Brahmacharya

So, in yoga teacher training, we each have to pick one of the 8 limbs of Raja Yoga and lead a discussion on it.

My topic is Brahmacharya .... which was picked last for some odd reason . . . But its one of the five limbs of "do nots" (and there's also five observances). The Dos and DoNots are part of only two of the limbs of Raja Yoga (if you were trying to keep up count)
But brahmacharya basically promotes celibacy when single and faithfulness in marriage. And this extends to keeping your thoughts pure when it comes to other married folk. Also includes no masturbation, perverse sexual acts, etc.

- The 8 "Limbs" of Raja Yoga are somethign that need to be developed as a whole. You cant master one and move on to the next. Just like our body: You dont grow right arm, then left arm, then right leg, then left leg - it all grows together. (applicable to the gospel)

- In a broader sense, brahmacharya is about having control over all of your senses (and desires). Not just in action, but in thought and word as well. Just because you are celibate does not mean that you have achieved brahmacharya.

- sexual energy is an energy. and males and females should harness their sexual energy and put it forth for something fruitful and not towards ejaculation or what have you.
I think this is true as well. How many times do you see people who dont get sex have to go work out or something to put that "energy" somewhere else?

- Some people get really.. you know, weird, with this stuff. and say that when a male ejaculates, it is (in a sense) god/creation in motion. so we should treat this action with respect and sacredness. Not in a toilet with a playboy, ya know?

- Celibacy: spiritual growth is as electricity: lightbulb
Or you could look at celibacy as a weapon to things that halt our spiritual growth. Having control over desires will stop things like lust, greed, anger, jealousy and so on. Just as you cannot draw a picture without a wall, paper, or something to draw on - you cant have health and spiritual life without celibacy.

Man, with his boasted intellect, has to learn lessons from birds and animals. Even animals have more self-control than men. It is only the so-called man who has degraded himself much by indulgence. At the heat of sexual excitement, he repeats the same ignoble act again and again. He has not a bit of self-control. He is an absolute slave to passion. He is a puppet in the hands of passion. Like rabbits he procreates and brings forth countless children to swell up the number of beggars in the world. Lions, elephants, bulls and other powerful animals have better self-control than men. Lions cohabit only once in a year. After conception, the female animals will never allow the male animal to approach them till the young ones are weaned and they themselves become healthy and strong. Man only violates the laws of nature and consequently suffers from innumerable diseases. He has degenerated to a level far lower than that of animals in this respect.


Engaging in the 8 limbs ... will ultimately lead to self awareness.
Take away your fears.
Take away your desires.
Take away your hopes.
Take away your dreams.
Take away everything.
And then, who are you?