The Fourth Yama: Brahmacarya

June 23,2008

The fourth Yama or Restraint is Brahmacarya, which traditionally is the name given to the practice of celibacy. Historically yogis renounced the life of a householder, choosing to forsake marriage and family to live the life of a renunciate in forrest communities. Rather than repress their sexual energy, they would consciously transmute this energy for higher spiritual pursuits.

In the last few hundred years it has become more accepted that yogis may also choose the life of a householder, marry and have family and simultaneously pursue spiritual liberation.

In modern times we often translate Brahmacarya to mean control of sensual pleasures or integrity in relationship to one's sexuality. It may be a bit of a stretch to contemplate celibacy for most people, but we can all relate to the importance of exercising self-control and respecting oneself and others.

The sexual force is very powerful and has been the downfall of many otherwise respectable men and women, including many modern day gurus. Most of us have experienced the distraction, pain and jealousy, often caused by sexual obsession with another. It can be all consuming. It therefore makes sense that Yogis used to choose to opt out of this area of life altogether and to use their energies for contemplation, study of the scriptures and meditation.

Most of us do not want to hold our sexuality up to the light and examine it, as we hold it very dear, almost to the point of being sacred. We do not want to examine the depth of our bondage to this overwhelming force of nature.

If we wish to practice Brahmacarya we should endeavor to contemplate how enslaved we are by our sexuality. We can begin to observe the instinctive and primal movement of this very compelling and instinctive force within us. Through beginning to question these very intense emotions, we can start to loosen their hold over us and begin to see through them. We may also start to question our roles as men and as women, and notice when we use our sexuality to manipulate, often in subtle or unconscious ways.

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