BRAHMACHARYA - 26. OUTLOOK OF CONSCIOUSNESS - Sri Swami Sivanda - The Practice of Celibacy

BRAHMACHARYA - 26. OUTLOOK OF CONSCIOUSNESS - Sri Swami Sivanda - The Practice of Celibacy - HQ Full Book.

Brahma-Charya: An Outlook of Consciousness - By Swami Krishnananda.

Brahma-Charya, often misunderstood in its narrow sense as mere celibacy or abstinence from sensual pleasures, is a profound and expansive concept in spiritual practice. Swami Krishnananda delves deeply into its true meaning, explaining it as the "conduct of the Absolute." The term "Brahman" refers to the Supreme Being or the Absolute Reality, and "Charya" denotes conduct or behavior. Therefore, Brahma-Charya can be understood as the behavior or conduct of the Supreme Being, which is universal, impersonal, and beyond individual desires or attachments. To understand and embody Brahma-Charya, one must strive to align their consciousness with the Supreme, transcending personal inclinations and seeking a broader, more universal outlook. 

The Supreme Outlook of Brahma-Charya
At its core, Brahma-Charya is about aligning one's actions, thoughts, and energy with the conduct of the Absolute. This means adopting an impersonal attitude that reflects the way the Supreme Spirit interacts with the universe. Brahman, or God, is not personally attached to anything in the world, even though It is universally connected to all things. Brahma-Charya, therefore, involves a shift from a personalized, ego-driven perspective to a more impersonal and universal one. It is about adjusting one's personality and consciousness to this broader, more inclusive way of being, letting go of particularized emotions or judgments about the world. As Swami Krishnananda explains, Brahma-Charya is not merely a set of external practices but an integrated way of living. It is an outlook of consciousness, an attitude of the personality, and a fundamental interpretation of reality. This deeper understanding of Brahma-Charya goes beyond the superficial notion of celibacy and points to a more profound spiritual discipline that involves conserving one's energy and redirecting it toward higher, universal goals. 

Energy and Consciousness
The relationship between energy and consciousness is central to understanding Brahma-Charya. According to Swami Krishnananda, whenever the mind focuses its attention on a particular object or direction, it draws the Prana, or life energy, towards that object. This process can lead to the diversion of energy from its higher, spiritual potential into worldly pursuits. This diversion of energy is problematic, as it scatters the mind and weakens the individual’s ability to concentrate on more universal goals, such as meditation on the Supreme. For example, when one becomes emotionally attached to an object or idea, whether it be a person, an object of desire, or a concept, they are essentially "transferring" their consciousness and energy to that object. This leads to a loss of self, as the individual becomes absorbed in the object of desire, momentarily losing their sense of inner unity. The attachment to objects, whether psychological or sensory, creates what Patanjali calls the "Klishta Vritti" or "painful fluctuations of the mind." This creates a cycle of energy dissipation, leading to a constant sense of restlessness and distraction. 

The Diversion of Energy
In the practice of Brahma-Charya, the key to spiritual success is the conservation and proper redirection of energy. When one is attached to objects or emotions, their energy is scattered, much like a river flowing in many directions instead of one focused stream. Every attachment or distraction, whether it be a momentary desire or a deep emotional response, leads to the dissipation of energy. Swami Krishnananda compares this to a "torrential Ganga," where the energies of the individual are in constant tumult, moving away from their true goal of spiritual liberation. The practice of Brahma-Charya involves focusing the mind and energy toward a...