Amma on Brahmacharya

[Guest guest]

Ôm Amriteswaryai Namah

 

 

 

Satsang Amma's Words Control of the Senses

 

Young man: " Is celibacy compulsory here to live in the Ashram? "

 

Amma: " Amma has told Her children who are staying here to practice

celibacy. This will eventually transform their sexual energy into

ojas (subtle spiritual energy); then they will come to know their

real nature, the souce of true happiness. This is the way of life

that they have chosen. Amma doesn't force them. She just tells them

that this is the path. Only those who can do this need stay here.

The others can enter grihastashrama (a spiritually oriented

householder life). Those who feel they will fail have the freedom to

leave at any time.

 

" The police department has its own rules, so does the military.

Similarly, the brahmacharis and brahmacharinis here at the ashram

have to follow the rules of brahmacharya. Observing celibacy is

essential for those who have chosen to live here, and it applies not

only in the sexual sense. They have to restrain all their senses:

their eyes, nose, tongue, and ears as well.

 

" Amma generally advises them to get married, but those here won't

listen to it. So Amma has told them that here they have to live a

certain way and follow certain rules, and if they can't do that,

they are free to leave. No one is forced to live in this way. Not

everyone can take up this path. Amma tells them, `Don't suppress

anything. You can try this way of life, and if it doesn't work for

you, get married.'

 

" If you dress up for a role, you should play it well; otherwise,

don't even begin to play that role. If you want to reach the supreme

goal, brahmacharya is essential. Our mahatmas have said so. Why did

Buddha, Ramatirtha, Tulsidas, and other mahatmas leave their wives

and their homes? Why did Sri Shankaracharya take sannyasa at such an

early age? Do their actions imply that brahmacharya isn't necessary?

Even after getting married, didn't Sri Ramakrishna practice

brahmacharya to set an example for others to follow?

 

" Brahmacharya isn't just something external, it doesn't just mean

foregoing marriage. Every step has to be taken in accordance with

the highest principle. Not even a thought should violate that

principle. Brahmacharya also includes refraining from harming others

in any way, not listening to or looking at anything unnecessarily,

and to speak only when needed. Only then can you call it true

brahmacharya. Brahmacharya is absolutely essential on the spiritual

path.

 

" Because it may be difficult to control your thoughts in the

beginning, you can start by practicing brahmacharya outwardly. If

brahmacharya isn't observed, you will lose all the strength you have

gained through your sadhana. Amma doesn't mean that you should

suppress these things by force. For those who have lakshya bodha

(constant intent on the spiritual goal), self-control isn't that

difficult. People going to work in the Persian Gulf countries often

return only after several years. (A large number of people from

India, especially from Kerala, have been going to work in the Gulf

countries.) During that time they live far away from their wives and

children. When it's a question of finding a job ( supporting their

family), you don't let your attachment to your family and home get

in the way. Similarly, if your aim is self-realization, you don't

think about anything else. Other thoughts will fade automatically,

without there being any need to forcibly control them.

 

" People believe that happiness can be found in external objects, and

so they work hard for those things, wasting all their energy.

Happiness cannot be obtained from external objects. We should

reflect on this and understand the truth. Through our love for God

and by practicing one-pointed tapas we will grow strong. This isn't

difficult for those who understand that they only waste energy by

looking for happiness in the world outside.

 

" Certain plants won't bear fruit if they have too many leaves. Only

if they are pruned will they flower and bear fruit. In the same way,

if we allow ourselves to be swayed by external pleasures, we won't

be able to find the inner Truth. We have to get rid of our desires

for worldly pleasures if we wish to reap the fruit of self-

realization. "