The Celibacy Convolution
The Celibacy Convolution – an article by Mukara
Brahmacharya or the vow of celibacy is a big part of many spiritual traditions. Many books and talks of mahatmas do stress its importance. It is indeed a ‘sine qua non’ of the ‘Raja Yoga’ path.
Many spiritual aspirants in the early stage of their sadhana do not understand the whole dimension of brahmacharya (celibacy) and hence get frustrated and conflicted.
This is the most difficult vow to maintain. Lust simply cannot be conquered overnight.
It takes a lot of effort in the right direction with changes to our lifestyle to maintain brahmacharya.
First factor is diet. The food should be sathvic and not spicy or salty. Foods that incite passions like garlic should be completely avoided. Not only that, the quantity should also be regulated – taking right quantity at right intervals.
Next, the various diversions of the world like indulging in worldly entertainment, music, dance, plays should be completely avoided. Generally, if someone is 100% serious about celibacy, any interaction or company of even the ‘family’ or ‘householders’ need to be minimal. Interaction with the opposite gender need to be bare minimum.
With such a lifestyle, breath control (Pranayama) and spiritual sadhanas like ‘Nama Japam’ need to be done rigorously. Only then is it possible to maintain the brahmacharya at least to some extent.
So it is not a matter to get frustrated over. This desire is embedded as a basic need. Just like food and water. Hence, it is not an easy task to overcome this.
Without the above way of life, just talking about it or wishing it without backing it up with right action and conduct makes brahmacharya vow a mere pipe dream.
One cannot sit and stand at the same time, can he? Without the aforementioned lifestyle, it is not possible to maintain celibacy even to some extent.
Simply declaring to take the vow of celibacy and not following the supporting lifestyle will only result in frustration. A serious sadhak/aspirant needs to start focusing on the right actions/sadhanas to maintain brahmacharya at least to some extent.
– By Mukara
