usually say it's healthy...let me just tell you this : they DO NOT know what they are talking about, they simply don't have the perspective of a porn addict. Porn viewing is linked to less grey matter in the brain, check the latest research.
I know masturbation very well, and did it for almost a decade, I know what it does to people.
[Edit]
Hope it helped.
Last edited by Ayu on Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Removed proselytizing and spam
Reason: Removed proselytizing and spam
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
You forgot to mention that your eyesight gets better, and the hair on your palms recedes.bearman90 wrote:First of all, hello everyone.
(I didn't know where to post this )
I wanted to tell you guys something that is important, it's about the harms of masturbation and pornography on the brain and body.
Contemporary doctors and psychologists usually say it's healthy...let me just tell you this : they DO NOT know what they are talking about, they simply don't have the perspective of a porn addict. Porn viewing is linked to less grey matter in the brain, check the latest research.
[Edit]
Last edited by Ayu on Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: See OP
Reason: See OP
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Also, from the Buddhist perspective, there's so many advantages to being single, and not being attached to someone, and not having sex. Besides the obvious fact that one is saving money and having more free time by being single, and avoiding the possibility that one might get married and all of the trappings that brings, not exposing oneself to carnal pleasures makes one's mind cool and calm, free and more aware.
But if someone masturbates, they're throwing many of those advantages out of the window. It's almost as if they're married to someone (their hand) without any expectation of higher non-physical love, just pure carnal desire, like having a prostitute.
It's kind of like giving up gambling in a casino, only to take up online gambling. Sure, you lose the presence of booze and extra distractions - but the fundamental issue remains: the mind isn't free of desire and the most immediate cause of that desire.
It's a shame that so many people disparage sincere practitioners who want to help others improve their Buddhist daily practice by ridiculing them as snake oil salesmen, who believe it causes hair on one's hand. Not only are there clear scientific benefits to reducing not just this, but any carnal desire and addiction, but the benefits are obvious to anyone who frees themselves of the immediate causes of carnal desires - the cool calm mind which lasts as long as one doesn't indulge beats any carnal feeling which lasts only for a short period.
But if someone masturbates, they're throwing many of those advantages out of the window. It's almost as if they're married to someone (their hand) without any expectation of higher non-physical love, just pure carnal desire, like having a prostitute.
It's kind of like giving up gambling in a casino, only to take up online gambling. Sure, you lose the presence of booze and extra distractions - but the fundamental issue remains: the mind isn't free of desire and the most immediate cause of that desire.
It's a shame that so many people disparage sincere practitioners who want to help others improve their Buddhist daily practice by ridiculing them as snake oil salesmen, who believe it causes hair on one's hand. Not only are there clear scientific benefits to reducing not just this, but any carnal desire and addiction, but the benefits are obvious to anyone who frees themselves of the immediate causes of carnal desires - the cool calm mind which lasts as long as one doesn't indulge beats any carnal feeling which lasts only for a short period.
Potaliya Sutta wrote:"Suppose a dog, overcome with weakness & hunger, were to come across a slaughterhouse, and there a dexterous butcher or butcher's apprentice were to fling him a chain of bones — thoroughly scraped, without any flesh, smeared with blood. What do you think: Would the dog, gnawing on that chain of bones — thoroughly scraped, without any flesh, smeared with blood — appease its weakness & hunger?"
"No, lord. And why is that? Because the chain of bones is thoroughly scraped, without any flesh, & smeared with blood. The dog would get nothing but its share of weariness & vexation."
"In the same way, householder, a disciple of the noble ones considers this point: 'The Blessed One has compared sensuality to a chain of bones, of much stress, much despair, & greater drawbacks.' Seeing this with right discernment, as it actually is, then avoiding the equanimity coming from multiplicity, dependent on multiplicity, he develops the equanimity coming from singleness, dependent on singleness, where sustenance/clinging for the baits of the world ceases without trace.
