What Is The Most Misunderstood Thing About Brahmacharya?

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The most misunderstood thing about brahmacharya could be: one’s belief that ‘to not marry’ means brahmacharya.

No doubt, this is a big step ahead for those wanting to progress on the path of brahmacharya. However, ‘not marrying’ alone does not serve the purpose. Our attachment to the illusion of sex must disappear, for the purpose of liberation (moksha) – that ought to be the end goal of Brahmacharya.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan, an enlightened being states that, “The illusion of sex is such that it will sink all, even the one who thinks that he has no attachment to anything in the world. This illusion of sex has sunk even great saints and masters from tremendous spiritual heights.”

Brahmacharya ideally means to remain in the constant awareness of ‘I am a Pure Soul’. Param Pujya Dadashri, while giving us the right understanding of brahmacharya, says:

“The constant awareness of ‘I am Pure Soul’ is the supreme brahmacharya. There is no other bramacharya like that…by giving up abrahmacharya, the whole world subsides effortlessly. By just following brahmacharya, the whole world (of illusory desires) ends. Otherwise, you can give up thousands of things, and yet not achieve anything.

There are no thoughts, no sexual looks or anything else regarding sex. It is as if he is ignorant about it, then it is considered brahmacharya. It is as if he is ignorant about it all. Then it is considered accomplished brahmacharya.”

How does one go about to reach the stage of accomplished brahmacharya?

SEE ALSO: How To Think Outside Of The Box

Attain self-realization

The only thing that is valuable inside is the Soul, and that’s our real Self. Pujya Dadashri shows an easy and effective path to attain the real Self – the Akram path:

“Here, in Akram (Self-Realization attained with the direct grace of the Living Gnani), we make a direct entry into the Self (the real Self, Brahma, the Soul) and that is what we call rising higher. Then, by remaining the Self, and with this awareness (of the Self), focusing on the attachment and the impulses, it will all dissipate and leave.”

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During Self-Realization, when attained the Akram way, Gnani puts in a line of demarcation between our Soul and the body-complex (that includes mind, speech, body, ego, intellect, etc.), and also, gives us the knowledge of spiritual principles that help us maintain the separation within, at all times.

The connection between the energy of the Self and awareness

“Awareness is considered a part of the energy of the Self. Absence of this energy of the Self implies the presence of worldly knots and confusion, with a resultant inability to solve the worldly problems and puzzles. The person with this energy of the Self is never deluded or confused, no matter what obstacles come forth in the world. Now, all these energies will manifest in you. These energies arise through the practice of brahmacharya, only when it is practiced properly and there has not been any slip-ups. It has so happened that all this knowledge has been given to you before you have learnt how to handle yourself socially. The energy of the Self flows towards the interest and desire of the owner. What kind of desire do people have? In ice-cream, and not in Soul (the Self)! When the transformation begins, you do not like this worldly life, you do not like the most beautiful things in this world. The focus now is entirely on the Soul. The direction of ‘like’ has changed”, says Pujya Dadashri.

A firm decision takes you across to final safety

The seeker of brahmacharya simply has to make a firm decision that no matter what happens, he will not have anything to do with sex.

A firm decision means:

Param Pujya Dadashri explains, “It is to stop all other thoughts and come onto only one thought. For example, you definitely want to go to the station, and from the station you want to go by train, and not by bus. Now, if you make a firm decision, all the evidences (circumstances) for going by train will come together and make it happen. And if your decision is not firm, then the evidences will not come together, and your goal will not be accomplished.

The person who makes a firm decision of being free from all these entanglements of the world, has understood all the scriptures.”

What kind of Penance do those on the path of Brahmacharya do?

There are four pillars of liberation. These are real knowledge, real vision, real conduct and right penance (Gnan, Darshan, Charitra and Tapp). When thoughts about sex arise and you maintain a firm decision of not giving in to them, the Lord has called this penance. When there is no desire for sex at all, but thoughts that lead to desire arise, that is where penance begins.

Param Pujya Dadashri assures, “Keep repeating the resolve to follow brahmacharya and your energy will increase by saying, ‘O Dada Bhagwan, I am making my resolution stronger and firmer. Please grant me energy to strengthen my resolve of brahmacharya’. Such words will increase the energy. The thoughts of sex and abrahmacharya will come, but at that time, when one keeps praying for the energy of brahmacharya, it is highly commendable. With these prayers, the seeker will attain the goal over a period of two to five years.”

The person who conquers abrahmacharya conquers the whole world. The celestial deities and protectors of the path of liberation are very pleased with one who is in brahmacharya.

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