Anyhow, he was a teacher when there was very little Buddhist philosophy available in English. That is no longer the case. We don’t know what he would have made of the material we can now study.

I would remind my theosophical readers that Jnana yoga is as much about the process of contemplating as it is about reaching a conclusion. When it comes to developing the mind, it’s not very helpful to discard philosophical positions without researching their merits, if your aim is wisdom.

More in general: my blogposts here can do no more than hint at the philosophical positions I refer to: whole books are devoted to their exposition. It’s a bit like summarizing Kant in a 1000 words: nobody would expect the summary to do more than give a hint at what he meant. The same here.

It very clearly says that: “Recent studies, beginning with those of Candace Pert, Ph.D. of Johns Hopkins University, have documented the connection between orgasm and endorphins, although ongoing physical contact, and not just sex alone, also helps produce endorphins, along with the hormone oxytocin. Together, they are like natural opiates and help stabilize a relationship between a loving couple by inducing what famed obstetrician Michel Odent, of London’s Primal Health Research Center (whose book, The Scientification of Love, was published in England in 1999 and available through http://www.amazon.co.uk), calls “a drug like dependency.” Although there are many reasons why two people choose to maintain a close and loving relationship, endorphins may be a factor.

A connection between good sex, endorphins and staying young may exist. In a 10-year study involving 3500 people, Dr. David Weeks, a neuropsychologist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and author of Secrets of the Super Young (Berkley, 1999) found that men and women who have sex four to five times a week look more than 10 years younger than the average person, who has sex twice a week. Dr. Weeks believes that the pleasure derived from sex was a crucial factor in preserving youth. “It makes us happy and produces chemicals [endorphins and oxytocin] telling us so.” However, he found that indulging in promiscuous sex did not have the same benefits of enjoying loving sex in a long-term relationship, and it was more likely to promote the aging process rather than reduce it.”

(emphasis mine)

The same article notes other endorphin producing activities like running and meditation (I can personally attest the positive effect of meditation on my mood).

BTW, Wolff felt that the three most powerful expositions of ultimate truth were to be found in Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, and Theosophy.

Thanks for your posting, I found it interesting. I’d like to add a comment. When one learns first about the small scope, or how important it is to practice it in a timely manner, and your also a beginner; well, that can be a tall order to begin practice on something appearing daunting! Perhaps high lamas do come back to it because of that very reason, that it is key to continual mind growth.

When you stated: “You should contemplate dying, the suffering of hell beings, obsessed spirits and animals. You should also contemplate karma. The result of these thoughts should be that the wish for a good rebirth is as real as possible to you. After all: you don’t want to end up a hell being, or an obsessed spirit, or an animal who can’t walk the spiritual path. ”

When I read this, the first thing I thought was, “My gosh, it’s been tough trying to accept the idea of impermanence, and now I have to investigate death, or worse, with all the gruesome details?” Well, anyway, the conclusion to this story is, that newbies better hope they are ready enough in the first place, to even look at this stuff and be okay with it.

I think there’s a message in here for us; if the motivation for enlightenment, to become a Buddha is pure; then, these fearful questions are extinguished automatically! wow! (thanks dakinis)!

Again thanks, I could continue as I like to write; but maybe some other time. Stay well vajra sister!

Janey Scott

Thanks for your post, we are fellow students too. Stay well. I’ll go dedicate this communication right now.