The Psychology of Continence
This article aims to provide some topics for reflection and to give a few practical suggestions to those who want to learn the art of transformation of sexual energy into other forms of personal creativity. Thus, two categories of people may find it interesting: couples practicing NFP, and single men and women. This is an art: as Rev. Ronald Lawler pointed out at the International Humanae Vitae Conference in Omaha in July 1993, it is like learning music. At first the fingers of a young pianist do not "want" to follow easily the ideas of his mind and heart, but with a little practice it becomes easier and a time comes when the ability to master the instrument gets expressed in the freedom of spontaneous improvisation. Fr. Lawler spoke about chastity; to an important degree this paper also focuses on the virtue of chastity. My desire is to look for ways to overcome the negative view of both continence and chastity, for these are the virtues which aim at a true liberation of our selves: a liberation from the urge of the instinct, to the spontaneity of love.