I masturbated, after having abstained for at least a few weeks, maybe more. The weather was beautiful and very hot yesterday, and I had been horny for days. Today I feel sluggish and dull and completely sapped of energy, almost a complete reversal from before.

I don't care to get into a moral argument here, but for the purpose of awakening or enlightenment, masturbating is definitely counterproductive. It has no purpose other than gratifying the self, a short utility, and comes at a high cost (mentally and emotionally), that's why I used the term vice. I know it can be a loaded one for some people, so I'd be happy to call it obstacle or hindrance or distraction instead.

Anyhow, I'm letting this experience remind me just how much the mind craves distraction. When unsupervised and left to its own devices, the mind wants nothing but constant entertainment and attention. Basically, I left the monkey untethered for a while and it promptly wrecked my furniture and pissed on my bedsheets.