By Sejal Shah
Brahmacharya is the yogic principle of detaching from the small things in life to connect with the infinite. It’s surprisingly simple to begin!
As explained by Maharishi Patanjali’s yoga sutras, the practice of Brahmacharya, the 4th Yama, yields enormous strength and energy. In this entry in our series on understanding the practical applications of Yamas and Niyamas, we will explore this often-misunderstood but powerful guiding principle.
What is Brahmacharya?
The literal meaning of brahmacharya is “moving into infinity”: “Brahma” means infinity, the Absolute, or big; “charya” means to move or to walk, to live. Brahmacharya is moving beyond small attachments and instead identifying with infinity and keeping the mind on bigger things.
Renowned spiritual teacher Vimala Thakar, in her book ‘Glimpses of Raja Yoga’, gives the meaning of Brahma as supreme intelligence, the ultimate reality, the divine. She explains that Brahmacharya is a way of living in which you are always aware of the supreme intelligence. Brahmacharya is a dedication to the perception, understanding, and awareness of divinity.
Renowned yogi Dr. BKS Iyengar defines Brahmacharya as “Continence (self-restraint) of body, speech, and mind.”
Does Brahmacharya mean celibacy?
Although sex and procreation are at the very basis of life, in many religious traditions, celibacy is often considered a prerequisite for deep spiritual fulfillment. Many equate brahmacharya to no sexual activity or spotless chastity.
In ancient classical texts on Hinduism, brahmacharya is used to refer to the first of the four phases of life: before marriage, when students went to live and study with a spiritual teacher in the ashram or gurukul. Practicing a life of strict celibacy was deemed necessary in these circumstances, in order to focus on studies and learning the tools for self-realization. Later, one entered family life (grihasth ashram), and naturally, sex was part of it.
Maharishi Patanjali recommended the five yamas as universal concepts and absolute values for the harmonious and sustainable growth of society and mankind in general. If generations, societies, and cultures at large want to adopt brahmacharya as a way of living, equating the interpretation of brahmacharya as sexual abstinence is misleading and very limiting.
I see celibacy as a spontaneous result of the full practice of brahmacharya. In the words of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, “[The] Body has its own cycle. It goes through cycles. Consciousness not getting involved in this cycle is the real skill. Celibacy is a quality of your consciousness and it is a happening, it is not a practice per se. It is what happens when your consciousness expands.” He further explains that “when the mind is focused on divinity, there is no possessiveness, there is no lust, there is no greed; none of these negative impressions cloud the mind. That is exactly what it means. Abstinence is a result of this; it is a part of it.”
He explains this with a simple example: “When you have an examination or something very important to do, when your mind is in that, then the mind is not going to any part of the body, or focusing on some fascination or sex. You are busy. Your mind is moving towards something bigger. Then you experience moments of Brahmacharya. If you are engaged in something, or when you are in deep love, then also this happens automatically.”
What does ‘moving into infinity’ mean?
The majority of us identify ourselves with our physical bodies and spend most of our energy trying to satisfy bodily needs. We are driven by and become a slave to our sexual instincts, sensual pleasures, cravings, and aversions. We attach not only our identity, but also our happiness, joy, contentment, success, and sense of achievement to these sensual pleasures. However, we know that these pleasures are impermanent, and leave us hungry, dissatisfied, restless, and feverish again and again. This vicious cycle takes away all our attention and energy.
“Moving into infinity” is understanding that you are not just the body, but you are a glow of light, ‘God-consciousness’, or ‘sat-chit-ananda’, the source of infinite bliss. When you realize your vast and blissful nature, you become an unlimited source of happiness and joy.
When you start living in your true nature, celibacy and moderation of all the senses happen effortlessly and naturally. The mind loses its interest and grip over the physical and sees beyond every day to the infinite. It is no longer dependent on physical satisfaction to experience joy.
We create our own small identity and live by it. “I am this”, “I am small”, “I am a man”, “I am a woman”, “I am a good person”, “I am a bad person”, “I am hopeless”, etc. All these are small identifications. “Moving into infinity” means dropping all these small identifications and labels and instead identifying ourselves with the infinite and the divine.
When we are connected with the infinite, it is such a fulfilling and complete state that we don’t crave any worldly pleasures. The term “moving into infinity” may simply mean harnessing and channeling your sexual and vital energy into something very big, something very creative, beyond the labels you’ve given yourself and the mundane pleasures of everyday life. You are naturally uninterested in the outward and downward pulls of sensuality that may disturb your energy equilibrium.
Through self-knowledge, meditation, studying the scriptures, or the grace of the spiritual master, we learn that we are not just the body, that we are bigger than the body, and a completely different dimension opens up. You start realizing that you are here for a unique and noble purpose, not just to eat, sleep, talk and have sexual and sensual pleasures.
What are the benefits of brahmacharya?
Maharishi Patanjali says,
"Brahmacharya pratishtayam viaryalabhaha'' (II Sutra 38)
Brahmacharya = move in infinity; Pratishtayam = established; Viarya = vigour; Iabhaha = gained.
"On being established in infinite nature, great vigor is gained."
