It is essential to maintain a nutritious diet to ensure optimal health, even with regular exercise. The right quantity and quality of food play a crucial role in maintaining good health, often more so than exercise alone.

Regarding Vegetarianism:

While I personally prefer a vegetarian diet, it is important to listen to your body and satisfy its cravings, even if that means incorporating meat into your diet. However, it is crucial to have access to a variety of vegetarian foods, and the knowledge and resources to properly prepare them, before committing to a strictly vegetarian diet. Making drastic changes to your diet without adequate knowledge or resources can negatively impact your health.

When transitioning to a new diet, it is essential to do so gradually. Sudden changes to your diet can be harmful and can disrupt your body’s balance. It’s important to take small steps and listen to your body’s responses before making further changes.

Gain a Comprehensive Understanding of Diet through Reading Books:

Studying diet requires reading and considering multiple sources of information. Rather than relying on just one book, it is recommended that you read several to gain a well-rounded understanding of the subject. This approach allows you to absorb the information and form your own conclusions, making it a part of your knowledge base. In this way, you will not have to constantly refer to a book for information when you need it.

The Power of the Mind:

It is often said, “What one person considers food, another considers poison.” While this statement is not entirely accurate, it contains a grain of truth. The imagination can have a profound impact on our physical well-being, including the digestive system. If someone believes that the food they are eating is harmful, their imagination will focus on the potential consequences, causing the expected symptoms to materialize.

However, if the same food is presented to them under a different guise, they are likely to experience no adverse effects. This demonstrates the power of the mind in shaping our perception of food and its impact on our body.

Establishing a Healthy Appetite:

It is important to note that individual digestive capacities can vary. While one person may be able to derive the necessary nourishment from a particular food, another may have difficulties due to a defect in their digestive system or the production of gastric juices. This highlights the significance of establishing and relying on a healthy appetite when selecting a nutritious diet.

A healthy appetite has a natural inclination towards the food that the body requires the most. Appetites are generally healthy until they become disrupted by unhealthy habits such as overeating or eating when not hungry. The desire for unhealthy foods often indicates that the digestive system has been damaged by excessive food intake and is seeking relief. This can lead to an increased appetite for stimulants such as alcohol. In such cases, the craving is a result of a stomach suffering from overeating or eating without an appetite.

Gladstone’s Chewing Guideline:

Dietary experts generally recommend eating slowly, but this does not mean chewing slowly. In fact, the faster you chew, the more saliva is produced, allowing the food to be more quickly prepared for swallowing.

According to reports, Gladstone advised chewing each mouthful of food thirty times for optimal digestion. This number is nearly accurate for the proper role of saliva in the digestive process.

The Joy of Eating:

Chew your food thoroughly and savor the experience of eating. It is a disservice to your body to eat without a proper appetite. The enjoyment of food plays a crucial role in proper digestion, not only increasing the production of saliva but also stimulating the flow of gastric juice in the stomach.

When food is consumed without hunger or enjoyment, the digestive process becomes strained and proper health is difficult to achieve. Eating in this manner is ineffective, as the food offers no nutritional benefit and instead adds to the workload of the digestive organs. This can actually reduce physical strength, as the blood is redirected from the muscles to help eliminate the unnecessary burden. Eating should be a source of nourishment and pleasure, not a burden.

The Importance of Eating with Hunger:

Many people believe that they need to eat regularly to maintain their strength, but in reality, eating food without feeling hungry can actually cause weakness. A simple rule to follow is to only eat when you are truly hungry. Eating when you are not hungry can negatively impact your overall health.

How to Cultivate Hunger:

Some may argue that they never feel hungry, but this can easily be remedied through fasting for a few days. Fasting for several days can help to restore your appetite and increase your enjoyment of food. Eating the right kinds of food is just as important as eating at the right time. You should eat food that your body can digest and only eat what your appetite calls for. When you feel like you have had enough, stop eating.

The Dangers of Superfine White Flour:

Avoid consuming white flour and food products made from it. Superfine flour is stripped of all essential nutrients needed for healthy muscles, bones, and brain function. It is also known to cause constipation. Instead, opt for whole wheat bread and use whole wheat flour in place of white flour in all recipes. Whole wheat flour contains the right balance of essential nutrients needed for good health and can be easily digested. Eating acid fruits can also be beneficial. Stick to eating wholesome, nutritious foods and avoid rich, heavily seasoned dishes.

