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 single, unified goal, which is the realization of the Supreme. It requires detaching from the distractions of the world and not allowing the mind to be pulled in multiple directions by external influences. By cultivating this awareness and redirecting the energy that would otherwise be dissipated, an individual can achieve a deeper state of concentration, leading to the realization of universal consciousness. 

The Role of Attachment and Desire
Swami Krishnananda explores the psychological roots of attachment and desire, showing how they perpetuate the diversion of energy. Desires are born out of the mind’s attachment to particular objects, whether sensory, intellectual, or emotional. The mind, in its attachment, forms what Patanjali calls the "Klishta Vritti"—a disturbing modification of consciousness that arises from the emotional reaction to external stimuli. This modification disturbs the peace of the mind and leads to further attachments, creating a cycle of desire and distraction. For example, when an individual is confronted with an object they find beautiful or desirable, their mind becomes engrossed in that object. This leads to an emotional and mental attachment to the object, causing the energy to flow outward toward it. The more one is attracted to the object, the more energy is diverted from the higher pursuit of self-realization. The process of detaching from these attachments and redirecting energy is at the heart of Brahma-Charya. 

Conservation of Energy for Spiritual Growth
Swami Krishnananda emphasizes that the practice of Brahma-Charya is essential for spiritual progress, particularly in the context of meditation and concentration. In order to concentrate the mind on the higher objective of realizing the Supreme, one must conserve their energy by avoiding unnecessary attachments and distractions. This energy is not only necessary for deep concentration but is also crucial for the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation or Brahma-Sakshatkara—direct realization of the Supreme. The popular understanding of Brahma-Charya as celibacy is a misunderstanding, according to Swami Krishnananda. Celibacy, in its common form, refers to abstinence from sexual activity, but this is only one aspect of the practice. True Brahma-Charya is not about abstaining from marriage or sensual pleasures per se, but rather about conserving the energy that would otherwise be dissipated through attachment or desire. Whether married or single, the true practitioner of Brahma-Charya focuses on redirecting their energy toward spiritual goals, cultivating a disciplined and detached approach to life. 

Distraction and the Pressure of the Individual
One of the key insights in the teachings of Brahma-Charya is that the individual is a center of psychological pressure. The mind and body experience constant stresses and strains, and these are often expressed through desires and attachments. These stresses arise from the separation between the individual and the natural order, and the desire to reunite with the divine is the ultimate motivation behind all desires. However, the methods individuals use to relieve their stress are often misguided, leading to further attachment and suffering. Swami Krishnananda teaches that the key to relieving stress and tension is not through the fulfillment of desires but through the practice of detachment and concentration. By conserving energy and focusing on the ultimate goal of spiritual realization, the individual can transcend the cycle of desire and suffering, achieving true peace and liberation. 

The Havoc Wrought by the Externalizing Senses
Finally, Swami Krishnananda warns against the externalizing of consciousness through the senses. The senses, when not controlled, constantly seek external objects, creating further distractions and desires. The objects of the world speak to us in a psychological language, evoking particular reactions based on our individual interpretations and attachments. The key to spiritual growth is to see things as they truly are, without the distortions of personal desire or emotional attachment. Brahma-Charya, then, is not just a practice of physical or mental discipline—it is a comprehensive approach to life that seeks to align the individual’s consciousness with the Supreme. It involves conserving and redirecting energy, detaching from worldly distractions, and cultivating an impersonal outlook that reflects the universal and non-personal nature of the Absolute. Through this practice, one can achieve the ultimate goal of spiritual realization, transcending the cycle of desire and attachment and realizing the true nature of the self and the universe. 

In conclusion, Brahma-Charya is far more than a simple practice of celibacy or self-restraint. It is a profound discipline that involves the conservation of energy, the purification of the mind, and the cultivation of a universal consciousness. By adopting the conduct of the Absolute and redirecting our energies toward spiritual realization, we can achieve true liberation and align ourselves with the divine order of the universe.

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