Brahmacharya is not only the control of sexual impulses but is also the practice of self-control in all avenues of sense impulses and sense satisfactions.

Unless the seeker has built up a perfect cage of intelligent self-control, the entire world of objects will flood his bosom to bring therein a state of unending chaos. A mind thus agitated by the inflow of sense stimuli is a mind that is completely dissipated and ruined.

The physical body longs for contact with the world of objects for sense gratification. When we continue to live only for the gratification of our sensual demands, passions multiply and ultimately consume us. To avoid such a condition, discipline at the physical level, Brahmacharya, is prescribed.

Brahmacharya is an attitude of intelligent contact with the world. It does not mean a total denial of sense enjoyment, but only insists on not overdoing anything. Thus, to read, watch television, talk, or walk too much, or to eat a morsel more than is necessary, would be considered as breaking the vow of Brahmacharya.

When we live in self-control, we discover in ourselves a renewed dynamism and become pillars of strength in society. If this sacred doctrine is not followed, we abdicate our own freedom and become slaves to the ever-changing circumstances of life.

Also, Brahmacharya is a term that can be dissolved in Sanskrit to mean ‘wandering in Brahma vichar’. To engage our mind in the contemplation of the Self, the supreme Reality, is the saving factor that can really help us in withdrawing the mind from external objects.

The human mind must have one field or another to engage itself in. Unless it is given some inner field to meditate upon, it will not be in a position to retire from its extrovert preoccupations. This is the secret behind all success in ‘total celibacy’.

A serious seeker should not allow his attention to be dissipated into channels of worldly affairs and passions.