We are now beginning our segment on “brahmacharya” commonly translated as right energy or celibacy. Brahmacharya is one of the 5 Niyamas or internal duties of a yoga student. Let’s take a moment to study the words a bit.
“Brahma” is the Sanskrit word for the Creator, one of the major gods of Creation in the Hindu and Vedic pantheon, referenced as early as 3,000 years ago (or 1,000 years BCE) and as late as 2,000 years ago around the start of the Common Era.
As my friend taught us, Hinduism is a form of polymorphic monotheism. You can understand that all the deities are different faces or forms of the ultimate divine; so we can understand “Brahma” as the divine.
“Charya” is the Sanskrit word for behavior. “Brahmacharya” can be understood as ‘behaviors that lead to the divine’. It is most commonly connected with sexual restraint; for the unmarried to practice celibacy, and the married to practice fidelity.
More recently, it has been expanded to ‘right energy’ - not just in sexual restraint, but also in regards to eating, alcohol use or television consumption. When we get caught in the cycle of gratification and seeking for these things, we dissipate our energies and and are not able to focus on spiritual teachings, practice or investigation.
So, let’s take a couple moments to reflect on your connection with the divine. Do you believe there is a divine source? A universal power or energy? (pause)
If you can conceive of a divine or universal source, how or when do you experience connection to the divine? Is it during prayer, in nature, during mass, over your morning cup of tea or coffee, during kirtan, playing with your children, in your garden, at night, in the morning, in meditation or during yoga class? Is it all the time, or just sometimes? Some moments louder than others? (pause)
It can be lovely to think about having a relationship with the divine. What is your relationship with the divine? Is it generally positive, a bit iffy, is there some resentment, do you feel some anxious or avoidant tendencies? (pause)
One story resonated with me, which I’ll share here.
A woman went into the forest, passionately seeking to connect with Krishna, her personification of the divine. She found a quiet spot and wept and prayed, calling out for Krishna. Krishna arrived, and tapped her on the shoulder. With her eyes closed, she shrugged him away, “Don’t disturb me!” she barked, “can’t you see I’m waiting for Krishna?” In this story, Krishna tapped her a couple more times on the shoulder before leaving.
What behaviors do you think would bring you closer to the divine? Are there some times when maybe, the divine connection is there - but you’re distracted? How could you make more space to notice or be present with the divine?
Let’s get into our felt sense with the divine a bit more through meditation. We’ll get started with a body scan, to cleanse the palette of our mind and body.
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