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Healthy productive sex isn't something you do to someone, nor is it something you give, nor is it something you take or receive. Sex is something you share. Masturbation is, by definition, a solitary activity.
Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.
-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra
"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
-Paraphrase of Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel citing the Guhyasamaja Tantra
"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.
Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.
Through the qualities of meditating in that way,
Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."
-Ra Lotsawa, All-pervading Melodious Drumbeats
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
I am willing to believe that sex is less harmful to the mind than masturbation and porn, but I also think it is, all in all, quite worthy of renunciation, no matter how (re)'productive'. After all, sharing isn't what makes something non-harmful to the mind or not, in the end, it's plain old contact-attachment-desire. And you do "do" sharing, just as you "do" giving. If you're not doing something, then it's not an action.
But people can do relationships well. Buddhists can have wholesome relationships and marriages. After all, Vimalakirti is a good example.
But I actually think that's harder, at least for me. Based upon the way I feel just seeing a woman I am very attracted to (used to be more common before I started to get disgusted and more aware with the accepted deceptions like make up and high heels), compared to when I am not, I think I prefer the coolness and calmness of renouncing sensuality and relationships.
Even though I've pretty much never touched a woman except with my eyes, these days I could never bring myself to be interested in women enough to even consider testing what it's like, I'm pretty convinced that renunciation is the unbeatable option.
Also, once you taste the equanimity of deep meditation, no pleasures of the flesh really beat it. But I feel like it comes from seeing, rather than just fanaticism, since I just have no interest any more. I like how Bodhidharma puts it:
But people can do relationships well. Buddhists can have wholesome relationships and marriages. After all, Vimalakirti is a good example.
But I actually think that's harder, at least for me. Based upon the way I feel just seeing a woman I am very attracted to (used to be more common before I started to get disgusted and more aware with the accepted deceptions like make up and high heels), compared to when I am not, I think I prefer the coolness and calmness of renouncing sensuality and relationships.
Even though I've pretty much never touched a woman except with my eyes, these days I could never bring myself to be interested in women enough to even consider testing what it's like, I'm pretty convinced that renunciation is the unbeatable option.
Also, once you taste the equanimity of deep meditation, no pleasures of the flesh really beat it. But I feel like it comes from seeing, rather than just fanaticism, since I just have no interest any more. I like how Bodhidharma puts it:
[i]Bloodstream Sermon[/i] by Bodhidharma wrote:People who see that their mind is the Buddha don't need to shave their head. Laymen are Buddhas too. Unless they see their nature, people who shave their head are simply fanatics.
Student: But since married laymen don't give up sex, how can they become Buddhas?
Bodhidharma: I only talk about seeing your nature. I don't talk about sex simply because you don't see your nature. Once you see your nature, sex is basically immaterial. It ends along with your delight in it. Even if some habits remain', they can't harm you, because your nature is essentially pure. Despite dwelling in a material body of four elements, your nature is basically pure. It can't be corrupted.
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Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
I have to admit, you make a strong case.Zhen Li wrote:Also, from the Buddhist perspective, there's so many advantages to being single, and not being attached to someone, and not having sex. Besides the obvious fact that one is saving money and having more free time by being single, and avoiding the possibility that one might get married and all of the trappings that brings, not exposing oneself to carnal pleasures makes one's mind cool and calm, free and more aware.
There is not only nothingness because there is always, and always can manifest. - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
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Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Although the topic is the Harms of Masturbation and Porn, there are some interesting points about renunciation and marriage going on too.....that could be another thread on its own.
Ideally, being in any kind of romantic relationship, particularly a married one can enhance one's practice. In a relationship you have all the experiences of emptiness, clarity and sensation along with the constant feedback of sharing those experiences with another person. As was said earlier very deep states of meditation can also be reached that do surpass the ecstasy of a Friday night. However, those deep states can also be achieved with a partner while doing a sadhana or meditation practice together. This can be done without attachment as well. If both people (or more depending...) engage in a relationship with non-attachment and then true selfless love manifests and their is no differentiation between self and other. Your energies play off each other as the magical display of Samantabhadra and Samantabhadri and you traverse the path to enlightenment on a "fleetness of foot".......easier said than done, but pretty cool.
