Self-Restraint (BRAHMACHARYA)
Brahmacharya is the constant practice of good character in both thought and
deed. One who practices Brahmacharya is one who has
a godly character. Such a noble human being does not entertain dog-like thoughts
or engage in dog-like activities like lusting around for sexual gratification
outside the bounds of marriage. As everyone knows, dogs do not marry one another;
instead, they are constantly shifting mates as they sniff around to fulfill their
instinctual desires. Human beings on the other hand, carefully choose their lifelong
partner and temper their sexual drive with self-discipline, self-awareness, and
self-sacrifice. In other words, they put the other first and do not carelessly
follow their mind and ego. One who practices
Brahmacharya takes instruction from his (or her) higher
nature and is not ruled by the lower nature. Through the practices of self-study
and self-discipline they discern what is good for their own well-being as well
as the genuine well-being of others, and they conduct themselves accordingly.
In other words, they practice self-containment and not self-contamination. They
are careful not to contaminate their minds with pornographic materials (in the
various fields of publishing, video/cinema, and fashion), and choose to remain
pure. Brahmacharya is the constant conscious choice to remain pure. It is the deliberate
practice of purity in thought and action. Everyone
has samskaras (impressions) from many, many incarnations,
and along with these samskaras are associated many vasanas
(tendencies) which are manifested according to favorable conditions. When negative
tendencies arise we must arise to the occasion and assert our higher nature, otherwise,
we will become enmeshed in our lower nature. A negative tendency is any tendency
that leads to self-destruction. In other words, any tendency that destroys our
peace of mind, our mental equilibrium, and our physical health must be eradicated
from our lives. Negative tendencies are
overcome by inverse propagation, or counter-effort. To utterly destroy the bad
samskaras and their associated vasanas
(tendencies) one must engage the mind in intense concentration and Samadhi.
Ultimately, the purpose of Brahmacharya
is to lead the living soul to Supreme Consciousness (Maha
Chetana). We can never experience Supreme Consciousness
if we are caught up in ‘zipper- consciousness.’ When people’s minds are fixed
on genitalia, they lose their gentle nature and become more and more vicious and
dog-like and less and less god-like. We
have seen many a ‘little red riding hood’ eaten up by wolves dressed in saffron
robes, black robes, and white robes. The true sign of purity is not in the color
of one’s clothes or the perfection of one’s pretenses, but in the practice of
good character and the perfection of one’s nature. Brahmacharya is the practice of godly character—the practice of good character—in
all ones thoughts and actions. Those who practice Brahmacharya will perfect their nature over time and attain
the highest state of Consciousness.
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