Brahmacharya

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Brahmacharya literally means "conduct consistent with Brahman", "on the path of Brahman" or “behavior that leads to Brahman”.

Although Brahmacharya is often understood as "chasity" or "celibacy", it is actually much more than that.

 

Brahmacharya, a discipline of controlling the senses, is seen as a way to liberation. Though sexual restraint is a part of Brahmacharya, Brahmacharya encompasses all striving toward a passionless state.

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Brahmacharya is the first of four Ashrama (age-based stages) of a human life. The Brahmacharya (bachelor student) stage of life – from childhood up to twenty-five years of age – was focused on education and included the practice of celibacy. In this context, it connotes chastity during the student stage of life for the purposes of learning from a Guru (teacher), and during later stages of life for the purposes of attaining spiritual liberation (Moksha).

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If the meaning of Brahmacharya is sensory control, why is chasity & celibacy often the focus? The reason is because during sex, all the senses (sight, smell, taste, sound, touch & imagination) are being integrated & activated. Brahmacharya is about the “right usage of energy”, redirecting your energy to more wholesome endeavours.

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Even in other religions and spiritual practices, the respective intepretation of Brahmacharya is highly emphasized. Sexual activity, including lewd thoughts and wasteful ejeculation via masturbation, expends your vital energy - physical, mental & spiritual.

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By practising abstinence, there will not be any leakage of your Ojas, thus maximizing the efficiency of your mind & body.

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(Research: Semen Retention).

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