Intermittent Fasting:

Contrary to popular belief, breakfast is not the most important meal of the day. In fact, eating two meals a day may work better for you than eating three. When you overeat or eat too often, your digestive system becomes overworked and doesn’t produce enough digestive juices, which results in feeling weak and fatigued. To overcome this, try eating less often and give your stomach time to rest and produce gastric juice.

Fasting for a few meals or several days can be extremely beneficial in restoring balance to your body. Before attempting a long fast, make sure you are fully prepared and committed. When it’s time to eat, focus on eating the food you relish and avoid anything that doesn’t appeal to you.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s unnecessary to eat 6-8 small meals a day to maintain your metabolism. Eating that often is unrealistic and can be stressful. It’s better to eat one or two big meals a day without worrying about the next meal. Grazing throughout the day is not necessary and can make you feel ruled by the clock and irritable.

Adopting the Lion’s Diet:

Emulate the eating habits of a lion with Intermittent Fasting, where you have a set time frame for consuming your meals and the rest of the day is spent fasting. Typically, the eating window is 8 hours and the fasting window is 16 hours. Personally, I prefer to have one or two substantial meals per day instead of spreading them out throughout the day, including breakfast. Breakfast is often touted as the most important meal of the day, but in reality, it can slow down mental clarity. By skipping breakfast, you can increase your sharpness and focus, as the energy spent on digesting food can be redirected towards more productive activities. So, eat later in the day and maximize your energy levels.

The Ancient Sages’ Ideal Diet:

A Brahmachari is advised to follow a balanced and nutritious diet that is simple and easy to digest. This can be achieved by consuming adequate amounts of steamed or cooked, wheat/corn-based food for breakfast/lunch, and a salad consisting of fresh fruits and raw vegetables for dinner. It is recommended to have a cup of milk in the morning and evening and a cup of yogurt after lunch. The moderate intake of butter and ghee is also suggested. The purpose of such a diet is to reduce the mind’s dependence on taste as a source of pleasure. It is believed that by controlling one’s tongue, control over other sense organs can be developed and Brahmacharya becomes easier.

FOOD TO AVOID:

• Spicy, hot, sour, and pungent food items and additives.
• Onion and garlic to the greatest extent possible.
• Oily and fatty foods (Ghee and butter in moderation are exceptions).
• Fermented or overly seasoned foods (fresh yogurt is an exception).
• All types of meat (for the initial period).
• Coffee, aerated drinks, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.

These foods should be avoided as they increase the “Rajasic” and “Tamasic” tendencies in humans, igniting their sensual desires. From my personal experience, avoiding these foods leads to a calmer, clearer, and more serene state of mind. It takes a few months of strict adherence to realize the benefits of following a “sattvic” diet. With persistence and commitment, it is attainable. By switching to a pure “sattvic” diet, one will experience improved physical and mental health, greater cheerfulness, and reduced agitation and restlessness. This is crucial for someone striving to overcome their animalistic tendencies. It’s important to remember to only eat what is enjoyed, and leave all other foods aside if not relished. Sometimes, skipping a meal or several days of fasting can bring about a healthier condition, but before attempting a long fast, it’s best to be sure of your position.

The significance of chastity in thought, word, and deed cannot be overstated, as mere physical chastity provides limited benefits. The Hindu scriptures view semen or the seed in a man as the seventh and final tissue element of digestion, possessing the remarkable ability to create life. According to Hindu scriptures, this process of digestion and creation begins with food converting into chyle, then into blood, then into flesh, fat, bone, marrow, and finally semen.

According to Ayurveda, the ancient Hindu medical science, conversion of each element at every step takes five days. Thus, semen is the last element that is formed out of food. It takes approximately 30 days and 4 hours to complete this cycle. Scientists believe that an intake of 32kg (70 pounds) of food produces 800g of blood, which forms only 20g of semen. Now, you can see how precious semen is! and all of this nearly gets lost in a single ejaculation!

The shift from a lifestyle of “seminal wastage” to one of “seminal conservation” has significant benefits. By conserving semen, the body conserves a large amount of energy that was previously used to produce and replenish lost semen reserves. This conserved energy provides increased energy and vitality, a noticeable benefit in the early stages of seminal conservation. However, simply refraining from sexual activity or masturbation is not enough to sustain long-term seminal conservation. To achieve this, it’s necessary to maintain chastity in thought, word, and deed. This holistic approach, which involves not just physical restraint, but also a pure and chaste mind through creative work and meditation, helps to prevent the loss of semen through nightfall or wet dreams. Semen has three main functions, according to ancient Hindu scriptures:

1. Rejuvenating and revitalizing the physical body.
2. Developing a keen intellect.
3. Aiding in spiritual pursuits and realizing one’s self.

