Self-realization (Brahmacharya)

Correction: "PanchaHamsasana" is SwanFeatherpose - hand balance inversion with feet hovering above 

Introduction: Imagine, if you will, branches on a proverbial Tree of Life or multiple arms and on a Hindi Icon having Eight-Limb (Astanga)ⁱ known at Yoga Training (Touch) as Enhancements (Aztanga) symbolic of a yogatherapist's responsibilities allowing therapists to provide, sharing blooms or gestures (mudras) of knowledge pertaining to best practices. Depending on the analogy, One limb or appendage accommodates a civil and ethical atmosphere known as yamas in Sanskrit, an ancient Subcontinent Indian language, helpfully protecting S/society and therefore S/self. Residing on a branch or digit included on the yama limb or appendage, Self-realization (Brahmacharya) can be described as monogamy, without promiscuity, resisting to benefit Self-reliance, without-touch, self-contained respecting direction/redirection furthering civility by evaluating/reevaluating until practitioners should touch. Responsibilities specific to the branch or digit of Self-realization (brahmacharya) and generally to any enhancement (aztanga) practice intentionally improve Awareness (Samadhi).

Self-realization (brahmacharya), an Individual-truth can further Ultimate-truth (Vidya) and vie-a-vie. The book The Language of Yoga by Niccoli Bachman lists Aztanga yamas as having five known examples, the fourth listed example is brahmacharya, “appropriate use of one’s vital energy”⁹. Other common Enhancement (Aztanga) civilities (yamas) include satya which can be translated as trustful, astaya as trustworthy, and the number one premise of non-harmful as empathetic-compassion (ahimsa) which is similar to the Hippocratic Oath. The fifth listed Social Ethic (Yama) is aparigraha, alikened in this dissertation to Self-assurance, a way of being happy with yourself and therefore anyone and everyone else without jealousy, without possessiveness and without greed a way without controlling and without addiction having a subset or specificity of Mithara, known as portion-control, without gluttony, measured-amounts. Four is the connection to Brahmacharya in the number system making Breath (Pranayama) the noteworthy Enhancement (Aztanga), along with Karma Yoga, whereas I breathe "therefore I am", as taking care of the exhalation naturally takes care of the inhalation benefitting the peace de resistance of the Enhancement (Aztanga) known as sensory-withdrawal/counterintuitive-relaxation/holding-tension (Pratyahara) intending (sankalpa) attention, meditation (dhyana) and Living-meditation (Samadhi). 

Benefitting holistic Oneness by practicing diversity through sentient-system (chakra) value correlations connected by enhancements (aztanga) adjusting to Bio-enviro-psychi-socio-philosophical (panchamayakosha) principles integrates and unifies. Brahmacharya may be most relevantly correlated to the values from the bottom up, of the First Coccygeal-plexus (Muladhara chakra) the color red & social-groups, Fourth Cardiopulmonary-plexus (Anahata-chakra) the color green & love, and Seventh Coronal-plexus (Sahasrara-chakra) and the color white or clear & spirituality. A renowned psychologist/philosopher has said, “...resting in unity…can honor diversity”¹³ able to inform a multitude of best practices including the honoring of individual spirituality while respecting world religions revealing the scope of a philosophically and or theologically beloved, blissful, spirit (anandamayakosha) benefitting a peaceful (shanti) easy (sukha) feeling.Brahmacharya, as with all Enhancement (Aztanga) practices is a responsibility which can correlate through Chakra values integrating Pancha-maya-kosha principles. 

Understanding through Sentient-system (Chakra)¹⁰/¹¹ values as well as adjusting to Bio-enviro-psychi-socio-philisophical (Pancha-maya-kosha)¹² principles provides 

Oneness (Yoga) of Enhancement (Aztanga) responsibilities including and not limited to Physical (Hatha), Knowledgeable (Jnana), Cultivation (Rajas), Causative (Karma) and Loving-reverence (Bhakti), Enhancement (Aztanga) responsibilities like Self-realization (brahmacharya) an ability to branch or gesticulate enlightenment. Whereas active (Hatha) children, some of us were taught (Jnana) the revered (Bhakti) practice of time-outs known to adults as meditation (dhyana) helpful (Karma) to cultivating (Rajas) a civil-ethical-atmosphere (yama) for wanting to do what one should do. “Please pacify the uninterrupted miseries and unbearable fears, such as famines & sickness, that torment powerless beings completely oppressed by inexhaustible & violent evils, & henceforth lead us from suffering (dukha) states & place us in an ocean of happiness & joy (ananda).

