Brahmacharya is the path where one rises from body consciousness to a higher consciousness. As he does, his interest in the pleasures and needs of the physical body diminish.
Instead, his mind-attention-interests graduate to serving ‘others’ or creativity, bhakti or sadhana…towards adhyatma (spirituality)…
Many correlate brahmacharya with celibacy. While celibacy is an important part of brahmacharya, ideally, it should not be forced upon oneself.
When one forces oneself to practice brahmacharya via abstention from sex etc he might manage for a period but if his mind has not been attracted to and established on something ‘bigger’, more ‘powerful’ more ‘beautiful’ than the tiny pleasures of sex, chances are his brahmacharya will neither last nor really bring any real benefits. It might actually succeed in something quite the opposite of what was intended.
Having been unable to experience the pleasures of the flesh, what is the guarantee that his mind was not drawn even more powerfully towards the very same pleasures that he was fighting to deny or overcome? That’s the reason, Osho in particular advised so much indulgence in it that one’s fascination with the flesh and its attractions may be diluted for good. Then, one can embark on serious and true Brahmacharya…
Celibacy or semen retention are important in conserving some of the most ‘potent’ fluids in the body. But celibacy of the body is incomplete without the celibacy of the mind! The mind should be freed from the attraction to pleasures of the flesh and stop dwelling on experiencing them.
To raise oneself from body consciousness or to embark on true brahmacharya, one is helped immensely by his pranamaya kosh or ‘energy body’. When one starts focusing his attention on his breath, he effectively begins to raise himself from body consciousness and moves to energy consciousness because the breath is a vehicle for energy.
This is perhaps, the easiest way to overcome body consciousness and the pleasures or experiences connected with the flesh and body!
A brahmachari or follower of brahmacharya will be largely freed from the need to indulge in sex or masturbation or even porn etc. He will also not be as interested in food or stuffing himself with food as he might once have been. That doesn’t mean he can never enjoy his food. He can! It’s just that he won’t hanker after it or overindulge when served ‘delicious’ food. A certain balance will automatically come in his consumption. Additionally, his ability to be less affected by temperature will be noticeable. Again, it’s not a universal condition but something he will move towards gradually!
Naturally, these things just happen! There’s no need to force them. Ultimately, brahmacharya or no brahmacharya, it’s important to grow spiritually! And, spiritual growth is impossible when the ego-mind-emotions trio are overactive!
Notice them in yourself, especially if you’re trying to follow the wondrous path of Brahmacharya, and make sure you don’t fall prey often or easily to them (the ego-mind-emotions trio).
– rajyogi (rajesh kanoi)
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