For a man who wants to reap the benefits of conserving and transmuting his semen, it is crucial to engage in a well-rounded regimen. This includes physical activity or sports, intellectual pursuits, and spiritual practices. Any shortfall in these areas can result in the loss of semen through wet dreams. Maintaining chastity not only counteracts the effects of aging but also enhances one’s charisma and overall happiness. According to spiritual texts, successfully conserving and transmuting semen for 12 consecutive years can lead to exceptional benefits. This underscores the significance of the practice of Brahmacharya.

“Never to lose one’s semen. It is the essence of power, strength, endurance, and beauty.”–Pranaman

In India, the belief in the power of semen is alive and well among wrestlers, also known as pahalwans. They are so dedicated to conserving and enriching their semen that they are fervently celibate. Celibacy is considered a paramount means of establishing character and discipline in wrestling, according to the principles of Brahmacharya, a key element of Hindu religious thought.

Wrestlers compete wearing only a ‘langota’ (a type of Indian underwear), and the concept of Brahmacharya is a unique aspect of traditional Indian wrestling. The belief is that retaining semen transforms it into spiritual energy, a central concept in Ayurveda. Losing semen is equated with losing strength, and wrestlers take this belief seriously. This involves not only celibacy and avoiding masturbation but also avoiding thoughts and actions that inflame sexual desire, such as avoiding thoughts of women and eating simple, unprovocative food.

The phrase “to keep a tight langota” is used to describe celibacy, and wrestlers often speak of the decline of their wrestling abilities when they “loosen their langota.” Many of the best wrestlers in India never married.

Indian wrestling, or Bharatiya kushti, is a way of life that combines sport and spirituality. The wrestlers, or pahalwans, are ascetics who are deeply devoted to seeking selflessness and knowledge of pure truth. However, even more than other Brahmacharis, wrestlers are deeply concerned about losing semen, which they believe contains the essence of life. They are even alarmed by the slightest loss of semen through nocturnal emissions.

Semen is fundamental to their athletic pursuits, and they equate the loss of one drop of semen to the loss of sixty drops of blood. It is not just another fluid, but a distillate of blood, marrow, bone, and other bodily substances, and embodies the very essence of human existence.

A traditional Indian wrestling master states that a person should treat their semen with the same care as a jeweler would with their most valuable diamonds. This idea is backed by the concept of Brahmacharya, which involves never losing one’s semen as it is seen as an essence of power, strength, endurance, and beauty.

To maintain Brahmacharya, wrestlers have a structured lifestyle and practice celibacy. They wear a langot, a tight G-string, to keep their genitalia trussed up and avoid any contact with women. They also avoid lascivious thoughts, practice chanting and praying, and keep their minds focused on the Supreme Being. Masturbation and unbidden wet dreams are strictly forbidden, and they have measures in place to prevent them, such as washing their feet in warm water before bed and reflecting on the Supreme Being.

Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining Brahmacharya, with milk being the centerpiece of the wrestler’s nutritional regimen. Milk is believed to intensify virility and is seen as an ideal liquid for adding to the body’s reservoir of semen. Additionally, ghee, or clarified butter, is believed to produce strong semen and is considered a more important source than milk.

Wrestlers also consume large amounts of almonds mixed with milk and honey, as well as hashish, which is believed to calm or erode passion. They eat lightly spiced food, avoid pickles and chutneys that stimulate sensuality, and abstain from tobacco. Alcohol is seen as antithetical to semen and is avoided by wrestlers.

Wrestling is considered an important activity for maintaining celibacy, especially among young men in their late teens and early twenties. The sport is practiced in an akhara, or gymnasium, which is free to all men except outcasts, Muslims, and women. The manager of the akhara acts as a teacher and instructs the disciples in wrestling, as well as devising a total life program for each wrestler, including exercise, food, and rest, as well as spiritual counseling.

Wrestlers view themselves as “extraordinary men who do extraordinary things to and with their bodies.” The sport combines physical activity, similar to Olympic wrestling, with a spiritual quest for physical strength, celibacy, duty, obedience, honesty, and humility. Religion plays a significant role in wrestling, and the akharas have shrines or temples on site, with wrestlers being compared to the Hindu god Lord Hanuman.

