8 Limbs: Yama 4: Brahmacharya

“Quiet the mind and the soul will speak.” ~Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

How do we walk with, or connect to, the divine? But let’s backtrack a moment as historically this yama has meant “celibacy” as people would go into the cave and practice communing with the divine, leading to celibacy and preservation of vital energy. Today we look at this yama and call it more of a “moderation” as we do not needlessly expend energy, but try to also connect more deeply to something bigger than ourselves. Same goal: preserve energy and vitality.

Try to not rush through life, expending energy outwards and continuously, but rather consider how you use your inner resources. Do they preserve or drain you, your thoughts, your actions, your relationships, etc.? What does your breath tell you? What happens when we find a greater connection to our energetic shifts and changes and find a deeper connection back to our higher self? And through that, creating a closer relationship to the divine.