(from "A Sadhu’s Reminiscences of Ramana Maharshi"):
Major A. Chadwick: As regards Satsanga, since we obviously take on the colour of the company we keep, the ideal is to live with a Realized Sage; but if that is not possible, then we should choose our company in the best way we can, avoiding undesirable company. He never taught morals, and had no special abhorrence of sex. He once said in answer to a troubled disciple in my hearing, “It is better to do it than to be always thinking about it.”
This reminds one of the Gita, “Thoughts are acts in fancy.” Always thinking of it is repeatedly doing it. He naturally expected Sadhus to lead a decent life and set an example to others. In any case we should practice moderation in all things, even in those that we consider good, and, strange though it may seem, moderation in our Sadhana also is recommended. Overdoing of austerities and prolonged and unnaturally forced meditation may eventually lead to madness, unless we do such under proper guidance
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(from "Conscious Immortality"):
Question: Do you approve of sexual continence?
Ramana Maharshi: A true brahmachari [celibate] is one who dwells in Brahman. Then there is no question of desires anymore.
Question: At Sri Aurobindo's ashram there is a rigid rule that married couples are permitted to live there on condition that they have no sexual intercourse.
Ramana Maharshi: What is the use of that? If it exists in the mind, what use is it to force people to abstain?
Question: Is marriage a bar to spiritual progress?
Ramana Maharshi: The householder's life is not a bar, but the householder must do his utmost to practice self-control. If a man has a strong desire for the higher life then the sex tendency will subside. When the mind is destroyed, the other desires are destroyed also.
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