In a practical sense in a relationship those involved can be held more accountable for each others actions. Although there are true followers of the path of renunciation it seems there is often the danger to fool yourself that you are an unattached, pious being on the road to liberation when you are single living alone trying to convince yourself to be disgusted by the sight of a potential mate whilst you run away to avoid attachment and go home to masturbate with your harem of clicks and rubs.......obviously, the root of the problem is still there. In many cases this is an issue of attachment and desire as well as the objectification of that person. Whether you are treating them (male or female) as an object of renunciation or as an object of desire it is still an objectification of a sentient being and a disregard or their Buddha nature leading to an enhancement of one's ego rather than a dissolution and further cause for rebirth. We could call this "premature renunciation".
All approaches.....Celibate, Married, or Drukpa Kunely style (although that's a tough one emulate) can all be integrated into awareness and can be a valid path. Internet porn on the other hand is probably best to be avoided as its easy to become addicted to, always accessible, wastes a lot of time and trains your brain to objectify people by sexual impulse to the point where one starts treating people in the grocery store like they can click on them.
Some ways of thinking about this may be relative to whether or not someone was Buddhist before or after they became married.
Ideally, being in any kind of romantic relationship, particularly a married one can enhance one's practice. In a relationship you have all the experiences of emptiness, clarity and sensation along with the constant feedback of sharing those experiences with another person. As was said earlier very deep states of meditation can also be reached that do surpass the ecstasy of a Friday night. However, those deep states can also be achieved with a partner while doing a sadhana or meditation practice together. This can be done without attachment as well. If both people (or more depending...) engage in a relationship with non-attachment and then true selfless love manifests and their is no differentiation between self and other. Your energies play off each other as the magical display of Samantabhadra and Samantabhadri and you traverse the path to enlightenment on a "fleetness of foot".......easier said than done, but pretty cool.
In a practical sense in a relationship those involved can be held more accountable for each others actions. Although there are true followers of the path of renunciation it seems there is often the danger to fool yourself that you are an unattached, pious being on the road to liberation when you are single living alone trying to convince yourself to be disgusted by the sight of a potential mate whilst you run away to avoid attachment and go home to masturbate with your harem of clicks and rubs.......obviously, the root of the problem is still there. In many cases this is an issue of attachment and desire as well as the objectification of that person. Whether you are treating them (male or female) as an object of renunciation or as an object of desire it is still an objectification of a sentient being and a disregard or their Buddha nature leading to an enhancement of one's ego rather than a dissolution and further cause for rebirth. We could call this "premature renunciation".
All approaches.....Celibate, Married, or Drukpa Kunely style (although that's a tough one emulate) can all be integrated into awareness and can be a valid path. Internet porn on the other hand is probably best to be avoided as its easy to become addicted to, always accessible, wastes a lot of time and trains your brain to objectify people by sexual impulse to the point where one starts treating people in the grocery store like they can click on them.
Some ways of thinking about this may be relative to whether or not someone was Buddhist before or after they became married.
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Being married before being Buddhist would definitely change the whole scenario, and divorce is probably not a necessary course of action. Technically, the Buddha didn't divorce (though whether this would be considered necessary/doable back then, I can't say), and even though Vimalakirti had a wife, he became celibate while still married.
As regards objectification, I'm pretty sure that outside of seeing Buddha nature in someone else, everything you do with them is objectifying. I personally don't believe in the romantic view of sex, where it can be done with or without objectification, with a "true" love for the other person as a pure subject (a perceived subject not being an object, somehow). If you see someone else's Buddha nature, I can't see eroticisation being possible, and I can't see sexual arousal as possible.
