After the bars

Your imagination (fantasy) is then a porn substitute.

 

Some 20 years ago I read in a yoga magazine that imagination is man's principal enemy today. This noble activity, if not used properly, can transform us into creeps. Anything we do in life should make us stronger, morally better and wiser, and should bring us closer to other people and make us functional parts of our society. If an activity - doesn't matter which - weakens our bodies or cuts us off from society and from normalcy, it is clear that activity is harmful. Reading, thinking, watching TV, working on a project can become harmful activities in certain contexts.

Thinking is way overrated in our society today, in contrast with doing. Of course, you have to think before you buy something, fix something around the house, when you're at work, or when you learn something, but what we're doing today in all respects of thinking could without doubt be called fantasizing. What we do whenever we think about our boss's or colleagues' attitude towards us, or when we think about a person we appreciate, can actually be considered fantasizing. We shouldn't waste one thought on these things, we should act. We should tell our boss or colleague what bothers us or we should do something for the person we appreciate. We've allowed our brains to take control of our lives too much, replacing instincts and intuition.

At least for me, abstaining from PMO means abstaining from thinking. PMO doesn't strike us like a bolt of lightning, but it creeps into our minds via sexual or sensual thoughts.

 

Hello again. I think our intuition and sense of moderation may show us the line between healthy thinking and overthinking. In my opinion, overthinking leads to wasting our time. On the other hand, if we have to solve a problem or get out of a difficult situation, we may have to think a lot. This is not a waste of time, because we are looking for a solution. But if you like someone and keep on wondering whether or not to talk to her, instead of going straight to her, this is unproductive thinking.

Also, any sexual or sensual thought, or looking at porn or porn substitutes are, in my opinion, clear examples of dangerous thinking or activities. Not to mention masturbation.

I believe healthy thinking is related to achieving something practical, but not necessarily material or trivial. Being practical-minded doesn't mean that we have to think only about making money or selling things. Playing an instrument, doing a sport, having sense of humor, going to a good movie or listening to good music are good examples of healthy thinking.

Of course, we are not robots working to eliminate 'useless' thoughts and feelings, like in dystopian movies. But we can't allow fantasies take over our mind, either.