Deepening Connection: Introduction
The experiment related to Brahmacharaya and it’s application to my life as a married person. This yama was chosen randomly, as the group size was the smallest and therefore, most appealing to me personally. In recognizing that the concept of Brahmacharaya is essentially explained by Pantanjali as abstinence of sexual behavior with the intention to redirect creative energies toward higher spiritual purposes, I recognized that this would require some modification in my married situation. As my husband is also in the same group, we collaborated on this project and in this experiment.
Pantanjali ‘s description of Bramacharaya is chastity and continence, which is traditionally interpreted as celibacy, but is also described as moderation or control of the senses. After careful consideration of how these concepts may be applied to married couples, my husband and I decided that we would embark upon the experiment with regard to the purity of intention and sense of moderation which occurs from neither over-indulgence nor abstinence in sexuality. Furthermore, considering that some of Pantanjali’s concepts, such as Bramacharaya, are contextualized for his social and cultural time in history, we maintained that this yama can be applied within the context of our own relationship, by practicing intentional “mindful and lovingness” towards one another within our relationship. B.K. Iyengar, also interpreted that Bramacharaya need not necessarily consist of abstinence in the physical manner. He indicated within his writings that one can practice Bramacharaya within a marriage by being mindful and loving in the relationship.