Increased temptation during Brahmacharya
Question
Hi Dhananjay,
I have question about temptations that arise when practicing brahmacharya, as it appears that people seem to be taking more of an interest towards me now since I have started to commit myself fully to my spiritual practices. Do people seem to be attracted to you more when you practice brahmacharya and meditate a lot? I asked a swami about this recently and he said to me that you need to be careful in the next couple of years because people will be attracted to the energy you emanate particularly women. Is this true? As much as I would love to meditate away in the forest somewhere. I am have to interact with society on a daily basis.
Answer
Hello Michael :-)
How are you? Hows your life of Brahmacharya progressing? Coming to your queries...
I understand you intend to ask regarding:
Q1. People getting attracted to a Brahmachari further to a life of Brahmacharya:
A: When a man steps into a life of celibacy, he conserves energy which was earlier being sexually dissipated. Semen conservation and transmutation with pure thoughts, words and deeds produces Ojas (divine energy) and Tejas (luster) in ones persona. This in effect is equal to electricity. It is the manifestation of the universal cosmic power. Such a positively charged Brahmachari with a large reserve of cosmic energy becomes very active, energetic and powerful in all fronts. Just as a powerful north poled magnet naturally attracts iron filings (south polarity), a true Brahmachari is an embodiment of positive electrical energy. Women naturally find him attractive and appealing and hence are drawn to him.
But the aspiring Brahmachari should stay clear of women, knowing their beauty to be nothing more than an illusion in the cosmic drama called life. His contact with women in particular should be limited and only if necessary. Interactions should be to the point and not more. Lust is the greatest trickster. It has the uncanny ability of arising out of very innocent contact. It is tenacious and more patient than the most ardent celibate.
The true Brahmachari should ever be humble before god and the world, realizing his power not to be his own but a reflection of the divine power shining through him. He should never bloat in ego and consider himself the doer, for it is god the doer. The moment ego blossoms, his downfall begins. A man intent of achieving the ultimate goal of self-realization through celibacy should till he achieves his goal be ever vigilant against the onslaught of lust, temptation, anger and ego. Birth of any one of these nourish the others and become impediments in the path of the celibate.
Q2. How does one maintain Brahmacharya, whilst being in the world?
A: The technique of achieving this objective is to develop intense faith and devotion to god in addition to ones celibate practices. Constant self-contemplation coupled with prayer to god to help reach a state of dispassion towards the world gradually bear effect. As Lord Krishna tells in the Bhagavad-Gita The saint of steady wisdom is In the world, yet out of it , a celibate yogi indulges in efficient action without caring and attachment for the resultant fruits. Once we accomplish this, our achievements cannot goad our ego.
To sum up, you can give your best into the work you do without letting the results affect you. Be indifferent to flattery. Also stay clear of sexually laced talk/ humor. You can develop an attitude of being reserved and brief yet polite with women. Everyone acknowledges a courteous and polite man. A man of such behavior may initially raise brows, but in the long term people can respond with nothing else but respect.
Hope this makes things more clear Michael :-)
God bless and have a nice day
Dhananjay