Chastity

It has been 26 years, 7 months and 20 days (but who's counting) since I masturbated and I have got to say there's never been a single day that I've woken up and said "Damn, what a loser I am. If I had only masturbated last night. I missed such a golden opportunity." Never...not once.

I have utilized a lot of resources: exercise, diet, 12 step, therapy, religion, music, recreation, service, prayer.

Mostly, these days, it's prayer and service.

I am a better father, partner, teacher, athlete, mentor and blues guitar player as a direct result of this.

I want to give credit where it's due, to the men who taught me how to do this. Without them I would be sick, isolated, needy, despairing, anxious and depressed. Thanks guys, really thanks.

Above and beyond that though, I have done 15 periods of “Finite chastity” (no sex with myself or others) of 60 days or more (I am in my 16th now) including a 19 month period and a 4 year period.

Here are some of my favorite prayers:

To achieve chastity, be prepared to lose everything. Chastity is a ravaging force to which nothing seems sacred or inviolate. It rips to shreds the structures and foundations I built in weakness and ignorance.

Chastity at any cost...talk doesn't cook rice

Control of the palate is the first essential in the observation of the vow

There are those who choose to live like eunuchs to know the kingdom of heaven. If you can accept it, accept it

Acceptance is being positive

I surrender my right to be sexual

Do not give your strength to women, your vigor to those who ruin kings

Keep a path far from her, lest you give your best strength to others

When should you have sex with a woman? When you want to lose the strength you have

A man dissipates his physical strength through ordinary incontinence

Life without celibacy appears to me to be insipid and animal like

We did not squander our energy on addictive acting out, in spite of severe temptations to do so

Steve_D_