|
Wikipedia defines Brahmacharya as “under the tutelage of Brahma and refers to an approximate period of 14-20 years of formal education in the traditional sciences, astronomy and religious texts contained within the Vedas and the Upanishads. It is also characterized by the practice of strict celibacy. Alternatively, Brahmacharya also denotes life long celibacy coupled preferably with devotion to spiritual endeavors. A Brahmachari therefore is a male (and brahmacharini a female) who observes sexual abstinence unless intentionally procreating. These characteristics correspond to Western notions of the religious life as practiced in monastic settings.” Given this definition, it is easy to understand why this Yama is either skipped or downplayed in yoga classes.
However, is this the fundamental meaning or is there, perhaps, a deeper significance to the practice of brahmacharya? Swami Chinmayananda defines brahmacharya as “moving in Brahman” or “constantly remembering Pure Consciousness or God.” Using this interpretation, we can translate from Sanskrit as; charya = moving,; and, Brahman = absolute consciousness. My friend Suresh, who is a disciple of Swami Chinmayanada , also says, “As you know, Sanskrit words take on different meanings depending on the context and it could also be interpreted as ‘engaging in conduct that leads to Brahman.’ Here charya is interpreted as conduct. My teacher often pointed out that a typical side effect of constantly remembering Brahman is celibacy, since the mind is so suffused with bliss. But celibacy isn’t the primary meaning.”
Nischala Joy Devi describes brahmacharya as” the art of living a moderate life.” She further says, “For millennia, yogis who knew the importance of balance, moderation, and redirecting sexual energy developed specific practices for this purpose. They understood that we, like all of nature, ebb and flow through cycles, sometimes needing to use our sexual energy and other times to preserve it. With the surge of puritanical Western thinking, the dignity of moderation and balance became distorted…driving many of the sacred teachings underground.”
There are many interpretations of bramacharya yet most seem to point to the same idea of moderation in life. It is a moderation that extends in to everything that we do. Lust is lust whether one lusts after food, clothing, new cars, money, fame, or the opposite sex. All can come under the heading of moderation in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
So how then does marriage and married life fit into the scheme of bramacharya? Kirpal Singh, a 20th century spiritual teacher, said that marriage is no bar to spirituality if lived in accordance to the scriptures. In its strictest sense, sex is for the procreation of children. However, it is more important to be loving, kind, compassionate and giving to one’s mate.
If one of the partners chooses to live a life based in moderation and the other doesn’t, obvious conflict will result. Forcing anything in our life only leads to pain.
Real change occurs from the inside and isn’t maintainable if just for show. All of the Yamas from ahisma to brahmacharya are attained through a spiritual practice that changes us from the inside out. Taking a vow of chastity is difficult if not impossible unless the desires fall off naturally as they are replaced by a higher spiritual knowing. Then, even living a life of chastity isn’t difficult. But, until we are able to reach that level, moderation is truly the key. Eating too much chocolate will make you sick but eating a little is actually good for you.
How can we bring the practice of brahmacharya into our yoga practice? In ancient Hindu Medicine, called Ayurveda, there lays within our bodies an energy essential to the creation of Steadiness of Mind. This energy is called Ojas. Doug Keller says, “Ojas or Essence is made from the finest purified form of reproductive tissue. It nourishes and strengthens every aspect of the body and mind. It is the cause and effect of good digestion, controls the immune system and generates the body’s aura, making it lustrous.” When we learn to engage Mula Bandha, it helps us to conserve this life force. Energetically, by dropping the lower belly we spill our life force out in front of us. However, once engaged, the pelvic energy can be channeled up to the heart, the home of the indwelling Self. Then it can move up to the Sahasrara Chakra with its 1000 petal lotus and the spiritual home of the AUM. It is no wonder why the saints both past and present put so much emphasis on living a life of moderation.
Incorporating brahmacharya into our yoga practice with all of its different meanings is truly a formidable task. However engaging Mula Bandha puts us on the path to understanding this Yama. To begin, sit in an Easy Sitting Pose, Sukhasana or in Baddha Konasana. Come gently into your breath. When you feel comfortably grounded take a deep, long, inhale. Then begin your exhale. As you exhale, begin to feel the soft drawing back of your lower abdomen and the slight drawing up. When you come to the end of your exhale, see if you can exhale a little bit more. As you do, you will start to feel a deeper lift from your pelvic floor muscles. The lift isn’t a contraction of the muscles but rather a drawing up. If you contract, expansion is more difficult and the energy is blocked. Drawing up of the pelvic floor lets the energy expand and move. It can then support both your physical and energetic bodies. If you begin to feel pressure in and around your head, you are trying to hard and need to pull back. Mula Bandha takes time, patience and an active core. The best way to begin feeling Mula Bandha is to follow Barron Baptiste’s advise when he says, “There is a power in the universe more powerful than you are, and all you need to do to access it is relax, breathe, and surrender.”
You can practice Mula Bandha in all yoga poses but begin simply by standing in Mountain Pose Tadasana and find Mula Bandha. From there you can move into Sun Salutations and Warrior Poses. In inverted poses like Headstand Sirsasana, gravity can help you feel this Bandha easier than in standing poses. Just remember to go slow and feel. Joan Harrigan, a brahmacharini (monastic) in the Shankaracharya tradition of Advaita Vedanta who's also a practicing psychotherapist says, "With proper engagement of the bandha, there should be a sense of intensified vitality and greater awareness. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it!" (Yoga Journal)
Brahmacharya is perhaps the most difficult of all the Yamas to understand and practice. For me, the best way has been to open myself up to all of the various definitions that I learn about and then to create a definition that works best for me in my life. At its truest sense, I believe that Swami Chinmayananda and Sant Kirpal Singh’s definitions are the purest. Applying those ideas in life can be very challenging so I choose to add the word moderation to the mix. In that way, brahmacharya encompasses all my desires and asks me to look for moderation in those things I desire most in my life.
Enjoy your own adventure in to the Yama of Brahmacharya. Feel free to write me with your ideas. francesca.shree@me.com
As a lifelong advocate of both physical fitness and spiritual growth, Francesca finds the
practice of yoga a natural. She began studying yoga seriously 6 years ago when first
introduced to the philosophy and alignment principals of Anusara Yoga. She is now a
registered SOYA yoga instructor with a RYT 500 designation with the Yoga Alliance and is a faculty member of the South Okanagan Yoga Academy in B.C. Canada. She says, “Taking the seat of the yoga teacher is a gift and a responsibility given to me by my teachers. I take this position seriously since I now function as both student and teacher. My desire is to share my love of yoga and the philosophy that enlivens it with all my students.” She encourages people of all ages, shapes, and sizes to come to class and enjoy the many
benefits of a yoga practice.
You can email Francesca at francesca.shree@me.com or
visit her website for more information at www.shreeyoga4u.com
|
Yoga
Teacher Training Programs