Wrestlers do not live in the akhara, but at home and attend school or work. They rise early, at around 3 AM, and follow a rigorous routine before heading to the akhara for workouts and wrestling practices. The ideal day for a wrestler involves rest, eating, and sleeping for the rest of the day, but in reality, most continue with their other responsibilities.

For individuals who have embraced Brahmacharya at the physical level, abstaining from sexual acts and controlling their thoughts and emotions, it’s essential to maintain this discipline in thoughts, words, and actions. Physical repression alone can lead to mental and physical disorders. The sexual energy is a powerful force that can be harnessed for creative and productive purposes.

Erections during sleep at night are a normal occurrence, even for those practicing Brahmacharya. These happen during REM sleep, on average, every 90 minutes, and typically last around 25 minutes, which is the length of an episode of REM sleep. Erections during sleep are not a result of sexual arousal or related to anything one may have been doing during the day.

Expulsion of semen during sleep, on the other hand, is often a result of unfulfilled sexual desires in the waking state. It may also be due to a prostate infection leading to sporadic production of prostatic fluid.

Diseases or abnormalities are an indication of negative karma caused by past misdeeds. The journey of Brahmacharya is a path towards purity and divinity. To ascend higher, negative karma stored in one’s karmic account must be worked out. Some karmas may be so strong that the only way to cleanse them is through suffering.

If you are facing any health concerns, it is advisable to seek competent medical treatment before focusing on your spiritual journey. Your health and well-being should always be your top priority.

Cold showers have been gaining popularity in recent years, and for good reason. They bring a wide range of benefits that can positively impact your health, both physically and mentally. People who practice semen retention and regularly take cold showers have reported seeing remarkable results in a short period of time, and I can attest to the benefits I have experienced myself in the last two years.

The practice of taking cold showers is not new. For thousands of years, cultures around the world have used cold water as a natural treatment for overall well-being. In ancient times, the Spartans believed that warm water was for the weak and that cold water helped to condition their bodies and minds for battle. In contrast, the rise of warm showers, with their heated water and plumbed systems, was a luxury that led to the downfall of the Spartan society.

Today, cold water is still used as part of religious ceremonies in various cultures. For example, followers of the Japanese Shinto religion practice Misogi, which involves purifying the soul by sitting or standing under a waterfall. In Russia and Finland, winter activities often include rotating between saunas and cold dips in ice lakes or snow. World-class athletes also use ice baths to speed up recovery and enhance athletic performance.

The Ancient Spartans were known for their rigorous regime, starting each day with two hours of intense calisthenics followed by a freezing cold bath. They believed that warm water was for the weak and that cold water conditioned their bodies and minds to be strong, vigorous, and always prepared for battle. In contrast, the first proper showers with plumbed in waters and heating systems were developed by Athenians, which some historians argue led to the downfall of the revered Spartan society.

Across the world, various cultures use cold water for religious and spiritual purposes. For example, followers of the Japanese Shinto Religion practice a ritual called Misogi, which involves purifying their souls under a waterfall. In Russia and Finland, rotating between a sauna and an ice bath is a popular winter pastime. Modern-day athletes also use ice baths to speed up their recovery and improve athletic performance.

So, what exactly are the benefits of these seemingly unconventional practices? Here are just a few of the many benefits (there are virtually no negatives) of cold showers. It’s important to note, however, that one should gradually work up to taking full freezing water baths to prevent discomfort or injury.

The Astonishing Advantages of Cold Showers:

1. Better looking skin and hair:

Warm water opens up your pores, and cold water closes them. Using warm water to open your pores and clean them, then closing them with cold water so they don’t get clogged again will definitely improve your complexion, which leads to a healthy ‘glow’. The same treatment works with your hair cuticles as well, leading to an overall healthy appearance (and feeling). A Cold Shower can also make you look more youthful and fresher. According to Dr. Green, “A cold shower tightens the pores, and it also seals in moisture”—whereas hot showers can make your skin drier and rough. Cold shower helps to make your hair thicker and stronger by preventing dirt particles from entering your scalp. Cold water can seal the pores in the skin and scalp too, stopping dirt from getting in. For hair care, cold showers can make the hair look shinier, stronger, and healthier by flattening hair follicles and improving their ability to grip the scalp.

2. Cold showers improve your testosterone:

If this was the only benefit of cold showers, it would still make it worth it. It is common knowledge that heat kills sperm, which is why frequent hot baths are terrible for men. Well, guess what? Cold water does the exact opposite by increasing the level of testosterone in your body, which leads to increased sperm production and improved fertility.

