Greetings Yogis and
Yoginis,
This week in class we will be exploring brahmacharya, the fourth Yama.
This week in class we will be exploring brahmacharya, the fourth Yama.
The Yamas or universal principles of life are: not hurting oneself or
others (ahimsa); discovering the truth for oneself (satya); not stealing or
accepting unearned income (asteya); living the awareness of the ultimate
reality (brahmacharya); and non-attachment to possessions (aparigraha).
Brahmacharya. Found in Yoga
Sutra: 2:30
Brahman is a Sanskrit word, and the root meaning of the word Brahman is
“that which contains an inexhaustible potential for creativity.” The other part of the word Brahmacharya is
acarya. The word carya is derived from
the root car – “to walk, to move, to live.”
Carya means “the way of living.”
Brahmacharya is the way of living in which you are always aware of the
Divinity, of the Supreme Intelligence.
Brahmacharya is living a life dedicated to the awareness of Divinity.
Brahmacharya is dedication to the understanding of Divinity. Brahmacharya implies perception of Divinity,
understanding the nature of Divinity, and living in the awareness of Divinity.
It is a triple dedication to the perception, to the understanding, and
to the awareness of Divinity. This is
the literal meaning of the word brahmacharya.
The meaning of the word brahmacharya got limited to “celibacy,
continence, refraining from sex life.”
But this is an interpretation imposed by commentators. Celibacy is a very limited thing. Dedication to the awareness of Divinity,
dedication to the understanding of Divinity can be possible even in married
life. Married life or sexual
relationship, if it is not distorted, if it is not compulsive sex, obsessive
sexuality, if it is a normal, sane, healthy part of human life. It cannot be an obstacle or a hurdle to the
dedication to the Truth of Life.
References: Glimpses of Raja Yoga - Vimala Thakar
Homework: Consider the
concept of Brahmacharya
as presented. What does it mean to
practice Ahimsa, Satya, and Asteya in relation to Brahmacharya.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal,
and Vancouver Washington
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