The Yoga of Cleansing & Four Tips for Increased Vitality
Here are four tips to get you started with a fall time cleanse:
If Bramhamacharya is about re-focusing sexual energy, then if I focus that energy on spiritual practice, I will become more aware of my interconnectedness with others on an energetic level and that will reduce my focus on the more primal physical or ego-based connections (ie the source of my non-virtuous words, thoughts, & deeds).
The simple explanation of my experiment is to be chaste or ‘of virtuous character’ in word, thought and deed. On the philosophical level this means to me that I will honor the divinity or authentic self of others by being virtuous in the way I speak to them, about them, act towards them and even think about them. In practical terms I will practice to the best of my ability virtuous character in:
I will observe my behavior and journal about it over the course of this experiment.
I have increasingly become aware of my intentions toward preserving my energy to be directed toward “movement in Brahman.” I began working to create a sacred space for intimacy and prayer. Prior to this experiment, most of my energy in the household was geared toward guests and the “public” parts of our home. I was moved to direct that energy toward my marriage union by taking on unfinished projects in our bedroom and the upstairs (our space in the home). I felt a shift in energy which was very refreshing. Instead of “dropping dead” on the bed at the end of the day, there has been a warmness and sense of rejuvenation in the evening and morning. This has had an immediate effect on my asana and pranayama practice and I know it is directly related to the intentions created through the change of intention through brahmacharya. There is still much more to do through this yama, but I feel that both of us are awakening to the power of these yogic intentions.