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hinduism
September 2008 
Brahmacarya Vow- An Experiment Explained
Posted on Sep 16th, 2008
by 
kate
kate
This is the first blog of my weekly experiment. Please check out weekly updates at
Brahmacarya.blogspot.com :)
Abstract:
Personal choice: an (semi-spiritual) experiment. Start date: now, end date: December 11th, with option to extend. Three and a half months. To control all desires. In service of something greater. No meat, alcohol, drugs, dating, kissing, sex, other wastes of time (like tv, shopping, gossiping) etc. To devote myself to something other than myself.
Religious Significance:
“Brahmacarya” : Traditionally a Hindu vow, taken when one wants to control all personal worldly desires, in service of “God”, or Brahma. Their aim in life is to be not only an expression of Brahma-like-behavior through every action but also to realize liberation (enlightenment, nirvana, etc) of Brahma. By controlling drives and the senses, one becomes more aware, conscious, passionate, compassionate, and blissful.
Current Response:
Response #1: “You’re a what? What the hell is that”
Response #2) “Why would you EVER want to do that???”
Response #3) “hahahahaha”
So judging on the current reactions I am getting, I think it is a great idea to document and explain what exactly I am doing.
I am loving the responses I get. After all, I always have enjoyed controversy: causing confusion, questioning and self-reflection in people inspired by my personal choices. I shake things up. Question everything. Love the learning process. Make people think. Or not at all.
Explanation:
The reason why I am choosing to shift the current way I live my life is not for selfish or self-righteous drives (contrary to what some of you are already thinking-“Oh, here we go, Kate and her weird Hippie-New Age-Shit”). Hahaha. I just think that through everyday choices people make, their lives are molded and shaped: how they want to spend their time, what they focus their energy on, and what kind of body they operate through to conduct life in. Why wouldn’t I want to be functioning from the strongest, healthiest, cleanest vessel? To give in to desires that pollute ones body is #1) selfish because it #2) keeps them from being the most productive to contribute as much as they can to a greater cause (Umm, nothing big, just the current state of the world-people’s true happiness-health-poverty-saving the whales! haha just kidding on the last one!! I meant baby seals.)
Alright, back to this debacle. I am over giving in to my ego’s wants. You ever feel controlled and driven by your desires? Like they were bigger than you? I just want to do this experiment and see if I (the Self) can control them. I don’t need one more drunken night at a bar. Or one more greasy cheeseburger. Or even one more passionate night. All these indulgences are just temporary distractions from the Ultimate Reality. People distract themselves all day long to avoid dealing with what’s really out there, and what’s really inside them. These are temporary moments of pleasure that actually leave one unsatisfied in the end. Wanting more. The real pleasure in life, for me at least, is giving up what “Kate Wilson” wants. Letting go of everything. Finding out what’s really there- and asking myself what does not I, but the current state of society need. It really is ultimate service to something greater than yourself. (Now I’m not claiming I exactly know what that is, that I am some amazing renunciate that knows what society needs, but I am willing to give it a shot. At least try to see what happens. My egotistical drives can hold off for 3.5 months, after all)
Now, some people might think that this is the most boring possible life one could ever have. I beg to differ! You know when someone goes blind all other senses are heightened (like hearing)? Living a life choosing not to engage in these partial or temporary states of pleasure one feels more alive, more sensitive and more passionate. Life is colorful, powerful and alive. You start to see the “Divine” in ways you never would have noticed before.
Permanent bliss is at the root of one’s being, the senses just need to be calmed in order to feel it. And trust me, this permanent bliss is waaay better than any buzz or orgasm. Why do you think monks are so blissed-out all the time, and always smiling?
Other Famous Brahmacaryas:
Ghandi
Amma
Ramakrishna
Personal choice: an (semi-spiritual) experiment. Start date: now, end date: December 11th, with option to extend. Three and a half months. To control all desires. In service of something greater. No meat, alcohol, drugs, dating, kissing, sex, other wastes of time (like tv, shopping, gossiping) etc. To devote myself to something other than myself.
Religious Significance:
“Brahmacarya” : Traditionally a Hindu vow, taken when one wants to control all personal worldly desires, in service of “God”, or Brahma. Their aim in life is to be not only an expression of Brahma-like-behavior through every action but also to realize liberation (enlightenment, nirvana, etc) of Brahma. By controlling drives and the senses, one becomes more aware, conscious, passionate, compassionate, and blissful.
Current Response:
Response #1: “You’re a what? What the hell is that”
Response #2) “Why would you EVER want to do that???”
Response #3) “hahahahaha”
So judging on the current reactions I am getting, I think it is a great idea to document and explain what exactly I am doing.
I am loving the responses I get. After all, I always have enjoyed controversy: causing confusion, questioning and self-reflection in people inspired by my personal choices. I shake things up. Question everything. Love the learning process. Make people think. Or not at all.
Explanation:
The reason why I am choosing to shift the current way I live my life is not for selfish or self-righteous drives (contrary to what some of you are already thinking-“Oh, here we go, Kate and her weird Hippie-New Age-Shit”). Hahaha. I just think that through everyday choices people make, their lives are molded and shaped: how they want to spend their time, what they focus their energy on, and what kind of body they operate through to conduct life in. Why wouldn’t I want to be functioning from the strongest, healthiest, cleanest vessel? To give in to desires that pollute ones body is #1) selfish because it #2) keeps them from being the most productive to contribute as much as they can to a greater cause (Umm, nothing big, just the current state of the world-people’s true happiness-health-poverty-saving the whales! haha just kidding on the last one!! I meant baby seals.)
