Assualted by Temptations

[Adumbra]

In the narrative of Buddha's enlightenment it is said that the closer he got to freedom, the harder Mara attempted to entrap him back into desire. Until recently, I took the story as a fable with Mara as a personification, not an actual person. But recent events in my life have led me to believe that there may be more to it than I believed

To be brief: it seems that every time I renounce something I suddenly find myself drowning in it. I give money away and people start offering me $20 bills or I find lesser denominations blowing about in the wind. I resolve to eat only one meal a day, and suddenly I get free food without so much as hinting that I am hungry. I tell the chicks to frak off and teenaged girls all say hi to me with big dumb smiles on their faces whenever I walk by and fondle each other with the clear intention of enticing me.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is Mara really out to get me (and if so, how much should I hold out for)?

[Konchog1]

Could just all be in your head
Could be karma (giving money, receiving money)
Could be spirits trying to ruin your practice
Could be spirits trying to help your practice by increasing the temptations so you can conquer them once and for all

My advice is to just assume it's the fourth and continue what you're doing.

[lobster]

To be brief: it seems that every time I renounce something I suddenly find myself drowning in it. I give money away and people start offering me $20 bills or I find lesser denominations blowing about in the wind. I resolve to eat only one meal a day, and suddenly I get free food without so much as hinting that I am hungry. I tell the chicks to frak off and teenaged girls all say hi to me with big dumb smiles on their faces whenever I walk by and fondle each other with the clear intention of enticing me.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is Mara really out to get me (and if so, how much should I hold out for)?

Hold out for dancing dakinis

If more money turns up you have more to give away
One meal a day, you must be a worse glutton than me. Try fasting, if too much food turns up.

Basically the more you do, the more you are supported by mara, not tempted.
If this is proving difficult for you I can use my Buddhist vampire powers to suck away Mara and his wily daughters.