When you are in Brahmacharya, you access great strength. When your consciousness is expanded to infinity, that space encourages vigour, valor, and strength. When brahmacharya is established in you, you see that you are more than the body. You see yourself as the pure consciousness, Brahman. As you release all your weakness and abstain from sensual pleasures, strength rises from the inside. When Brahmacharya is firmly established in you, you become vast and powerful.
“Established in Brahmacharya”, explains Dr. B. K. S. Iyengar, “one develops a fund of vitality and energy, a courageous mind, and a powerful intellect… Brahmacharya is the battery that sparks the torch of wisdom.”
Channeling sexual energy or sensual energy can heighten creativity, improve focus and clarity, energize the mind, and ultimately open the paths towards self-realization. For married yogis, a period of celibacy can also open up new and nourishing dialogues and create a space for deeper intimacy.
5 ways modern yogis can cultivate brahmacharya
1) Remain absorbed in the highest consciousness: I find these words of Dr. Swami Shankardevananda Saraswati of Bihar School of Yoga greatly insightful and practical: “Brahmacharya is more an attitude of mind towards all sensual objects, its literal meaning being turning of the mind towards the absolute, or God-consciousness and, therefore, away from sensual indulgence. It implies that, in the perfected state, when we are absorbed in the highest consciousness, the bliss and knowledge gained wipe out the craving for sexual and sensual activity because it is a better, more fulfilling state.”
I think this is the most empowering way of nurturing brahmacharya in our life. Having a bigger vision for life, undertaking service-oriented creative endeavors, studying the scriptures, seeking the company of holy persons, falling in love with the divine through bhakti-yoga, and selflessly helping others: all these can open up our eyes and heart to the infinite consciousness.
2) Be intentional: Creating an intention for brahmacharya, and then surrendering the intention to the higher power, will help it to manifest. Organically and patiently allow it to grow and spread into all areas of indulgence in your life, rather than forcefully controlling and manipulating any sensual or sexual desires.
3) Let it happen: When one connects to the infinite, Brahmacharya becomes a path of divine love and endless celebration. It can make life more juicy and fulfilling. When perfected, it can give us the space to purify and enjoy our desires without being caught up in them. Brahmacharya does not mean the suppression or repression of desires. Any force or imposition may do more harm than good. As mentioned earlier, it is a matter of happening rather than practicing. Don’t be hard on yourself, don’t become obsessed, be aware, and don’t indulge in any guilt. Being natural, sincere, and reverent will make your journey far easier.
4) Create a solid footing: Dedicated practice of asana, pranayama, and meditation creates a strong foundation for brahmacharya to grow. These practices increase awareness and relax the nervous system, reducing the susceptibility to excitability and arousal and enabling us to better control the nerves and nadis (energy channels). These also help to separate your emotions from your thoughts, releasing the control your emotions have over the autonomic nervous system, endocrine glands, and hormonal activities. In this state, our sensual impulses have far less control over us. Meditation also connects us to our true nature of boundless joy and bliss. Remaining in periods of silence on a regular basis can help purify our minds and spirits of any negative impressions.
5) Avoid excess and indulgence: Culture your senses by refraining from meaningless extravagances that deplete your energy and distract your mind. When you decrease the amount of energy you spend on sensory indulgences and instead turn the mind inward (pratyahara), you replace your dependencies and transient cravings with the experience of inner joy and peace.
When we start to let go of our impulses for excess, whether that’s in shopping, food, sex, drugs, TV, work, social media, gadgets, gossiping, whatever it is that we like to indulge in or obsess over, then we help create inner space to connect with the higher self and progress towards brahmacharya. Take baby steps, one at a time. Become aware of your tendencies, choose one of your excesses, and work towards moderation. Taking on more creative challenges, observing your diet and eating in moderation, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, taking cold baths, singing soulful chants, spending time in prayerful reflection, or contemplative journaling: all these can help curb your impulses to indulge or obsess. Understanding and practicing all the 5 Niyamas—Saucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (penance), Svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishvara Pranidhana (devotion to a higher power)—can be extremely useful.
For yogis seeking the highest potential of yoga, Brahmacharya gives us a chance to unleash our creative energy, to remain soaked in the divine presence, to move into infinity or supreme consciousness (brahman), and thus find a way to fulfill the greatest and finest desire of all—the desire to connect with the unchanging reality. It also provides us with practical, positive ways to refine our senses. It puts us in control of our senses and desires rather than the other way around.
Developing your yoga routine
The dedicated practice of pranayama and meditation creates a solid base for brahmacharya~ moderation to grow. If you would like to learn a breath-based meditation technique that can be incorporated into your daily routine, I would recommend you to learn SKY Breath Meditation. Join Beyond Breath - a free online introductory session to learn more about SKY.
Enjoy your journey into infinity!
Explore the other four yamas - Ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness) Asteya (non-stealing), and Aparigraha (non-accumulating).
Sejal Shah, E-RYT 500 Sri Sri Yoga Teacher, YACEP, C-IAYT, Meditation Teacher, SKY Instructor, NYU Post Graduate Medical School approved Yoga-CME retreat facilitator, Mind-Body Wellness Writer, Homeopath. She can be followed on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