Alright, back to this debacle. I am over giving in to my ego’s wants. You ever feel controlled and driven by your desires? Like they were bigger than you? I just want to do this experiment and see if I (the Self) can control them. I don’t need one more drunken night at a bar. Or one more greasy cheeseburger. Or even one more passionate night. All these indulgences are just temporary distractions from the Ultimate Reality. People distract themselves all day long to avoid dealing with what’s really out there, and what’s really inside them. These are temporary moments of pleasure that actually leave one unsatisfied in the end. Wanting more. The real pleasure in life, for me at least, is giving up what “Kate Wilson” wants. Letting go of everything. Finding out what’s really there- and asking myself what does not I, but the current state of society need. It really is ultimate service to something greater than yourself. (Now I’m not claiming I exactly know what that is, that I am some amazing renunciate that knows what society needs, but I am willing to give it a shot. At least try to see what happens. My egotistical drives can hold off for 3.5 months, after all)
Now, some people might think that this is the most boring possible life one could ever have. I beg to differ! You know when someone goes blind all other senses are heightened (like hearing)? Living a life choosing not to engage in these partial or temporary states of pleasure one feels more alive, more sensitive and more passionate. Life is colorful, powerful and alive. You start to see the “Divine” in ways you never would have noticed before.
Permanent bliss is at the root of one’s being, the senses just need to be calmed in order to feel it. And trust me, this permanent bliss is waaay better than any buzz or orgasm. Why do you think monks are so blissed-out all the time, and always smiling?
Other Famous Brahmacaryas:
Ghandi
Amma
Ramakrishna
Anandamayi:
My own cosmology, explained:
Agreeing with Hindu Tantric philosophical doctrines, however I don't partake in the rituals and practices, I perceive the entire world and all its contents as manifestations of Siva (aka the Divine, Supreme Consciousness, Truth, Ultimate Reality, or conscious vibrational energy, quarks or strings for you quantum physicists). Therefore “Siva” can be reached and attained through every single drop of creation on this world. Hence Tantric rituals of consuming forbidden substances and engaging in ritual acts of sex. However, although Siva can be found at the core of even the most taboo, there are different degrees of God found in the manifest world. Obviously, a smile or prayer is more “conscious” or closer to the “Divine” than let’s say a brutal murder. So knowing this sliding scale of god-like behavior in the relative world, why wouldn’t someone want to choose to live a life as close to Truth as possible?
Yes, there is nothing wrong with certain behaviors, etc, because they are essentially consciousness at the core, but they are simply lower manifestations of Siva. SO, I don’t disagree that Hindus (or others) can participate in those rituals to find liberation in Siva (or Brahma, God, etc), BUT I personally think that in this current era, perfecting and cleansing my body and mind (however temporary it might be) is the most relevant and affective way to operate in the world (or at least this final quarter at OSU, where I’m enrolled in 33 credit hours, applying to grad schools and working toward a Fulbright in India).
And I really WANT to do this; its not something that I feel like I have to do or I’m making myself do. It’s not about repression and wanting these behaviors subconsciously- it’s a personal choice to TRANSCEND them.
My own cosmology, explained:
Agreeing with Hindu Tantric philosophical doctrines, however I don't partake in the rituals and practices, I perceive the entire world and all its contents as manifestations of Siva (aka the Divine, Supreme Consciousness, Truth, Ultimate Reality, or conscious vibrational energy, quarks or strings for you quantum physicists). Therefore “Siva” can be reached and attained through every single drop of creation on this world. Hence Tantric rituals of consuming forbidden substances and engaging in ritual acts of sex. However, although Siva can be found at the core of even the most taboo, there are different degrees of God found in the manifest world. Obviously, a smile or prayer is more “conscious” or closer to the “Divine” than let’s say a brutal murder. So knowing this sliding scale of god-like behavior in the relative world, why wouldn’t someone want to choose to live a life as close to Truth as possible?
Yes, there is nothing wrong with certain behaviors, etc, because they are essentially consciousness at the core, but they are simply lower manifestations of Siva. SO, I don’t disagree that Hindus (or others) can participate in those rituals to find liberation in Siva (or Brahma, God, etc), BUT I personally think that in this current era, perfecting and cleansing my body and mind (however temporary it might be) is the most relevant and affective way to operate in the world (or at least this final quarter at OSU, where I’m enrolled in 33 credit hours, applying to grad schools and working toward a Fulbright in India).
And I really WANT to do this; its not something that I feel like I have to do or I’m making myself do. It’s not about repression and wanting these behaviors subconsciously- it’s a personal choice to TRANSCEND them.
I plan to update everyone atleast weekly to document for myself and for others if they are interested in my progress as a modern-day (at least temporary) Brahmacarya. This is completely new to me, and by judging others' responses, none of us know how it will turn out, at least under these circumstances (post-modern era, mid-western football city, college girl, 2008, etc).
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