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Chastity: Brahmcharya
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By Sant Kirpal Singh, from "The Teachings of Kirpal Singh", Vol. II, page 41 - 54

Brahmcharya or life of chastity: It includes continence in thoughts, words and deeds. We must not cast covetous eyes on others nor entertain impure thoughts within, for "Chastity is life and sexuality is death." If we want to tread the path of life eternal, we must be chaste and clean both within and without. Through passion, the soul can fall very low. The seat of the soul is high, between the eyebrows. And the seat of passion? Well, everyone knows where that is.

Lust attacks us eighty percent through the eyes, fourteen percent through the ears and the remaining six percent mainly through touch. So how to maintain chastity? That’s the point. You have just to control your attention. The mind and outgoing faculties derive their power from the soul, and the outward expression of the soul is the attention. So if our attention is riveted at the centre of the soul in the body and we make the best use of the outgoing faculties, we will not be affected by what we see or hear. You might be looking at somebody but you need not be doing so with your full consciousness, even with your open eyes. Somebody might be relating long stories of vicious things to you. If you control your attention, even with your open ears you won’t hear.

When you look into the eyes of somebody who drags you up and helps you to forget your body, that is a criterion of what love is. That is why I always advise, "Don't look into the eyes of others except the Master's." This is the way in which lust attacks us. We are attacked by lust through the eyes. If you look into the eyes of others who are imbued with lust or other lower things, you will have the same effect by radiation. Look only into the eyes of a God-manifested man and you will be benefitted.

By the observance of Brahmcharya (celibacy), we not only preserve the vital fluid of life (which is an invaluable asset in the physical body and can in no way be underrated) but it positively helps one in attuning to the divinity, already woven into the very pattern of our life but lost in the mighty swirl of the world.

One will not suppress all sexual desires, for repression can only breed neurosis and prepare the way for downfall, but he will be ever seeking to sublimate it. He will understand that nature's purpose in this instinct is to preserve the race and will channel it so as to fulfil that purpose, never making it an end in itself, a source of physical pleasure, for when it becomes that, it turns into a drug that anaesthetizes the spirit and begins to defeat nature's purpose of procreation by encouraging the invention and use of contraceptives. Besides, is it psychologically possible for the human mind to detach itself completely from its normal field of experience without first anchoring itself in another and higher one? It is a universal characteristic of man that he seeks kinship with something other than himself. This is the law of his life and source of all his great achievements. The child is bound to his toys, and the adult to family and society. As in the case of a child, you may not without harm deprive him of his playthings until he has outgrown them psychologically, likewise to expect the sadhak (disciple) to give up his social and family attachments without first outgrowing them by discovering something greater and larger, is to cut at the root of life. It will not bring progress but regression for the man who undertakes it, as an enforced discipline only succeeds in repressing his natural desires. The result is not the enhancement of consciousness but its numbing and atrophy, not detachment but indifference.

Married life is no bar to spirituality if led in accordance with the scriptures. The partners in life are advised in their best spiritual interests to observe chastity by leading a moderate life by mutual co-operation. The check marks on the diary forms are essential for the people seeking improvement gradually. One learns by self-introspection and careful living.

The dear ones are not forbidden to marry or have homes. But, they should have ideal family life flavoured with the divine grace of the Masterpower. The young before marriage, should be asked to lead chaste lives, as chastity is life and sexuality is death. A lamp burns splendidly when it has oil within, but if all the oil is leaked away, how can there be light?

It would not be advisable to live together as husband and wife by the initiates unless they are legally married. It amounts to adultery. You will appreciate that in close association it is not possible to curb sensual desires and observe a life of continence and self-restraint, which in turn will affect your spiritual progress. If a man comes out of a tavern while reading the Bible, what do you think the people at large will think of that?

If you always think of the body, naturally you will think of the opposite sex. Christ said that husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church. Even husbands and wives should not think of one another as a man and a woman. They may have one duty of begetting children but that is not everything. It is mainly to have a companion in life for the purpose that both of them should reach God.

Unfortunately, very few people have the right understanding as to the importance of maintaining the chastity of life. It is because man is not chaste that he is under the domination of other vices such as anger, greed and attachment. If he were to control his sensual appetite, the other vices would gradually drop away. So chastity is the key not only to the spiritual life but also to success in every other field of endeavour.

Semen is the essence of our body. It is the driving force, a vital fluid. The more of it we have in our body, the more healthy we will be. One who practises celibacy is great and courageous enough to face hundreds of people single-handed. If such a man has spiritual understanding, he is a great soul indeed.

Who can rise above body-consciousness? One who is unattached and is not engrossed in sensual pleasures can do it. Only such a person can easily tap inside. Ethical and chaste life is, therefore, very essential. Even if the Master by His own grace lifts someone, whose life is not pure, above body-consciousness, the latter will not be able to withstand it. It is crystal clear that there are two main obstacles in the way: passionate desires and anger. To lead a chaste life is not enough. We have to overcome all desires. In anger the soul flows out.

Self-indulgence and anger lead to various other vices. Unless these two enemies are disciplined first, others – greed, attachment and egotism – cannot be controlled. One who succeeds in conquering all these five enemies is free from suffering. The senses derive their power from the mind and the mind from the soul. If our attention is concentrated at the seat of the soul, the senses become powerless.

Be true to Him who is dwelling within you. If you practise the two virtues – chastity and forgiveness – you will find that, without much effort, you will attain higher consciousness, complete awakening and a perfect peace of mind. Thus, you will begin to radiate peace, harmony, and tranquillity to those around you.

Who are we? We have the God in us. We are all micro-gods. It is only because of our (soul's) outflow at the plane of the mind and senses that we have become degenerated. If we withdraw from sensual pleasures and divert our attention towards our controlling power, we would surely become its mouthpiece.

Chastity and forgiveness are the two basic and noble virtues of all. If we acquire these virtues, we will be successful in our meditation. Now let us listen to what Sant Kabir has to say about purity of life: "When chastity and forgiveness sprout in one's heart, the invisible Lord becomes visible. Without chastity one cannot reach Him. Empty words are of no avail."
A celibate can reach his real goal without making much effort. One who practises both forgiveness and chastity has nothing to worry about and will realize God.