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interpaul
USA
540 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 03 2023 : 9:48:13 PM
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| I was thinking about the potential conflict generated by the practice of bramacharya as it focuses ones attention on restraint/preservation of one's sexual energy. Fundamental to that process it seems is control. Surrender, which seems to be the ultimate focus of much of this work, fells a bit at odds with control. Curious how you reconcile practices like this in your journey. |
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Christi
United Kingdom
4430 Posts |
Posted - Sep 04 2023 : 07:41:19 AM
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Hi Interpaul,
Yoga is always a balance of control and surrender. We need to have enough control of our actions to be able to bring ourselves to the mat every day, and do our practices. But we also need to learn how to surrender our personal desires, attachments and forms of identification.
It is the same with brahmacharya. We have to have enough control not to frequently lose sexual fluids, or sexual energy, but there is also a strong element of surrender to the Divine, as the inner energies move up through the body, into the higher centres.
Christi |
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interpaul
USA
540 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2023 : 04:56:08 AM
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Christi, Thank you for sharing your perspective. I realize I have a tendency towards exploring extreme viewpoints to glean insights. Although this strategy can be helpful in some situations I am learning to appreciate the middle way.  |
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Dogboy
USA
2242 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2023 : 04:45:36 AM
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| Intention and attention and the willpower behind them is absolutely necessary to move practices along, and then surrender and “just being” dissolves them, once inner states are reached. |
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interpaul
USA
540 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2023 : 9:50:05 PM
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| Dogboy, Thanks for weighing in on this subject. I am always searching for the most pure and simple path forward. I recall seeing the movie "Yes man" years ago, staring Jim Carrey. I loved the premise suggesting saying "YES" to life yields many rewards. The movie does ultimately develop the more nuanced message of not having extreme views as the world is not so simple. |
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surrender vs. control
