BRAHMACHARYA - 20. POWERFUL AIDS TO PRACTICE OF CELIBACY - Sri Swami Sivanda - The Practice of Celibacy - HQ Full Book.

Some Powerful Aids to the Practice of Celibacy Celibacy is a powerful spiritual practice that requires rigorous self-discipline and dedication. It is often regarded as an essential component in the path of spiritual enlightenment and purity. To achieve true celibacy or Brahmacharya, it is necessary to adopt a holistic approach that involves the control of thoughts, actions, diet, and external influences. In the following, we explore some key practices and aids to help in maintaining celibacy.

1. The Importance of Controlling External Influences
The first step in cultivating celibacy is to control the external factors that influence the mind and body. In our modern world, distractions are abundant, especially those that can evoke impure thoughts. Therefore, it is essential to avoid anything that may incite passions or desires. This includes steering clear of:

• Worldly company: Interactions with people who are focused on worldly pursuits can pollute the mind. It is crucial to avoid such associations to protect one’s mental purity. The company of those engaged in mundane talk or unhealthy behaviors can quickly lead to a downfall.
• Vulgar entertainment: One must avoid reading amorous novels, visiting cinemas, or engaging in any form of entertainment that promotes sensuality. These forms of distraction excite the senses and strengthen desires that go against the path of celibacy.
• Vulgar media: Watching obscene movies or engaging in the consumption of media that glorifies lust can be detrimental. This also includes avoiding movies or literature that depict love stories in a superficial or lustful manner, which feed passion rather than elevating the spirit.

To prevent such influences, aspirants should actively seek out sattvic (pure) entertainment, such as uplifting spiritual books, devotional music, or films that impart moral teachings and cultivate higher thoughts.

2. The Role of Diet in Celibacy
Diet plays a crucial role in controlling the mind and body. The practice of celibacy is closely connected to control over one's appetite and dietary habits. As the mind is affected by the food we consume, it is essential to choose nourishing, sattvic foods that promote mental clarity and purity.

• Avoiding rajasik and tamasik foods: Foods that are spicy, oily, or stimulate the senses should be avoided as they increase passion. This includes meat, alcohol, tobacco, and stimulants. Such foods create restlessness in the body and mind, making it difficult to maintain celibacy.
• Simple, sattvic diet: A diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, grains, and simple dishes aids in calming the senses and cultivating self-discipline. Furthermore, reducing the intake of salt and tamarind is suggested as these ingredients are known to excite passions. A gradual reduction in salt, over time, helps to maintain a tranquil state of mind conducive to meditation and self-control.
• Light meals at night: Eating heavy meals late in the evening disturbs sleep and increases desires. A light dinner, such as a small amount of milk or fruits, helps maintain physical and mental peace throughout the night, aiding in the practice of celibacy.

3. The Power of Self-Control and Vigilance
Celibacy demands not just physical restraint but also mental vigilance. It is necessary to watch one's thoughts carefully and divert them as soon as an impure thought arises. This can be done by:

• Focusing on spiritual goals: Constantly remind yourself of the ultimate spiritual goal. By focusing on higher objectives, such as the realization of the self or meditation on the Divine, you create a shield against worldly desires.
• Replacing impure thoughts: When impure thoughts arise, it is vital not to wrestle with them but to replace them with divine or virtuous thoughts. A simple and effective way to do this is through the repetition of sacred mantras, prayer, or contemplation on the nature of the soul.
• Pranayama and meditation: Breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation are powerful tools in maintaining mental purity. By practicing controlled breathing and engaging in focused meditation, the mind becomes calmer and more disciplined, making it easier to reject desires.
• Physical vigilance: Celibacy is not only a mental practice but a physical one. Guarding the senses—especially the eyes, ears, and touch—is crucial. Avoiding unnecessary physical contact and controlling your gaze can prevent the initiation of passionate desires.

4. Satsang and Association with the Wise
The company one keeps is a critical factor in shaping one's spiritual path. For those practicing celibacy, associating with spiritual aspirants, wise saints, and yogis can help purify the mind and soul. The company of the pure-hearted Satsang (spiritual company) can uplift an aspirant’s resolve and provide support in difficult moments. The powerful vibrations of enlightened beings can:

• Cleanse the mind: Being in the presence of spiritually advanced individuals or engaging in discussions with them can help you rise above worldly distractions and elevate your consciousness.
• Strengthen your practice: Satsang provides an opportunity to learn and grow. The teachings of great saints and sages offer guidance and practical advice on how to maintain celibacy and live a life of purity and discipline.

If physical proximity to such people is not possible, one can always engage with their teachings through books and lectures. The guidance provided by these enlightened souls will help direct one’s efforts in the right direction.

5. Developing Viveka (Discrimination) and Vairagya (Detachment)
To practice celibacy effectively, it is essential to develop the qualities of Viveka (discrimination) and Vairagya (detachment). Viveka helps one distinguish between the real and the unreal, while Vairagya cultivates an indifference toward worldly pleasures.

• Contemplating on the impermanence of the body: Reflect on the transient nature of the body, which is composed of flesh, bones, and blood. By repeatedly reminding oneself of the impermanence of life and beauty, attachment to the body and its desires fades.
• Contemplating on the drawbacks of sensual life: Consider the numerous miseries associated with sexual life, such as disease, attachment, and the cycle of birth and death. By focusing on these aspects, the mind develops a distaste for sensory indulgence.
• Reflection on death and the afterlife: The contemplation on death can awaken detachment. Remember that everything in the material world is fleeting, and ultimately, only spiritual growth leads to liberation.

By developing Viveka, one can remain detached from the sensual world and its allurements, while Vairagya helps eliminate any attachment to physical pleasures, enabling the aspirant to focus solely on spiritual pursuits.

The practice of celibacy is not just about refraining from physical indulgence; it is a holistic practice that involves the discipline of the body, mind, and senses. By controlling one’s diet, avoiding harmful external influences, and cultivating a spiritual mindset through the practice of Satsang, Viveka, and Vairagya, the aspirant can preserve their energy and maintain their focus on spiritual growth. Ultimately, celibacy is not merely a personal sacrifice but a path to the liberation of the soul, and it can only be maintained by sincere effort and vigilance. With perseverance and dedication, the aspirant can transcend worldly desires and experience true inner peace and bliss.

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