3. Improving your health:

The force of the freezing cold water hitting your skin gets your heart pumping and your muscles to instinctively flex. This moves blood to all your muscles, as well as your organs. Warm water does the opposite, moving blood to the surface of your skin. Alternating between warm and cold water while in the shower is a great way to stimulate and improve your circulation. This also serves to improve the immune system.

4. Conditioning you to be a Bold Man:

Taking cold showers invigorates your body and mind and leaves you feeling energized and ready to conquer the day. It is NOT comfortable at first and forcing yourself to do it every day requires inner strength that most people simply do not have. You may look forward to cold showers after a while of performing them.

5. Mental benefits:

Ancient samurai warriors in Japan used to pour buckets of freezing river water over their heads every morning to cleanse their mind and spirit; they believed it helped them start each new day and adventure fresh. Cold showers release chemicals in the brain which can improve your mood, decrease stress and anxiety, and relieve depression.

Hugh Jackman used freezing cold showers in the morning to prepare himself to play Wolverine in X-Men Origins: Wolverine Movie. He actually credits the showers for getting him in the pissed off mood which was necessary for his character.

“It’s, like, five o’clock in the morning and there’s no hot water, so my hair was full of the hairspray from the day before and I had to take a shower. It was freezing cold water, and I was so pissed. A cold shower in the middle of a Toronto winter and I had to be under there for two minutes. I was halfway through it, and I went, ‘This is it!’ This feeling was so through my body that I wanted to scream but you couldn’t, so that was kind of the character. So, every morning and every time I play that role now, it’s become superstitious, almost. I always take a cold shower first thing in the morning—just to get pissed off.”

“Semen will not stay within the man who stays in bed beyond sunrise.”— Pranaman

Rising of the Sun represents life, dynamism, energy, and movement. It signifies the heralding of a new day made by God for man to evolve further. All life on earth derives the energy required to sustain through the Sun and there would have been no life on earth without the Sun. Sunrise surcharges all animate and inanimate objects on the earth and sky with immense cosmic energy, which is nothing but Prana (life energy.) The solar energy thus generated is the chief source of Prana for plants, animals, and man to sustain themselves. Sunrise fills the entire cosmos with ‘Sathwik energy’ (energy that supports purity) and ‘Rajasic energy’ (energy that supports activity).

All processes within the human body right from digestion, assimilation, circulation, and excretion, including functioning of the brain, occur because of the Pranic energy that the Sun gives. Benjamin Franklin also said: “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

The food we eat is again a product of Prana. All plants yield fruits and vegetables using solar energy. These fruits or vegetables are then eaten by man or animals and the Prana finds its way into the human system either directly or indirectly. The Prana thus inducted through food which undergoes digestion followed by a seven-stage process leads to the formation of Rethas(semen). Thus, semen represents the seventh and last tissue element of the life process at the gross level. It is the subtlest and most powerful form of Prana in the gross bodily level capable of producing another life. Now, to understand why one mustn’t sleep during the daytime, one must also know the properties governing the night. Sunset followed by moon rise represents the end of a day and withdrawal of life energy.

Birds automatically go back to their nests and retire for the day. Moon representing female energy, cools the atmosphere, making it more conducive for plants, animals, and man to rest, relax and recuperate from the toils of day. Night is a sign for man to stop activity and rest. Moon rise increases the ‘Tamasic energy'(energy promoting inertia/inactivity) in the cosmos to help life forms retreat and rest. The energies prevalent at night are unsuitable for activity but have been created for rest and rejuvenation. Many biochemical, physiological, and psychological functions occur during sleep. What happens if a man were to sleep for a few hours during the day? First, he indulges in an activity that is against nature.

When the energies in nature are fully conducive for activity, achievement, and progress, he immerses himself in something exactly the opposite. When ‘Sathwik’ energy & ‘Rajasic energy’ (the energy that supports purity and the energy that supports activity) is predominant, he indulges in sleep, which is ‘Tamasic energy’ (the energy promoting inertia/inactivity).

When nature has made it fully conducive for man to progress and evolve, he does the exact opposite by immersing himself in slumber through sleep. This has serious repercussions at the physical, mental, and karmic levels. First, the mind and body having rested during the day become less prone to sleep at night, which is actually the correct time to rest. A man who sleeps during daytime cannot get deep and dreamless sleep that is required for revitalization and detoxification of the body at night. A man who has not slept during the day will naturally be more fatigued and tired by night and thus synchronizes with nature through deep sleep.

