Guest guest Report post Posted October 2, 2002 This below is from the book "Six Systems of Vedic Philosophy (Nyaya, Vaisesika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta)" compiled by HH Suhotra Swami, fifth chapter entitled "Yoga: Self-Discipline for Self-Realization". Brahmacarya. Brahmacarya literally means 'to act in Brahman.' One whose life's actions are always executed in the consciousness of 'I am not the body' is called a brahmacari. The word brahmacarya is commonly translated as 'sexual abstinence,' but celibacy is only a partial explanation of this word. Sexual continence in itself is not the goal; the goal is to control the senses in order to achieve deeper levels of inner awareness. Patanjala Yoga takes brahmacarya in a wider sense to mean selectively performing only those activities that are helpful in achieving the highest goal of life. Brahmacarya is possible only when the mind is free from all sensuous desires, especially the sexual urge, which is the most powerful and which can be most destructive if not directed and channeled properly. Illicit sexual activity dissipates vital energy that is to be utilized for the attainment of higher consciousness. For achieving this goal, the Yoga system advises one to organize all his sensory forces and to utilize them in a proper and beneficial way. It teaches control of sensual cravings in order to attain that inner peace and happiness that is greater than all transient bodily pleasures. Uncontrolled senses weaken the mind, and a weakened mind has no capacity to concentrate in one direction or on one object. A person with a mind weakened by lust fails to think properly, to speak properly, or to act properly. For higher attainment, one therefore has to withdraw his energies from the petty charms and temptations of sensory objects and convert the flow of the life force toward higher consciousness. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
