Page 44 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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38 Mystic pathways through the bible
This ancient system of the brahmacharya ashram was designed for students who were below the age of twenty- ve to devote their time and energy to intensive spiritual studies under the guidance of a Guru or spiritual teacher. To elevate this educational experience of contemplation and re ection, they were instructed to remain celibate until the householder phase of their life. The ideal of this discipline encouraged young people to redirect this powerful energy inward, toward reaching higher states of spiritual consciousness, while preventing them from being caught up in the frivolities and problems that can result due to overindulgence and misuse of sex.
Whether a person is married or unmarried, the biological demand of life, the instinctive urge for procreation and passion continues to assert itself. It in uences all people, young and old, in all stages of life. A complete mastery over this vital and powerful energy requires the same profound understanding necessary for conquering the subtle and potent roots of violence in the human personality. Therefore, brahmacharya, in a broader sense, is to be understood and practiced by people at all stages of life, whether they are single or a householder.
Mere externals are not an indication of one’s advancement in brahmacharya. An unmarried person can be more preoccupied with sexuality than one who is a householder and may have many thoughts and fantasies about passion swirling around