Discover the True Meaning of Brahmacharya!

### **Core Themes**

#### **1. The Pervasiveness of Sexuality**
- Sivananda highlights that the world is deeply influenced by sexuality and ego: *“The world is all sexy.”*
- Sexual desire is described as a powerful instinct affecting the mind, body, senses, and prana (life force). It leads people away from spiritual focus and devotion to God.

#### **2. The Destructive Nature of Lust**
- Lust is seen as the root of many evils, destroying vitality, peace, wisdom, and devotion.
- Sexual indulgence weakens the body and mind, causing restlessness, attachment, and loss of self-control.

#### **3. Brahmacharya as a Necessity**
- Brahmacharya is essential for spiritual growth and identification with the divine: *“He who has completely eradicated lust is Brahman or God Himself.”*
- Overcoming lust requires both divine grace and personal effort: *“Lust can only be eradicated by the grace of the Lord.”*

#### **4. The Mechanism of Sexual Desire**
- Sexual desire is described as a *“nervous itch”* that brings fleeting pleasure but harms spiritual well-being.
- The attraction to the opposite sex is driven by rajas (passion) and can escalate into uncontrollable passion.

#### **5. The Eight Types of Sensual Indulgence**
Sivananda outlines eight behaviors that should be avoided to practice Brahmacharya:
1. Gazing at others with lustful intent (*Darshan*).
2. Touching them (*Sparshan*).
3. Playing or joking inappropriately (*Keli*).
4. Praising their qualities (*Kirtan*).
5. Private conversations (*Guhya-Bhashan*).
6. Entertaining lustful thoughts (*Sankalpa*).
7. Pursuing intimacy (*Adhyavasaya*).
8. Engaging in sexual acts (*Kriyanivritti*).

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### **Practical Methods for Controlling Sexual Energy**

#### **1. Discipline in Diet**
- Avoid stimulating foods like meat and spicy dishes: *“Control of the tongue is essential to control lust.”*

#### **2. Avoid Bad Company**
- Stay away from people who encourage sexual thoughts or behaviors.

#### **3. Vigilance Over Thoughts**
- Replace sexual thoughts with divine ones immediately.

#### **4. Seek Spiritual Company**
- Surround yourself with spiritually advanced individuals (*Satsanga*).

#### **5. Cultivate Detachment**
- Practice *Viveka* (discernment) and *Vairagya* (dispassion) to detach from worldly desires.

#### **6. Make a Vow**
- Taking a vow of chastity strengthens commitment to Brahmacharya.

#### **7. Strengthen Willpower**
- Use autosuggestion and affirmations to reprogram the mind.

#### **8. Shift Perspectives**
- See the divine in all beings: *“See Atman in all women.”*

#### **9. Yogic Practices**
- Practices like Pranayama, Asanas (e.g., Sirshasana and Sarvangasana), Mula Bandha, and Vajroli Mudra help sublimate sexual energy.

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### **Mental Purity: The Heart of Brahmacharya**
- Mental celibacy is as important as physical celibacy: *“The mind is the real doer of all actions.”*
- True mental purity means not allowing any sexual thought to arise: *“This state of mind is called mental Brahmacharya.”*

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### **The Role of Grace and Effort**
- A combination of divine grace and human effort is necessary for overcoming lust.
- Complete surrender to God is seen as the fastest path to transformation: *“If you totally surrender, the Divine Mother performs your Sadhana for you.”*

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### **Stories and Examples**
Sivananda shares inspiring examples:
- Figures like Bhishma and Hanuman embody the power of Brahmacharya.
- Stories of Raja Yayati and Jaimini illustrate the destructive nature of lust.

He also stresses the importance of keeping busy to control desires: *“Engagement is the best way to control lust.”*

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### **Brahmacharya for Householders**
- While ideal Brahmacharya is emphasized for monks, married individuals are advised to live with moderation and fidelity to support spiritual growth.

#### **The Role of Women**
- Women are encouraged to practice Brahmacharya for their physical and spiritual well-being.
- Sivananda stresses the importance of transcending material focus for both men and women.

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### **Vedantic Vision**
- The body and sexual ideas are mental creations. True identity lies in the Atman (the eternal Self).
- Eliminating the *“sex idea”* leads to liberation (Moksha): *“The entire purpose of spiritual practice is to destroy this one idea.”*

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### **Key Quotes**
- *“Lust is a great obstacle on the spiritual path.”*
- *“A true Brahmachari, in thought, word, and deed, possesses incredible mental power and can move the world.”*
- *“When the first thought is: ‘I am a man, and here is a woman,’ something is fundamentally wrong.”*

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