By viewing that which one is attracted to as an object of renunciation, someone is closer to Buddha nature than seeing them as an object of carnal pleasure. While I would certainly agree with the idea that this, ultimately, is not a realistic-view, since it emphasises the non-attractive, it is an upaya that the Buddha expounded, whereas eroticism wasn't an upaya that the Buddha expounded. I'm clearly not very well qualified to speak from experience in these matters, and I actually love to hear different perspectives on this issue, but this approach makes sense to me. The last thing, however, I would want to be doing, is simply re-affirm my own position. Whether it's chosen initially, or whether it is reconsidered somewhere along the way, my preference is for it to be something that is thought through, and not just done out of fanaticism or recklessness.
As regards objectification, I'm pretty sure that outside of seeing Buddha nature in someone else, everything you do with them is objectifying. I personally don't believe in the romantic view of sex, where it can be done with or without objectification, with a "true" love for the other person as a pure subject (a perceived subject not being an object, somehow). If you see someone else's Buddha nature, I can't see eroticisation being possible, and I can't see sexual arousal as possible.
By viewing that which one is attracted to as an object of renunciation, someone is closer to Buddha nature than seeing them as an object of carnal pleasure. While I would certainly agree with the idea that this, ultimately, is not a realistic-view, since it emphasises the non-attractive, it is an upaya that the Buddha expounded, whereas eroticism wasn't an upaya that the Buddha expounded. I'm clearly not very well qualified to speak from experience in these matters, and I actually love to hear different perspectives on this issue, but this approach makes sense to me. The last thing, however, I would want to be doing, is simply re-affirm my own position. Whether it's chosen initially, or whether it is reconsidered somewhere along the way, my preference is for it to be something that is thought through, and not just done out of fanaticism or recklessness.
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
I don't know why ppl are so against masturbation. If your body needs something just do it and get it over with. Obsessing over it is far more unhealthy. I think its funny we feel like masturbation is some unclean act. Like our purity is at stake haha. Such silliness.
Thus shall ye think of all this fleeting world:
A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream;
A flash of lightning in a summer cloud,
A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream.
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
I am sure there are plenty of people who "obsess" over discouraging masturbation because of purity, religious fanaticism, or frustration of some kind. I agree, that is very unhealthy, and harmful to the mind and possibly the brain. However, I think the OP is trying to encourage people to experience what continence is like, as he says, after he stopped, he felt much better. I wouldn't recommend any radical line of action in one's life unless experience and bear out its fruit.
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Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Zhen Li wrote:I am sure there are plenty of people who "obsess" over discouraging masturbation because of purity, religious fanaticism, or frustration of some kind. I agree, that is very unhealthy, and harmful to the mind and possibly the brain. However, I think the OP is trying to encourage people to experience what continence is like, as he says, after he stopped, he felt much better. I wouldn't recommend any radical line of action in one's life unless experience and bear out its fruit.
There are issues with not masturbating (for some men at least) in terms of erm..finishing early.
This of course only matters if you have a partner, and one who would be bothered by it..i'm also sure there's other ways to handle it if this is happening, so to speak..but there ya go.
Far as porn, generally it's awful, it's produced to be as highly addictive as possible and will surely throw you off sexually if you're around much of it - though I have to say the type of porn in bound to make a huge difference in that equation.
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared
-Khunu Lama
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared
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Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
What are you getting at, exactly?Johnny Dangerous wrote:There are issues with not masturbating (for some men at least) in terms of erm..finishing early.
There is not only nothingness because there is always, and always can manifest. - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Premature ejaculation, n'est-ce pas ?dzogchungpa wrote:What are you getting at, exactly?Johnny Dangerous wrote:There are issues with not masturbating (for some men at least) in terms of erm..finishing early.
