#supremeself

Brahmacharya : The vehicle to the creator  By: Lara Szlamkowicz

The path of the yogi as expounded in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras is called ashtanga or 8 limbs, which pave the way toward Yoga, which means yoke or union with G-d and all that there is.  These eight steps teach us how to live a life of spirituality and purpose, and include guidelines of moral and ethical conduct as well as self-discipline.  Also referred to as raja or king because it is the master plan on the individual journey towards union with our Creator.  Sages believed that these limbs follow a hierarchical order, with the Yamas or universal moral code, being the first limb.  Of these, brahmacharya is fourth.

The sutra says, "Brahmacharya pratisthayam viryalabhah," meaning "By one established in brahmacharya, vital energy is obtained." Therefore this practice builds upon and enhances our life energy.  On the macro level we are taught that this is referring to retention of vital fluid, which gives strength and stamina to the brain and nerves. As Sri Swami Satchidananda explains, when the seminal fluid is absorbed into the system it transforms into prana, which is our life force, our power, our energy. (1) The more that is lost, the less we have to give in every way.

 We learn that our bodies are given to us in order to serve G-d, and so we must maintain them healthily and spiritually.  The Bhagavad Gita teaches us about this gift and responsibility using imagery of the warrior and his chariot, fighting the ultimate battle to understand the individual soul, the Atman's connection with the Universal soul, Brahman.

 In Indian tradition, brahmacharya is the phase in life where one maintains chastity while learning from a Guru, and then evolves into the practice of self-control in order to attain moksha or liberation. In other words brahmacharya promotes a lifestyle which paves the way to a deeper connection to and understanding of the Supreme Self, Brahman. (2)  "Becoming one with the supreme Brahman alone is brahmacharya." (3)

 Does this mean that we must be celibate our entire lives? Well, for many people who choose to dedicate their lives to serving G-d it does.  Does this mean that married people cannot build vitality? The answer to this question is given much weight in yogic texts.  And while we are assured that non-celibate people can in fact practice brahmacharya, there are specific detailed guidelines set in place to maintain the holiness of sexual practices.  On a more practical level we can say that abstinence means much more than abstinence from sex, and expands to mean abstinence from activities, substances, and people who let the air out of our proverbial holy chariot's wheels.  Undoubtedly we can all identify with this, and may often feel we have little control over other people or circumstances, and we don't.  What we do have control over is the degree of restraint and dignity with which we conduct ourselves.

 Of course it is up to us to make these types of decisions, and no one will come down suddenly to tell us to pull back from something we know won't serve us along the path to higher places.  But being the divine creatures we are, we all contain the wise inner voice that never fails to warn us when we know we are about to do something less than pure.