Brahmacharya: moderation,channeling emotions, self-containment (Continence)

Brahmacharya (Continence) can be translated as an advanced Hindu yoga practice of abstinence from sex as a means of joyfully funneling sexual energy to spiritual ends.  This is never a sacrifice, but rather a joyful choice.  However, on another level, Brahmacharya also refers to a continence that applies in a wider dimension of non-attachment to sensual pleasures – which does not mean trying not to enjoy a walk in a pleasant surroundings or a cool drink on a hot day, but an attitude of not clinging to pleasures and not craving for their repetition. 

Think of a mirror, which receives but does not grasp. 

There is overindulgence of mind, intellect, speech or body; moderation on all levels concerning sex, food, and all aspects of daily life including the environment. 

Practice: not repression, but control of sensual cravings as a means of a deepened spiritual connection.

Yogis neither obsess nor repress, yet makes peace with sensual cravings or any interests that pulls them away from the divine and into the mundane.

Avoid overindulgence of mind, intellect, speech, and body.

Principle of Brahmacharya 

Satisfying desire for pleasures through food, sex, television and other pastimes hides the hollow emptiness inside.  This emptiness is spiritual starvation.  Our soul needs fulfillment.  There are many levels of our being, and we often do not take a holistic approach to fulfillment on all these levels.  We often only see the easiest, surface level needs and attempt to fulfill ourselves on a physical level.

“Brahma” translates as the Creator.  “Charya” is teacher or guide. “Acharya” means to be wedded.

Thus one could say Brahmacharya means being wedded to Brahma or “to remain connected to Source” or to remain continuous with it.

Brahmacharya Mantra

“This day, I am moderate, centered, and complete. I use my energy in ways that lead me closer to my Divinity. I treat myself and others with respect, recognizing the inherent Divinity of all people.”

Developmental Stages:

1.     Self-containment through moderate sexuality and diet

2.     No thoughts of past or future sense pleasures

3.     Freedom from attachment to pleasures

4.     Free from duality and the illusion of incompleteness or separateness

5.     Inner peace

6.     Perpetual inner ecstasy, replacing outward focus of sensual/sexual energies

 

Be moderate even in moderation, so that it is not a burden. Everything is a joyful offering to God. It is a beautiful practice. It is about moderating the extremes and not wanting too much on any level.

Brahmacharya brings out the FIRE in your spirit. Indeed, as you begin this practice, many fiery energies are bond to come up.  When they arise, allow them to burn – smothering issues just makes them smolder and re-emerge later.  When they re-emerge they’ll be hotter.  When they arise, become the witness, without pushing or pulling, but observing like a spectator of your own existence as you go deeper, unraveling your true motivations without judgment or condemnation.

Brahmacharya: control of sexual energy: a joyful choice 

“Brahmacharya” is one of the most difficult for most Westerners to understand. One classical translation is that this yama means celibacy.  A good definition of the word is based on the translation of the syllables of the word. “Brahma” comes from the name of the deity Brahma; “char” means to walk and “ya” means actively.

Thus, a good western translation of brahmacharya is “Walk with God.” 

There are always people for whom sexual love holds no great attraction and they are naturally celibate. Others sacrifice this part of their life purposefully to live as a monk or nun and thus to consecrate their sexuality to God.

Brahmacharya does not just mean to give up sex. It is a transmutation of the energy of sex into something else, principally, as joyful offering of devotion to God.

Brahmacharya/householder yogi

As might well be imagined, Brahmacharya has been the source of many discussions throughout the ages in all religions. One question that arises is about the householder yogis? Are they to give up sexual relations? Does this mean that if one lives in a family situation one cannot be a student of yoga? Moreover, what is the beneficial effect of abstaining from sex if one is not a monk or nun? While some yoga practitioners are drawn to the practice of celibacy, not all are. In addition, some come to the practice of yoga after they are already married.

Simply to impose celibacy upon one’s partner whether he/she chooses it is not in the spirit of Brahmacharya. 

Indeed, it is not in the spirit of ahimsa, and may in fact be the symptom of some other difficulty in the relationship. Once one is in a committed sexual relationship, the choice of celibacy by necessity must be a mutual and joyful decision.

Brachmacharya/monogamous relationship

Another interpretation of Brahmacharya seems quite appropriate for the average person who has taken up the study of yoga and that is to remain faithful within a monogamous relationship. Another suggestion is simple: when you are having sex, have sex, when you are not, do not. This particular interpretation underscores the importance of remaining in the present and focusing on what is happening right now without obsession. 

A simple rule is to be present in all actions, including sex