Namu Amida Butsu
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Please note:
Several posts have been removed. It would be appreciated if innuendo is not a feature of this topic. Thanks for your co-operation.
Several posts have been removed. It would be appreciated if innuendo is not a feature of this topic. Thanks for your co-operation.
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
I can't speak for Johnny, but I was advised by a urologist that for many men extended periods of time without ejaculation can be harmful to the health of the prostate and/or other parts of the reproductive system. That said, the body finds ways to rid itself of excess ejaculate under those circumstances. For instance, men who are not sexually active may notice semen in the toilet bowl with a bowel movement.dzogchungpa wrote:What are you getting at, exactly?Johnny Dangerous wrote:There are issues with not masturbating (for some men at least) in terms of erm..finishing early.
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Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
What are you getting at, exactly?Tara wrote:It would be appreciated if innuendo is not a feature of this topic.
There is not only nothingness because there is always, and always can manifest. - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
I hasten to add that, to the best of my knowledge, science has documented zero harm from solo sex for men or women [bracketing the question of pornography]. Much of the conversation on masturbation and its health impacts seems to concern the experiences and bodies of men. Well... that's hardly a complete picture.
I agree with Zhen Li that the renunciation of sexuality can be virtuous for those who are involved in the path of renunciation. There's an extended discussion of this in the now-legendary DharmaWheel threads on celibacy. But not all Buddhist paths are paths of renunciation.
http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.ph ... 80#p190958" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I agree with Zhen Li that the renunciation of sexuality can be virtuous for those who are involved in the path of renunciation. There's an extended discussion of this in the now-legendary DharmaWheel threads on celibacy. But not all Buddhist paths are paths of renunciation.
http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.ph ... 80#p190958" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
Apparently, racy humor is not allowed.dzogchungpa wrote:What are you getting at, exactly?Tara wrote:It would be appreciated if innuendo is not a feature of this topic.
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa
Re: The harms of Masturbation and Porn
What I have heard is that most studies conflict on this, and that it's neither one way or another. E.g. Ejaculation Frequency and Subsequent Risk of Prostate Cancer which states "Ejaculation frequency was not statistically significantly associated with risk of advanced prostate cancer."Jikan wrote:I can't speak for Johnny, but I was advised by a urologist that for many men extended periods of time without ejaculation can be harmful to the health of the prostate and/or other parts of the reproductive system. That said, the body finds ways to rid itself of excess ejaculate under those circumstances. For instance, men who are not sexually active may notice semen in the toilet bowl with a bowel movement.
I tend to feel like this is one thing that is likely to have a self-confirming bias, like circumcision, or whether your doctor suggests you drink wine: if the doctor is circumcised, he's likely convinced himself even subconsciously that it's a good thing, or if he drinks wine, he likely ignores data that says it's bad for you. I really make a habit of not listening to many of these lifestyle suggestions, because the science doesn't tend to give a clear answer, or you'll hear one thing one time, and another thing the next.
While the OP did emphasize the scientific end of things, and while I pretty much agree from experience that everything he wrote is correct for me, I think the more important question is not one of science, but of one's Buddhist practice.Jikan wrote:I hasten to add that, to the best of my knowledge, science has documented zero harm from solo sex for men or women [bracketing the question of pornography]. Much of the conversation on masturbation and its health impacts seems to concern the experiences and bodies of men. Well... that's hardly a complete picture.
This is perhaps even going a bit further into the mind and it's attachments than the question of celibacy, because having sex does require effort to find someone and be interested enough in one another. So the question is perhaps even verging on whether one opts for dispassion and freedom from sensuality as a whole or not, which certainly is a far more dharmic goal for a lay devotee than is usually expected.
I think we have to keep in mind that the five precepts for lay devotees are more or less are a fundamental minimum of behaviour to see benefit in one's life and secure a human rebirth. Any spiritual progress would require further effort. At least meditation and mindfulness, and at least a curbing on some of the more accepted indulgences of humanity.