Yoga Sutra 2.38
Brahmacarya Pratisthayam Virya Labhah.
When you work with more energy, you are more energetic. When we scatter our energy we are less effective in all areas of our lives. A still mind (not an empty mind that comes with boredom), establishes vigor.
Yoga Sutra 2.38
Brahmacarya, one of the yamas in the 8 limbs of yoga, is usually associated with celibacy. After-all, yoga (asana) was created for young boys and men in India in order for them to release their energy to be able to sit for long periods of time in meditation. The energy contained is transformed into life force or prana. Having prana allows us to give more to others and ourselves. When we observe Brahmacaraya, we're building our life force.
Observing Brahmacaraya for me is clearing out, making room, creating "white space" in my calendar so that I can have the energy required to do what's required of me in all my life responsibilities. Releasing the patterns created by years and years of habitual over-scheduling is refreshing. There's something to be said with no longer needing to fill my time to feel special or loved. To be content (santosha) with the perfections and imperfections of myself is like releasing a weight on my ankle.
This mornings reading from Judith Lasater's, A Year Of Living Your Yoga:
Which do you want: perfection or wholeness?
Often we strive for perfection. But perfection is unattainable, and striving for it limits us. Today sit quietly for a few minutes. As you breathe, imagine becoming a large container within which to hold your perfection and imperfection. When you can hold both, then you experience your wholeness.
When you work with more energy, you are more energetic. When we scatter our energy we are less effective in all areas of our lives. A still mind (not an empty mind that comes with boredom), establishes vigor.
Yoga Sutra 2.38
Brahmacarya, one of the yamas in the 8 limbs of yoga, is usually associated with celibacy. After-all, yoga (asana) was created for young boys and men in India in order for them to release their energy to be able to sit for long periods of time in meditation. The energy contained is transformed into life force or prana. Having prana allows us to give more to others and ourselves. When we observe Brahmacaraya, we're building our life force.
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| Heart Gate garden, Hood River, OR |
Observing Brahmacaraya for me is clearing out, making room, creating "white space" in my calendar so that I can have the energy required to do what's required of me in all my life responsibilities. Releasing the patterns created by years and years of habitual over-scheduling is refreshing. There's something to be said with no longer needing to fill my time to feel special or loved. To be content (santosha) with the perfections and imperfections of myself is like releasing a weight on my ankle.
This mornings reading from Judith Lasater's, A Year Of Living Your Yoga:
Which do you want: perfection or wholeness?
Often we strive for perfection. But perfection is unattainable, and striving for it limits us. Today sit quietly for a few minutes. As you breathe, imagine becoming a large container within which to hold your perfection and imperfection. When you can hold both, then you experience your wholeness.
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