Harry Styles has reportedly given up sex for Kabbalah

LONDON, June 16 (UPI) -- Harry Styles has given up sex for religious reasons.

The 20-year-old One Direction singer is said to have taken up Kabbalah last month, and is "really serious" about practicing. The tradition stems from Judaism, and seeks to explain the relationship between the eternal Ein Sof and the mortal universe. Sex is by no means forbidden, and is considered a powerful form of spiritual expression.

"Harry is really serious about this," a source tells the Daily Star. "He feels he doesn't want to be that guy who is known for bedding celebs anymore. But in the past all his good intentions to quit sex have fallen by the wayside. He feels it's getting in the way of him having a proper, meaningful relationship and Kabbalah is giving him the discipline to finally quit sex for a sustained period."

"He used to be the big party boy but now he's totally obsessed with spiritual balance and finding inner peace," another insider adds. "A lot of his music industry pals in America are into it too, so he's getting loads of advice from them. The lads [of One Direction] are winding up Harry loads about his sex ban, but he takes it all in good humor. He's telling the boys that they should follow it too!"

Many celebrities have taken an interest in Kabbalah, including Madonna, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan.