Jason Robles

A Spiritual Elixir (Abstinence)

Beyond conserving energy, yoga philosophy also describes a more esoteric benefit of celibacy: a sort of alchemical transmutation of base sexual energies into spiritual vigor. According to the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda, semen was considered to be a vital elixir that housed important subtle energies. Ejaculation was said to lead to loss of power, energy, concentration, and even spiritual merit. And conserving it through celibacy and other yoga practices was said to help develop rich stores of this subtle energy, called ojas, thereby building vitality, character, and health. Feuerstein says he’s witnessed firsthand evidence of celibacy’s power to transmute sex into spirit. He recalls encountering Swami Chidananda, a celibate leader of the Divine Life Society, in India in the late 1960s. “He always seemed to be wearing this beautiful perfume; he always exuded this beautiful scent, very subtle but beautiful,” Feuerstein says. “One day I was curious enough about it to ask my friend who ran the center, ‘What is this perfume he’s wearing?’ She laughed and said, ‘He’s not wearing any perfume! It is because he has mastery of brahmacharya and his body simply uses the hormones differently.’ ”

Balance in all things

“Balance as in all things, anything can be abused and overdone. abstinence for short periods builds up your energy, but release is necessary. It works as it does and feels good for a reason”

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For all but the incoming residents, today Kripalu offers a more moderate-and some would say more manageable-vision of brahmacharya: a regular yoga practice, a wholesome lifestyle, and moderation in sensory pleasures, especially food and sex.

“Yoga is about building your energy and awareness so it leads you in a spiritual direction, and for most people, healthy and natural sex is not an obstacle to that,” Faulds explains. “Sexual energy has to be awakened, because if it’s not awakened, there’s a lot of subconscious denial and repression that keeps you from being fully alive. What happens for many of us, especially in our society, is that the mind arouses the body in an obsessive way-for tension release, for approval seeking, for distraction, and just for fun. That’s where it depletes your energy.

“There’s nothing wrong with responsible sex; it’s not a bad thing,” he adds. “Yoga is not making a moral statement with its teachings on brahmacharya; I think it’s very important to realize that. But yoga is saying that you will have more pleasure and bliss in the long run through moderation and through channeling a portion of your sexual energy into spiritual growth and meditation.”