By not sleeping well at night, various bodily hormones (such as melatonin) and secretions necessary to detoxify, refresh and revitalize the body with health that are produced only during deep night sleep do not get secreted. The non-release of these hormones results in health disorders and rapid ageing over the course of time, leading to ill-health. People who sleep during the day and thus suffer from lack of deep sleep at night are prone to irritation, agitation, lust, anger, and other negative emotions. Sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea manifest in many.

By going against nature, man creates an imbalance within his own self for which he has to pay a penalty. From the angle of Brahmacharya, people who sleep during the day and thus remain awake at night become unfit for a life of virtue and purity. They cannot hold their semen beyond a certain period. The energies prevalent at night are meant for man to rest in a deep sleep. Instead, if man were to be awake, these energies evoke lustful and sexual undercurrents within a person, causing the mind to wander over sexual objects. This will eventually result in frequent wet dreams.

The person becomes more prone to lust attacks and constantly is hammered by lustful thoughts even the day after. Also, the best health benefits accrue further to sleeping in a pitch-dark room at night with no light. Among the various health-giving hormones released at night, the smallest amount of light, for example, prevents the release of the hormone Melatonin, which is ideally released from the Pineal gland in the brain between 2-3AM when man is deep in sleep.

For this reason, Melatonin is also called as the ‘Hormone of darkness’. The hormone Melatonin has been known to act as an active ingredient in the prevention of cancer, immune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, depression, sleep disorders, delirium, infertility, headaches, gallbladder stones, obesity and mood swings, including protection from radiation. The slightest amount of light, however, prevents this hormone from getting released into the bloodstream and hence the need for total darkness. There are many other health-giving hormones which get released only during deep night sleep and not otherwise. The correct way of ensuring a healthy lifestyle is to go to bed no longer than 10PM and wake up before sunrise while still dark. Early morning, before dawn 4-6am is called in Hindu philosophy as ‘Brahma muhurtha’ which means the period most suitable for the attainment of the knowledge of the Almighty creator, during this period all forces and energies in nature are in perfect resonance for one to attain divine spiritual knowledge, the very aim of Brahmacharya.

It is said to be the time when the gods come down to earth to bless and uplift souls who are aspiring for liberation. This is the reason a celibate is required to rise early. The man who rises early and indulges in communion with God gets outstanding success in every mode of life. Brahmacharya again becomes beyond the reach of a man who stays in bed beyond sunrise. This period before sunrise is highly conducive for the Brahmachari wanting to meditate and evolve spiritually. It is a time which is neither day nor night but in between and hence promotes the meditative state which is beyond duality.

The normal man functions at his best with regular hours of sleep at night and activity at day. Sunrise denotes the beginning of all activity with abundant cosmic energy as heat, light, and positive energy, while sunset denotes withdrawal. This is the basic norm on which all life in nature functions. You will have seen how birds chirp early in the morning all by themselves, purely through their instincts, without the aid of electronic alarms! There is not a single bird or animal on earth which stays asleep beyond dawn. Their morning tweets are a celebration of a new day and new life. Man however, because of various factors and reasons, most of which are a product of his degenerated mental state, ignores his innate voice to rise early, stays riveted to the bed and consequently loses the innumerable benefits of an early morning start to his day.

When a man adopts a life of Brahmacharya, he conserves energy that was previously being sexually dissipated. Through semen conservation and transmutation with pure thoughts, words, and actions, one can cultivate “Ojas” (divine energy) and “Tejas” (luster) within themselves. This energy is a manifestation of the universal cosmic power, akin to electricity. A Brahmachari with a large reserve of this energy becomes highly energetic and powerful in all aspects of life.

Just as a strong north-pole magnet attracts iron filings (south polarity), a true Brahmachari exudes positive energy that is naturally appealing to women. However, the aspiring Brahmachari must be mindful of their interactions with women, as lust has a tendency to arise from even innocent contact. To remain on the path of celibacy, one must be humble and always aware of the potential pitfalls of ego, lust, anger, and temptation.

The true Brahmachari understands that their power comes not from themselves, but from the divine power shining through them. It is important to remember that the ultimate goal is self-realization, and that one should never become bloated with ego, but always consider God as the doer. By remaining vigilant, the celibate can overcome obstacles and continue on the path towards their goal.