Chakras 1, 4, 7 & summary-mantra 

Brahmacharya generally corresponds to Muladhara, the First chakra value correlating civil-societal-norms (yamas) which can be perceived as an aura of protection, and is specifically integrated by vijnanamayakosha when applying supportive sociological practices intellectually thinking to know about the inherent worth and dignity of every person place thing and sentient being, specifically correlated to ahimsa. The Anahata Fourth chakra value, corresponding to brahmacharya as the fourth yama, generally adjusting to vitality for an environment of subtle emotional energy (pranamayakosha). Sahasrara, the Seventh Chakra specifically correlates to the literal translation of brahmacharya integrating spirituality by adjusting deep within the Bio-enviro-psychi-socio-philosophical (panchamayakosha) model of care with philosophical and or theological principles for protection (kosha) from-illusion (amaya), whereas meditation (dhyana) benefits a beloved blissful spirit (anandamayakosha)¹⁵. Keeping brahmacharya in mind during Modern Mantras¹⁶ summarizing the values of: One, Generous Genuine Gifted Gorgeous Gracious Grateful Groups; Four, Alive Arrive (Laugh Learn) Live Love Survive Thrive; and Seven, Omnipresent Non-dualistic Recuperative Regenerative Rejuvenative Restorative Tranquil Transcendental Transformative Transparency can be a preparation enlivening-life (samadhi).

Brahmacharya is literally translated as “walking in the light of God” as stated in The Yamas & Niyamas, Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice².

Bio-enviroTree: Enhancement (aztanga) responsibilities cultivating (rajas) senescence through sentient (chakra) values adjust to Bio-enviro-psychi-socio-philosophial (panchamayakosha) principles intending (sankalpa) simultaneous function (samadhi). When thinking metaphorically Panchamayakosha can be alikened to a tree cut transversely having growth rings, whereas this model of care provides protocols for an outer biological-sheath (anamayakosha), then an environmental-force (pranamayakosha), next a psychological-veil (manamayakosha), further-in a sociological-source (vijnanamayakosha) and finally a soul-essence (anandamayakosha)¹⁴ which work vie-a-vie, supportive from the inside out and protective from the outside in. Generally, brahmacharya is partial to an influential intermedial ethical-atmosphere (yama) around a polite-lifestyle (niyamas), an ambience located between macrocosmic natural (prakriti) surroundings encompassing microcosmic inner workings of systematic human-nature (parusha). Specifically, brahmacharya dissipates-illusion (a-maya), being integrated by five (pancha) protections (koshas).  

research: The first protection (kosha) within the scope of panchamayakosha hails from health, a beneficent longevity, without-contraindications (a-maya), the scope of the biological force (anamayakosha) is a proficient physical body. Accordingly, research compiled by Dean Ornish's Lifestyle Medicine⁴ about when a person has experienced trauma found the greatest amounts of longevity comparable between marital partners and people who are one another’s confidants known as monogamy. Sexual function is healthy to loyal partners intending marital bliss, otherwise any form of Self-care (brahmacharya) propagating creativity such as yoga is effective. Relevantly, brahmacharya helping mitigate infection and morbidity rates by replacing intercourse and associated high risk behaviors with a chaste active lifestyle without discluding orgasm for an intimate no more than once daily routine loving to learn Physical Laws⁵ for riding the wave of life as energy begets energy benefitting equanimity by practicing tapas, the moral (niyama) of improving reserves when low on energy to energize and vie-a-vie in calming systems, without aggression, overcoming difficulties, producing (rajas) reproductive/sexual and or other bodily system excitement which can be known as ecstasy (samadhi).

Checking out the word Brahmacharya, one may notice the Brah, as in Bro or brother, which ironically contains the word bra, as in brazier indicating females. A brotherhood and sisterhood of friends supportive of the greater good typically found in families learned from birth outreaching to society for as the saying goes when there is peace in the home there is peace... Of course, there are "bra burners" who are considered liberal women and females who call one another sis. ...

libido: Jokes aside, free from afflictions (kleshas) such as attraction (raga) or aversion (dveza) validating Prevention and Performance (see yogatrainingtouch.com where Sessions are available) with relatively, "everything in moderation and nothing moderately"¹⁶ can explain brahmacharya. Other research such as in the article, “14 Reasons You Should Have Sex Now”, as published on WebMD⁶ states having sex one time per week lowers risk of illness, and sexual intercourse no more than once every two weeks improves happiness, while a sexual connection improves memory, but only for married people, and the National Institute of Health (NIH) carried the story, “Viagra associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s  4”⁷. In the U.S. and around the world a marital certificate can be the gold standard, normally a good sign of a healthy loving relationship and way people feel safe together as coitus/consumation is an harmonious celebration of peace beneficial to Self-realization (brahmacharya) which may be indicated by True-love-arising compliant with contractual civil union vows in an invested supportive relationship which can also occur when choosing not to conceive https://youtu.be/XUzggtYQ9ic. Discertaining brahmacharya contextual to Aztanga, Tantra and Panchamayakosha as resisting misappropriation, by appropriating the intellect (bindu) to perform (ojas) the gift of life¹7 with best practices blooming, remembering and applying favorite activities, held forth for understanding responsibilities, values and principles, whereas Oneness of awareness is an holistically healthy living-meditation (samadhi); love lives on.

Practice: Observing yamas including brahmacharya can reveal a soul-essence known as anandamayakosha. Utilizing a string of affirmations (japa) can make an excellent meditation (dhyana). For example, in any order, aligning (asana) kinetically holding (bandhas), breathing (pranayama) by taking care of the exhalation which takes care of the inhalation, sensorially-withdraw/counterintuitively-relax/holding-tension (pratyahara) for attention (dharana) to details of the muscular system visualizing a beautiful red color at the First coccygeal plexus (muladhara chakra), resting legs/feet-up (stupa dandasana/apanasana) utilizing a 1:3-4 ratio breath (pranayama) inhaling one second exhaling three to four seconds affirming (japa), “Have ahimsa, without harm, share the joy”. Observe energy rising, noticing the Fourth cardiac-pulmonary plexus (anahata chakra) visualizing the color green during chest/diaphragm expansions/contractions & contractions/expansions inhaling four counts exhaling twelve to sixteen counts affirming, “Gracefully thankful for an attitude of gratitude and generosity, soul searching for True-Self-Arising (Atman, Parusha, Id)”. Finally, while moving into stillness in resting-pose (shavasana) while inhaling 7 seconds and exhaling twenty-one to twenty-eight seconds drawing out the exhalation enhancing parasympathetic relaxation responses while visualizing a clear/white color at the Seventh coronal plexus (sahasrara chakra) with the japa, “Daring to dream, anything is possible, the possibility of peace (shanti)”. 

Summary: Joking aside, Self-realization (brahmacharya) can be a helpful force, without pilaging, protecting the environment's natural resources when masculine and feminine energies are respected and revered (bhakti), proven within the context of physical-practice via pose counterpose known as Hatha which can also be translated as sun/sky/zest-energy (ha) and moon/earth/zen-energy (ta) uniting as givers and sustainers of cosm. Nature teaches causation (karma), that when animals are safe they space and spawn to graze, reproducing peacefully. Self-realization (brahmacharya) can be a case in point for social distancing when mandates from the World Health Organization (WHO)⁸ likened to blooms / hand gestures (mudras) on symbolic limbs are wonderful cultivations (rajas) or best practices for ease (suka). Whereas, remembering civic-responsibility (yama) mitigating dis-ease (dukha), such as pandemics like COVID-19 and other travesties with practices inspired by civility (yama) noticing nature’s goodness can benefit a Living-meditation (Samadhi). Best practices, specifically inspired by brahmacharya, naturally occur knowing (jnana) nature (Prakriti) is good therefore human-nature (Parusha) is good.

Definitions, Synonyms

Ahimsa: Kind, nonviolent, non-harming, without micro-aggressions. Helpful: Many hands make light of work. True-self arising (Parusha) with free and Ah(sana) to be God-like/Loving Peaceful (shanti)

Aparigraha: Self-assured, letting go with love, letting love, living & letting live, love lives on, without making or not letting, Gracious, without jealousy curiosity or holding-tension, graciousness without possessiveness and without greed moderation - perhaps to much of anything is as bad as to little ~ Edna Ferber (Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist), to do with food is known as Mithara - portion control.

Aztanga: Also written Astanga, Ashtanga. Eight-limbs, Enhancements, Optimizations, Peaceful Responsibilities*; (civil (yama), polite (niyama), posture (asana), breath (pranayama), holding-tension (pratyahara), attention (dharana), meditation (dhyana), living-meditation (samadhi)), ways of understanding.

Aztaya: Trustworthy, without-taking without-stealing

Bio/neuro-enviro-psychi-socio-philosophical: Bio/neuro-enviro-psychi-socio-philosophical model of care, Bio-enviro-psychi/socio-neuro-philosophy, Bio/neuro-enviro-psychi/socio-theo/philosophical-spirituality, Bio/neuro-enviro-psychi-socio-philosophical model, Bio/neuro-enviro-psychi-socio-spirituality

Brahmacharya: Self-realized/Self-reliant, True-self, Self-confident/Self-sufficient, Self-care/Self-caring, Loyal-arising, without controlling & without addiction, Loyal-loving, Loyal-arising, Each person responsible for their own True-self benefitting themselves and therefore the greater good.

Peace: Responsible ways of understanding, one way is an Enhancement. See Aztanga

*Responsibilities: Enhancement (Aztanga) practices, wanting to do as one should do.

Yamas: Honorable, correct ways. Understanding. Greater good. Network of greater scope.

Satya: Trustful, Without-untruth

Yoga: Oneness, Unification, Unity, Yoke

Samadhi: Oneness, Awareness, Super-aware, Living-meditation, Ecstasy

Works Cited

1. Jaya Kumar, Swamee Sree. Classic Asthanga With Applied Yogic Sciences. Pranava Dhama Trust, Education, Research and Therapy Centre, Mysore India, 2009.
2. Adele, Deborah. The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice. On-Word Bound Books, 2009.
3. Dean Ornish, MD. Lifestyle reverses heart disease lecture. Global Yoga Therapy Conference, Virtual Lecture, International, 2021.
4. Isaac Newton (1643-1727). Western Science theory states that an object in motion stays in motion https://ei.lehigh.edu/learners/energy/readings/people_energy.pdf 
5. Medically Reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD on August 31, 2020
6. National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nih.gov/
7. World Health Organization (Director-General 2017-present) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as seen on YouTube https://www.who.int. Yoga Training (Touch), ”Holistic Health: Energy System Correlations; Lifestyle, Metabolic Immune Function” by Kathryn A. Campbell C-IAYT, YA-CEP, ERYT500 
8. Bachman, Nicolai. The Language of Yoga: Complete A-To-Y Guide to Āsana Names, Sanskrit Terms, & Chants. Sounds True, 2020.
9. Judith, Anodea, and Selene Vega. The Sevenfold Journey: Reclaiming Mind, Body & Spirit through the Chakras. Crossing Press, 1993. 
10. Dale, Cyndi, and Richard Wehrman. The Subtle Body: an Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy. Sounds True, 2009.
11. Sat Bir Sing Khalsa, Lorenzo Cohen, Timothy McCall, Shirley Telles et al. The Principles and Practices of Yoga In Healthcare. Handsprings Publishing, Pencaitland, East Lothian, UK, 2016.
12. Ram Das, Harvard Psychologist. The Love Serve Remember Foundation Founder Philosopher. RamDas.org.
13. Weisenberg, Marit. Yoga Mind Body. Kindersley, Dorling, London, UK, 1996.
14. Sri Swami Satchidananda. The Yoga Sutras of Pitanjali. Integral Yoga Publications, Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville, Buckingham, Virginia 23921, 1978/2008, www.iyiva.org
15. Kathryn Campbell Global Yoga Therapy Conference. Virtual Silent Meditation, Modern Mantra. Internationally provided From United States, Hosted From Australia, 2021.
16. Dr. David Spindler, Neurologist, Use Your Brain Chemistry for Peak Performance, Rich Roll Interview, YouTube, 7/11/2024.
17. Mukitbodhananda. Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India, 2000.