Brahmacharya

Brahmacharya is the " achara " or conduct by which it is believed one attains or reaches Brahman or God. To quote a non-BK source, Sri Swami Sivananda, " It is life in the Absolute, the movement towards God or the Atman [ Self ].

Brahmacharya is ultimately the absolute freedom from sexual thoughts and desires. Beyond the vow of celibacy, it is the control of all the senses in thought, word and action.

Brahmacharya is not mere bachelorhoodit is the strict abstinence not merely from sexual intercourse but also from auto-erotic manifestations, masturbation, homosexual acts and all perverse sexual practices. It must further involve a permanent abstention from indulgence in erotic imagination and sexual fantasy.

Although, in a narrow sense, Brahmacharya is celibacy, in a broad sense, it is absolute control of all the senses and traditionally seen as the door to Nirvana [ spiritual liberation ] or perfection.

Celibacy is considered to a Yogi to be what electricity is to an electric bulb. Without celibacy no spiritual progress is thought to be possible. It is seen as a potent weapon and shield to wage war against the internal evils of lust, anger and greed.