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How many of us are masturbating because we are frustratingly unfulfilled sexually, bored with faded
memories of passion, distracted with porn, or using orgasm just to fall asleep quicker? Hasta
maithuna (masturbation), like all natural urges, should not be suppressed, according to Ayurveda.
Positive Masturbation
While there is almost universal historical disparagement of masturbation among world religions,
modern scientific evidence defines masturbation as healthy erotic self-pleasuring. Masturbation has
received positive and negative tides of opinion across cultures through time, illustrating that we
commonly feel the presence of naturally inherent contradictions in this deeply personal act of mental
fantasy and physical self-pleasuring.
The goal of Ayurveda is to empower each of us to look deeply into these contradictions, and separate
the healthy and unhealthy aspects so we can best manage the resources of our life force to maintain
health and achieve authentic fulfillment.
Masturbation Resources
Masturbation is not a trivial act, according to Ayurveda. In the deepest reaches of our being, the
sankalpa (resolve) of our libido stirs and brings together the resources for self-release, including:
• The shimmering Life Force, called Ojas.
• The intrinsic qualities of Rajas, which expands our minds with desire.
• The intrinsic quality of Tamas, which opens the doorway to fantasy.
• The intense wind of Vāta, which flows through us and moves us to act.
• The bright fire of Pitta, which enlightens our genitals (guhya, or “secret” regions).
• The comfort of Kapha, which creates the sensation of sweet fulfillment.
• The support of the 7 Dhātus, which organize all our metabolic functions.
The delicate balance and supply of these resources must be cultivated consciously, with the
experience and skill of a master gardener, to maintain optimum health and wellness.
It’s the pain in our mind, according to Ayurveda, from which our physical pain develops. And, what
person does not have unbalanced mental sexual pain?
Mental habits, influenced by excessive Rajas and Tamas have a profound influence on Vāta, Pitta
and Kapha; they become pathogenic factors as they transform the Doshas.
Ayurveda teaches that our habitual (lifestyle) thinking either cultivates our life energies, or depletes
them. Because the nature of masturbation is repetitive and ritualized (with specific turn-ons, feelings,
memories, and pornography), the constant involvement (samyoga) of painful mental factors
“entrains” negative effects and reinforces their patterns.
Toxic Masturbation
Though we have idealized healthy masturbation as “natural self-pleasuring”, it is a deep urge, and just
as eating is prompted by hunger pangs, masturbation is associated with hidden anxiety that begs
relief.
From the standpoint of clearly evaluating our own healing – should we come to terms with this
anxiety? Most often, we do not, because it’s easier to escape into fantasy and sleep, than to question
ourselves.
When ritualized masturbation is used to mask emotional issues or as an escape from frustrated needs
or from shame, or the agony of being lonely or unloved, masturbation is rendered “empty” of positive
pleasure.
Emptiness also haunts us when we masturbate ritually to pornography decade after decade, projecting
ourselves into scenes of imaginary sex, addicted by default and longing for the turn-on we can’t get in
real life, because we are too scared or lack the power of attraction.
Using masturbation as escape, or distorting it with emotional pain, is mithyāyoga (wrong utilization),
according to Ayurveda. Masturbating addictively is atiyoga (excessive utilization). These are major
behavioral causes of endogenous disease as stated in the Charaka Saṃhitā, due to the way they
confuse and disrupt the balance of our internal natural resources.
Even though we feel like our libido has an infinite supply (due to the intensity of our desire and
attachment), this is actually not the case, especially as we age. As yoga warns that the number of our
breaths is limited, Ayurveda teaches us that libido and sexual resources are in fact, finite.
Vājīkaraṇa therapy and Rasāyana therapy are methods Ayurveda provides that reverse the deep shut-
off of energy and subsequent spread of numbness, which depletes our libido, and the Dhātus.
The Dhātus are key physiological entities which comprise both metabolic energy, and its products.
Once their depletion and stagnancy (called Dhātu Kshaya) occurs, a complete lifestyle change is
guaranteed either by the rigors of the healing process or by the suffering created by illnesses.
Notwithstanding specific illnesses, one must search deep within to determine their authentic source of
libido, or have to go through experiences such as divorce and the attendant difficulties of finding a
new partner.
Whatever the individual karmic details are, fully committing to holistic disciplines is the only way,
according to Ayurveda, to restore the Seven Dhātus and balance the Three Doshas.
Ayurvedic Prescription
In truth, restoring masturbation to a healthy, non-toxic state and keeping it free and clear of
pathogenic factors requires a profound desire to experience authentic pleasure.
Self-observation and self-acceptance, careful study of the healing process and of Ayurveda,
spiritual determination, herbs and supplements, compassionate support from one’s lover and
treatment by qualified healers all together comprise the best medicine.
Just like the practice of Yoga, masturbation has “Yamas and Niyamas”: