Embracing Solitude – The Benefits of Singlehood and Celibacy, Part 2 of 2

In the previous segment, we explored the presence and importance of celibacy across various religions and spiritual traditions around the world throughout history. Regarding this aspect, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) shared the valuable benefits of a celibate lifestyle for both spiritual practice and personal life.

“The more you practice, the more you want to be alone. That’s why many practitioners are alone on the mountains, in a small hut; a wooden hut, a straw hut or a mud house. They also feel very happy. I don’t mean leaving the world behind. That’s not what I mean. I am saying that we need to be alone to be able to concentrate and feel happy, to be attentive and be at ease. Then it’s easier to think about things. Sometimes, when you are alone, you can think more clearly, right?”

“If they don’t have karma to get married or children, and all that, just have a simple job, they can always go inward. Whenever. To live alone, you can control your life easier. (Yes.) And you won’t be influenced by anything, by other partner’s karma or their own opinion. Sometimes their opinion is lower than yours, and then they drag you down also. (Yes.) But if you are just single and have just a normal job, then in the free time, you just eat your meal and then you meditate, and live your life as simple as possible, then you will be more and more in tune with everything. More in tune with nature.”

Especially, She also reminded Her disciples, who seriously practice spirituality, about another important aspect if they wish to advance further in their practice and wisdom.

“Every time you have sex with your opposite or same sex. […] Every time you do that, it will take you five weeks, minimum, to recover your diluted power Did you hear that? (Yes.) Every time. Five weeks long to recover whatever you had before. […] Anything you say is enjoyable in this world, it comes with a price. Five weeks long! That is if you don’t do anymore of this sexual activity during the five weeks. Otherwise, you even sink further, sinking, sinking, sinking. Can never make up for it. So much power that you acquired through meditation, through Master’s blessing, through Heaven’s protective grace, going, going, going, down the drain. […]”

In fact, many of Her disciples, those who sincerely pursue the Quan Yin Method – a meditation practice focused on the inner Heavenly Light and Sound – have also realized the profound benefits of being single, which have positively impacted both their daily lives and spiritual journeys. One common theme mentioned by almost everyone is that you do not really feel lonely when you are alone. Instead, being single makes it easier to listen to our own heart, pursue what we truly want to do with our lives, have more free time to serve the world, make friends, and, most importantly, become more connected to God.

Those who are married also share their views and some interesting insights on this matter. “I am forever thankful to God for a happy marriage and a loving family. However, marriage comes with a price. It's a full-time, 24-hour job, especially when you have children. It seems endless sometimes. So from my perspective, I can see the benefits of being a celibate, especially considering the time constraints in a marriage. Choosing celibacy allows individuals to have more time to themselves. As a result, they can dedicate more time for important things like spiritual practice. That’s likely why the Saints from the past have chosen celibacy.”