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Thread: Brahmacharya

  1. Brahmacharya

    Namaste,
    I have been trying endlessly to practise brahmacharya and have failed each time. And with Brahmacharya being one of the requisites to progress up the spiritual path, I am at pains and was wondering if there are any techniques to attain it.
    Please advice(any advice will be appreciated)
    Thank You
    Hari Om
    Last edited by Nachiketa; 30 July 2007 at 09:43 PM.

  2. #2

    Re: Brahmacharya

    I'll advice you to consider brahmacharya in the broader sense of Godly conduct, which involves practicing the yamas and niyamas or equivalently developing/practicing the divine attributes as mentioned in Gita in one's character. Focusing the mind on the narrow aspect of preserving one's semen can only lead to more mental agony to those who are unable to do so. Thus such efforts may have counter effect than what we desire. We want our mind to be in equanimity. This will make it more agitated.

    Sivaya Subramaniyaswami says that for the worldly man being urdhareta is not quite easy until a certain age, which seems quite rational.

    Yes, it is indeed true (at least I believe so) that Brahmajnanam is reserved only for the urdhvareta ~ but that doesn't mean others cannot make progress in the spiritual path (one needs to understand brahmacharya in the broader sense). Once one has made sufficient progress brahmacharya cannot be that difficult ~ i imagine.


    About practical advice the few I have heard which help in preserving the brahmacharya in the strict sense are:-

    1. Rising up before sunrise
    2. Practice of yoga and nitya upasana
    3. Bathing 3 times a day and before sleep

    and such stuff ....
    What is Here, is Elsewhere. What is not Here, is Nowhere.

  3. #3

    Re: Brahmacharya

    One should never consider brahmacharya, unless one wants to renounce the world and become an ascetic. It has nothing to do with spirituality. The pandavas were not brahmacharyas, yet they're considered to be some of the greatest devotees of the Lord.

    Bottom line, I think this whole idea of BC is overrated. Too much importance is given to it in the name of spirituality. DEvotion to God is more than enough.

  4. Re: Brahmacharya

    Thank You both, sm78 and Suresh.
    I guess it is a question of balance too, and that is what eludes me. Sometimes I feel as if the 2nd chakra is in overdrive.
    Will wait for the divine grace.
    Hari Om
    Nachiketa

  5. #5

    Re: Brahmacharya

    Quote Originally Posted by Nachiketa View Post
    I guess it is a question of balance too
    I think it is all about balance and so i hear from persons who are successful at it. Hectic modern life hardly lends itself to any balance. Sometimes too much work, sometimes no work, too much fun, too much boredom...
    What is Here, is Elsewhere. What is not Here, is Nowhere.

  6. Re: Brahmacharya

    Quote Originally Posted by sm78 View Post
    I'll advice you to consider brahmacharya in the broader sense of Godly conduct, which involves practicing the yamas and niyamas or equivalently developing/practicing the divine attributes as mentioned in Gita in one's character. Focusing the mind on the narrow aspect of preserving one's semen can only lead to more mental agony to those who are unable to do so. Thus such efforts may have counter effect than what we desire. We want our mind to be in equanimity. This will make it more agitated.

    Sivaya Subramaniyaswami says that for the worldly man being urdhareta is not quite easy until a certain age, which seems quite rational.

    Yes, it is indeed true (at least I believe so) that Brahmajnanam is reserved only for the urdhvareta ~ but that doesn't mean others cannot make progress in the spiritual path (one needs to understand brahmacharya in the broader sense). Once one has made sufficient progress brahmacharya cannot be that difficult ~ i imagine.


    About practical advice the few I have heard which help in preserving the brahmacharya in the strict sense are:-

    1. Rising up before sunrise
    2. Practice of yoga and nitya upasana
    3. Bathing 3 times a day and before sleep

    and such stuff ....

    Wonder if you could elaborate more on this( and such stuff..........) ?

  7. #7
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    Re: Brahmacharya

    Hari Om
    ~~~~~~


    Namaste,

    I would like to offer a different view on this matter... please, I am not selling anything here. We all have our values on how to live and I have no agenda here other then to offer diffferent viewpoints for your consideration.

    It is important to share different perspectives, yes? Then one can exercise this gift of free will that has been given to us. So, let me do this in two parts below and two ideas. Please comment and give your POV as you see fit.

    Part 1
    Brahmacharya . What is this? we know that Brahman is fullness, the all, Bhuma. Charya is conduct. So , both put together is the conduct of Brahman.
    Many have been taught that brahmacharya is continence, and this is true. Let me add a few dimensions to this. Via continence (or the practice thereof) brings the fruit of tapas and is equal to yajya or yagya, worship. Yet the knower of truth that practices self-control ( another form of brahmacharya, no doubt) attains the same benefits as vedic rituals.

    This ritual is sattrayana - Sat ( truth) + trana (safety), another form of continence and self control. Some say Sat is Being + tryana, or the benefits of protection in every way. So, one is protected by Being-Truth, in every way through this vedic yagya and can also be accomplished by [ and therefore equal to dispensing] self-control.

    Now, what is of great import to me is the observance of silence, maunam is also = to brahmacharya. Why so? it is silencing of the senses. Now what is the Supreme silience? the contact with Atman. And when can this be done? Sitting quietly, transcending during meditation. Hence, meditation is silence and is = to brahmacharya = yajya. Hence, being in and practicing silence is of great value. This gaining infinite silence within oneself is yajya.

    What else? Anasakyana or that of fasting. It too is the silencing of the senses. It is said that if one can contol the tongue, one can master one's self. This anasakyana = self contol = brahmacharya = yajya and all the benefits one can gain from this.

    Another? vanaprastha, some say aranyayana or that of forest dwelling, really living alone or seclusion. This is the silencing of the senses (social intercourse) and one gains great benefit. This too is = to self control = brahmacharya=yagya. This can be done at home too during meditation. There is only one, you, going inward and becoming one with turiya, 'giving up' duality for one, this is yajya.

    Hence - self control is = to yajya =sattrayana=Brahmacharya (and can be performed while at home). Is it strenuous tapas? I do not think so, Yet choices need to be made, the exercise of freedom to choose. Continence is not always the curtailing sexual driving power, yet one of self control, and the selection thereof.


    Part 2 - What does Patanjali say of this? Why would one pursue continence?

    [from Discourse II: "Sadhana Pada- On Spiritual Disciplines"] verse 38. BRAHMACARYA-PRATISTHAYAM VIRYA-LABHAH 'When brahmcharya, or sexual continence, is firmly established, vibrant vitality is gained.'

    When sexual energy is preserved it is converted into ojas, or spiritual energy. This ojas is such a radiant force that it uplifts all who come into contact with the 'brahmachari'.

    I found this to be interesting ...in this society so much attention is put on this part of life i.e. passion and sexual activity ( one only needs to go to the magazine rack these days to see what is on the front covers ). This passion and application draws much energy ( ojas) from the body. Yet in the West - viagra [the product] for impotence is offered and advertised regualarly onTV, rado, magazines.

    In Patanjali's sutras he points out "Vairagya" which is the progression of dis-passion , which is the opposite of viagra for "passion" and arousal.
    In the highest state Vairagya - there is no desires for any object - either passion/emotion or the desire for objects. Therefore its called Para-Vairagha and is the means for Asamprajnata Samadhi.

    This is why brahmacharaya is part of Yama and Niyama - its not a question of sex being bad, its all about building the foundation for Samadhi.





    Tarati shokam atmavit - Established in the Self, one overcomes sorrows and suffering...Chhandogya Upanishad

    pranams,
    यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

  8. #8

    Smile Re: Brahmacharya

    Quote Originally Posted by Nachiketa View Post
    Namaste,
    I have been trying endlessly to practise brahmacharya and have failed each time. And with Brahmacharya being one of the requisites to progress up the spiritual path, I am at pains and was wondering if there are any techniques to attain it.
    Please advice(any advice will be appreciated)
    Thank You
    Hari Om
    Om Shirdi Sai Ram.
    Namaste Nachiketa.
    1)Lord Hanuman (Maruti) is a celibate.
    After worshipping Lord Ganesha you may start doing parayan of
    Hanuman Chalisa or Sundara Kandam(Sage Valimiki's is the original version.)
    Benefits : If you regularly do parayan of the above mentioned scriptures you will also get those thoughts.The more intense your devotion is,the more benefit you will accrue.
    2)Read books of Swami Vivekananda or Shri Shirdi Sai Baba.(The name of the book is "Sai Sat Charita").
    3)A Guru is a must to guide you.If you unable to find a Guru,you may consider Lord Hanuman as your Guru.

  9. #9

    Re: Brahmacharya

    Namaste,
    Many thanks to Yajvan ji and Arvind Sivaraman ji, your advice certainly helps. I will keep trying.

    The difficulty arises when you watch movies or TV. Due to family/societal pressures one cannot help it (sometimes) but watch them, as, at this stage of my spiritual evolution I do not want to attract unnecessary attention to this spiritual aspect of my life.

    Pranams
    Last edited by Nachiketa; 07 August 2007 at 04:54 PM.

  10. #10
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    Re: Brahmacharya

    Hari Om
    ~~~~~

    Quote Originally Posted by Nachiketa View Post
    Namaste,
    your advice certainly helps. I will keep trying. Pranams
    Namaskar Nachiketa,

    nothing says you have to do everything all at once... this brings stress and strain. If you look at the list proposed, or things that Arvind may have suggested, what there is comfortable to start with? It's like building a house , yes? we get a foundation, then the frame, then the walls, etc.

    Choose where you want to start... then try. When you fall, we pick ourselves back up and start again.

    You will be fine, but the journey only starts when one takes the first step.

    pranams,
    Last edited by yajvan; 01 August 2007 at 02:10 PM.
    यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

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