Saturday Morning Sanskrit: Bramacharya

This week we’re talking about the fourth Yama: Bramacharya.

Quick refresher: The Yamas are found in The Yoga Sutras. They provide a guideline for social behaviors. Click on the links below for thoughts on the first three:

1.  Ahimsa: non-harming
2. Satya: non-lieing
3. Asteya: non-stealing

Not many people can argue with those, but then comes Bramacharya. It’s been translated as continence, celibacy and control of the senses. Obviously there are a lot of different ways to look at this one. I like these words:  “it means responsible behavior with respect to our goal of moving toward the truth”. 

My teachers have said that Bramacharya means respect for sexual energy. That might mean keeping your distance from a friend’s hubby or covering up around certain people at the beach. The first and most important Yama is Ahimsa, non-harming. It’s kind of like the rest are sub-categories of non-harming. It’s great to enjoy life, but it’s our job to do it in a respectful, loving way. And of course this applies to yourself as well. Are we staying true to ourselves? Are we holding ourselves with the highest regard? Do we expect the same from others?

Thoughts on this one?