Namaskar - Apr09

Dristi Brahmacarya
A place in our Modern
World
Paul Dallaghan
Brahmacharya is one of the more
discussed and misunderstood topics
in yoga, the common belief is that it
is celibacy, a complete abstinence from sexual
activity, but this is only part of the picture.
“Brahma” is the Ultimate Reality, the
Creator. “Char” is to move. Literally, it
means to move to the ultimate reality, or
more practically ways to be used for self
realisation. It is one of the five Yamas
presented by Patanjali. Other texts that deal
with the Yamas, most notably the Vasishtha
Samhita, listing it as one of ten Yamas.
Brahmacharya is a level
of self discipline and
proper behaviour,
especially in terms of
sexual activity
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In the Yoga Sutras Patanjali does not give
us a definition of Brahmacharya, he only
states its effect: “Brahma charya pratishthayam
virya labhaha” (PYS II.38) which means:
When brahmacharya becomes stable then
the yogin gains great energy and power.
We need to look at this further. The yogic
process is one of channelling and managing
energy within, whereas in normal daily life
this life energy, or prana, is wasted, drained
out of the senses. Sex and the sex drive is a
huge component in this. So from a practical,
modern day point of view we can
understand Brahmacharya as harnessing the
energy or power of our senses and directing
that to greater personal understanding.
In the traditional sense, Brahmacharya was a
description for the early stage of life, up to
about 25 years, before marriage, this period
focused on studies. Here all energy was
devoted to learning the tools to practice
self-realisation. It was typically a time of
sexual abstinence. Later, one enters family
life and naturally sex was part of it. This was
the system and culture around the time of
Patanjali and Vasishtha.
Today students’ lives are full of selfenjoyment
and sexual activity begins very
early. There are not much checks on the
senses, and their impatient, distracted state
of minds tend to be the norm. To work on
oneself requires some discipline and selfcontrol.
To harness the power of the senses
requires this same discipline and control.
One of the biggest drainers of energy is the
sex impulse. Very often it is a large mental
distraction even though no physical
engagement has occurred. It is very difficult
for an individual to find peace when the
mind is continually distracted and desirous
of sexual activity. It draws the energy down
and keeps it low. On the flip side, some
people totally suppress their sexual urge
which leads to an unnatural state and
blockages. Neither is desirous.
Today we can benefit from Vasishtha’s
further explanation of Brahmacharya. He
offers three explanations (VS I.43-45). First
is an absolute abandoning of sexual
indulgence, on the mental, verbal and
physical level. Second he offers for
householders that Brahmacharya includes sex
with their partner. Thirdly he offers that
serving the Guru or Master regularly is
considered also to be Brahmacharya.
From all of this we can see that
Brahmacharya is a level of self discipline and
proper behaviour, especially in terms of
sexual activity, and quite obviously requires a
harnessing of sensual activity. At certain
times or stages in life, it is natural that sex
be abandoned, but at other times it is
necessary and appropriate. For if we all
abandoned sex the human race would fizzle
out in one generation.
Sex is a need, both for society and for our
personal well-being. Abstinence should
never be forced. It should come naturally.
One might find at a point in life that their
time in sex is complete. This aspect of
Brahmacharya has arisen from within.
What is clear is nowhere in Yoga does it
suggest a liberal use of sex and random
partners to satisfy one’s craving and appetite.
It comes up in the Yamas after Ahimsa (don’t
hurt others), Satya (be truthful) and Asteya
(no greed, don’t take what is not your’s).
Typically loose sexual conduct ends up with
one person being hurt and very often lied
to. People feel let down and something
taken from them. So to follow these three
Yamas are keys to behaviour and relations
with others. Then the sexual activity
becomes shared and understood.
Enjoy sex when engaged in it. Share it. Give
attention and care. This is love in itself. The
self control as meant by Brahmacharya brings
a healthy relationship into your life and,
being so channelled, gives great strength and
energy, as Patanjali has explained. If
complete celibacy arises then it is as a natural
result of the focus and practices engaged in
over years of yoga practice.
Paul is the director of
Centered Yoga Institute
& Yoga Thailand.
www.centeredyoga.com,
www.yoga-thailand.com