Dark theme: SelfDefinition.Org Practice of Brahmacharya Swami Sivananda Saraswati (1887-1963) Source: Divine Life Society Contents, abbreviated Full Index Page > Quick Links to Areas of This Page Title Page Section 1: The Phenomenon of Sex Section 2: The Glory of Brahmacharya Section 3: Techniques of Sex Sublimatiom Section 4: Symposium Go to Full Brahmacharya Index Page After clicking a link below, which will take you to another page, use your Back button to return to this Contents page. top of page Title Page Publishers' Note Prayer for Purity top of page Section 1: The Phenomenon of Sex 1. Present Day Degradation The world is all sexy Spiritual Sadhana is the answer to sex attraction Brahmacharya - the need of the hour 2. The Working of the Sex Impulse The flowery bow of Cupid The Samskaras in the subconscious mind How to gauge your own mental purity Eradication of lust is no easy task 3. Intensity of Cravings in Different Persons Passion in children, the youth and the aged Sexual thought in sages, spiritual aspirants and householders Lust in men and in women 4. Sex is in Imagination Beauty is a mental concept Misleading descriptions of a woman's beauty Passion blinds the intellect 5. The Disastrous Effects of Sexual Indulgence Wet dream and voluntary copulation - A vital difference Youth with bloodless faces 6. The Value of Semen Modern medical opinion Mind, Prana and Veerya top of page Section 2: The Glory of Brahmacharya 7. The Meaning of Brahmacharya The eight breaks in Brahmacharya Physical Brahmacharya and mental Brahmacharya A common complaint 8. The Glory of Brahmacharya Secret of health and longevity Celibacy promotes concentration 9. Importance of Celibacy in Spiritual Life Celibacy in the different religious orders Brahmacharya - the foundation of spiritual life 10. Brahmacharya for Householders What is Brahmacharya in married life? When the wife becomes the mother Living a life of spiritual partnership 11. Women and Brahmacharya Brahmacharinis - ancient and modern Loose life is not freedom A call to spiritual life 12. Brahmacharya and the Educational Curriculum A vital drawback in the present educational system in India Duty of teachers and parents 13. Some Ideal Brahmacharyins Hanuman Sri Lakshmana Bhishma top of page Section 3: Techniques of Sex Sublimation 14. Suppression and Sublimation From sex energy to spiritual energy The secret of sex sublimation Total sublimation is difficult, yet not impossible 15. To Marry or Not to Marry Is celibacy possible? A foolish argument of the Epicureans Nature of the love between husband and wife To be a celibate? Or to be a householder? The Akhanda Brahmachari 16. The Dangers of Promiscous Mixing Havoc played by mental images The forbidden fruit - God's test for the spiritual aspirant 17. Stop that Lustful Look! Mind the feeling behind the look! How to counter impure thoughts 18. The Role of Diet in Sex Control Sattvic food Forbidden food Mitahara or moderation in diet Fasting - a purificatory exercise 19. Wet Dreams and Spermatorrhea Difference between physiological pollution and pathological pollution Causes and consequences A warning against evil sex habits and outbursts of anger Importance of proper food and evacuation Get up before 4 a.m. Take to the Name of the Lord The benefits of a hip bath Some helpful suggestions 20. Some Powerful Aids to the Practice of Celibacy Control of the palate Avoid bad company Watch the thoughts Seek Satsanga or good company Cultivate Viveka and Vairagya A note of clarification A vow is a great help Will culture and auto-suggestion Change the Drishti or angle of vision 21. Hatha Yoga to the Rescue Siddhasana Sirshasana Sarvangasana Matsyasana Padangushthasana Instruction on Asana practice Mula Bandha Jalandhara Bandha Uddiyana Bandha Nauli Kriya Maha Mudra Yoga Mudra Easy and comfortable Pranayama Bhastrika Pranayama Hints on Pranayama practice Vajroli Mudra 22. Some Illustrative Stories The power of lust. The example of Jaimini Passion's hold over man's mind. Socrates and his disciple Lust increases with enjoyment. Raja Yayati Dawn of Viveka and Vairagya. Yogi Vemana Beauty lies in imagination. The story of Hemachuda Physical beauty is no beauty. Story of a prince Being busy is the best way to control lust. Story of a ghost 23. Select Sayings on Sex and Celibacy top of page Section 4: Symposium 1. Commentary on Swami Shivananda's 8th Spiritual Instruction, by Chidananda Perpetuation of the Species Power of Brahmacharya Duties of Householders Brahmacharya in Modern Society Advantages of Brahmacharya Books on Brahmacharya 2. The Paramount Importance of Brahmacharya, by Chidananda The Four Great Purusharthas The Twofold importance of Dharma Conservation of Energy in the Context of a Spiritual Life Sex Energy-A Manifestation of Para Shakti The Human Body Compared to a Mansion How to Rise Above Sex Voluntary Self-restraint Is No Suppression 3. Brahmacharya - An Outlook of Consciousness, by Krishnananda How Our Energy Gets Diverted and Dissipated Conservation of Energy for Brahma-Sakshatkara The Individual - A Pressure Centre Stresses and Strains - Their Cause and Cure The Havoc Wrought by the Externalizing Senses Desire - A Metaphysical Evil Varnashrama - An Aid to Free Ourselves from the Grip of Nature 3. Marriage: What Does it Mean? by Krishnananda 4. Birth Control, by Sivananda Instructions for Householders Population Should Be Checked Danger of Artificial Means top of page Go to Full Brahmacharya Index Page Also on this site Celibacy Resources: Articles and Links Celibacy Quotes: /celibacy/quotes/contents.htm Paracelsus: For Chastity, unchastity, imagination, astral effects, see Hartmann's Life of Paracelsus (Magic section): 05-pneumatology.htm#morbid-imagination top of page Full Index Page >