Attraction towards close family members:

The concept of sexuality one feels for women is itself a product of delusion. It results from ignorance at the innate level. Man, in reality, is the pure soul. The soul, by itself, is beyond sexuality. It has no gender/ age/ form or want. It is imperishable, everlastingly permanent, inviolable and in a state content in itself. Soul in a man or a woman is just ‘soul’, it is the body which has a male or female form. On physical death, it again becomes just the ‘soul’ with no bodily identification.

However, for creation, the great Lord has made it necessary for man and woman to exchange their reproductive elements and produce offspring. This is the primal purpose of the sexual act. Any extension of this act beyond the above said purpose leads man to associate sensual pleasure with this act heavily. He looks up to this act as recreation and relaxation. Further to many lives in this mode of thought and action, he looks at any women not as a manifestation of the ‘soul’ but as an ‘object’ of sex and so-called sexual pleasure. Age, relationship and sometimes even gender (as in the case of homosexuals) become immaterial to him. He looks at every living being only through a sexually tinted sight. The other person is no longer a ‘person’ but only an object of sex. To achieve sexual satisfaction from these ‘objects’, he lies to them claiming true love, manipulates, cheats, and uses cunning.

At the start of adolescence, sexual tendencies of previous lives slowly manifest. A strong curiosity and liking for the concept of sex raises its hood. These result from former indulgences stored in the ‘causal’ body or the ‘karana sharira’, the depository of all our tendencies and karma. At this point in time, if the sex impulse carried over from previous births is very strong, the child might get propelled into unnatural acts of intimacy with siblings or parents without its own knowledge. Before it knows what is happening, it has stepped into ‘forbidden’ ground. Under such circumstances, it forms the duty of the parents to correct, guide and show the right path to the child.

Great sages and saints across the world advocate only one thing. To consider all fellow beings as mothers, sisters, or brothers in effect. There is no other relationship in reality. Once a child is born to a man from one’s wife, the man is advised to lead a life of celibacy looking at his wife as the ‘Divine mother’. These masters were not fools to advocate such an outlook. They did it so man could transcend the concept of the ‘sex delusion’ and get in touch with the real bliss; ‘soul bliss’.

As the saying goes, the past is history. We are totally powerless to alter actions once committed. It is the present which is in our hands. With pure thinking, virtuous living, non-violence, and love/ peace toward the world at large, man can raise himself out of the deepest wells of sin.

Consider what has happened in your life as a bad dream and work towards forgetting it. Avoid and stop the recall of negative thoughts from your past in any form, for this amounts to re-living them. Positive and constructive thoughts make us confident and cheerful. We are all human and we all err knowingly or unknowingly.

An Exploration of Beauty and Purpose

Have you ever considered why youth and beauty are so attractive?

It is not just physical appearance that makes a young man or a pretty girl alluring, but rather a divine power shining through them. The purpose of this attraction is to facilitate mating and reproduction. Once this purpose is fulfilled, the physical body loses its charm and beauty.

In reality, the physical body is not beautiful, but rather it is the divine essence within that radiates beauty. This can be seen in the works of great artists who paint not just the body but also the soul. The difference between an ordinary artist and a classic like Renoir or Rembrandt is their ability to capture the beauty of the soul shining through the physical form.

It is through our connection with the divine that we are able to create and appreciate true beauty, regardless of age or physical appearance. This concept is explored in greater detail in the book “Semen Retention Attraction” by Pranaman.

The start of Semen Retention or Brahmacharya can bring about a range of physical and emotional responses in some individuals, such as an increase in sexual desire, anger, irritability, depression, mood swings, and wet dreams, as well as changes in hunger and thirst. These withdrawal symptoms are a natural reaction by the body and mind to a significant change in routine, whether internal or external.

An example of this kind of reaction can be seen in the brief fever that occurs after receiving a vaccine. The purpose of the vaccine is to build immunity against a specific disease. When a person is given, for example, an anti-typhoid injection, the body reacts to the foreign matter in the bloodstream by producing antibodies, which can cause a fever for a day or two. This fever is the body’s way of fighting the foreign matter and developing immunity.

Similarly, starting an exercise or sport can result in muscular pain. If a person begins sprinting, for instance, they may experience intense pain in their leg muscles the next day. Although exercise and sprinting are beneficial activities that strengthen the muscles, the sudden and intense stress on the leg muscles causes them to react with pain. However, continuing to sprint regularly will acclimate the muscles to the new routine, and the pain will eventually subside.

It is important to note that these withdrawal symptoms are normal and not a cause for concern. The practice of Brahmacharya is no different. However, in this case, the reactions occur at multiple levels: the physical, mental, karmic levels and these reactions are most often based on years of past activities and tendencies, sometimes even dating back to many past lives in the human and animal forms. So, it really isn’t surprising to find people taking more time to come to terms with the drastic change in thinking and attitude that Brahmacharya requires. Some people find an increase in sexual urge, anger, irritability, depression, and mood swings at the start of Brahmacharya while others have more frequent wet dreams, increased hunger, lack of hunger or thirst, etc. to name a few.

These are only indications that the body, mind, and psyche is trying to adjust to the new lifestyle and settle into harmony. The magnitude of these reactions varies from person to person and depends on the mental, physical, and karmic levels of evolution in the person. A person who was less sexed, less aggressive, and more spiritual even before the start of Brahmacharya might show lesser reactions than a person who is the opposite. The honest and gradual increase in the period of Brahmacharya from a few days to a fortnight, then to a month followed by a few months and finally to years of the practice helps the body settle into its new lifestyle with no backlash.

The most important thing to note here is to carry out Brahmacharya in thought, word, and deed and never to merely physically abstain with the mind rife with sexual thoughts. The energy conserved needs a proper channel to manifest, and this channel is to be presented as regular physical exercise, mental/intellectual work, and most importantly, spiritual activity as God-meditation. Also necessary is staying clear of people, circumstances, sights, sounds and talks that are contrary to the tenets of Brahmacharya and that may agitate and unsettle the mental calmness and harmony the aspirant is working towards.

This automatically makes a person more cheerful and at peace with himself and his surroundings, making it easier to settle into the newfound mode of lifestyle and helps cope more efficiently with withdrawal symptoms.

The right attitude to one’s occupation and work is to view it as a part of one’s Dharma or Duty and engage in it cheerfully, light heartedly, honestly and with a positive perspective without bothering about the fruits. Immaterial of whether we want it or don’t, destiny and our past karma offer us a particular path to be tread for overall evolution. It is through this path alone that the person evolves and grows, and this path ultimately serves as the medium for one’s progress in the journey called life.

The Right Attitude Towards Work:

“I will give my best at the work: God has provided me with sustaining myself and silently watch as a witness without bothering about the fruits of my actions, all the time being immersed and engrossed in God’s thought and contemplation. I will not be attached to the fruits that my work may or may not bring, but will wholeheartedly engage in work with sincerity. Let God handle the fruits of my work. I will accept what comes to me as forwarded by him, for he is the most impartial and loving well-wisher that has existed and will ever exist.”

Such a mindset allows one to approach their daily routine with a sense of ease and freedom from negative emotions, such as anger, excitement, boredom, or depression. These emotions are only triggered when we place our happiness and well-being on the results of our actions.

If we shift our focus to God’s contemplation and God’s thought as the source of our happiness, the outcomes of our daily activities and work will have little impact on our mental state and well-being. This is the message conveyed by scriptures like the Bhagavad-Gita, which teaches that the root of our sorrow is our dependence on things other than God.

Through consistent meditation and increasing our dependence on God’s thought, we can gradually eliminate our pain and sorrow. I hope this insight will aid you in overcoming any challenges you may face.

To meditate, focus on the space that appears when you close your eyes and concentrate on the point between your eyebrows, known as the “Thrikuti.” Visualize this empty space as representing the vast and infinite universe filled by the formless Almighty. Imagine merging into this infinite emptiness and thinking, “I am a part of the Lord, occupying this vastness. I do not exist as a separate entity. I am the formless, infinite Atman, completely merged in the Lord.”

As thoughts arise, gently redirect your attention back to this visualization. With regular practice and a lifestyle of yoga and unbroken Brahmacharya, the mind becomes empty, and the Yogi reaches a state of super-consciousness, known as “Samadhi.” In this state, the Yogi is completely detached from the external world and experiences themselves as the pure soul, expanding to the vastness of the universe. This experience is indescribable and can only be felt. No further action is necessary.

This is how meditation is to be carried out. Nothing more needs to be done.

Ringing noise during meditation:

A ringing noise during meditation is one among the various ‘Anahata sounds’ or the sounds coming under the purview of the fourth chakra in the heart region. There are various other sounds associated with this chakra such as the humming of a bee, the blowing of a conch, the tinkling sound of cymbals, the sound of thunder etc… Advent of these sounds again suggests the ascent of consciousness into higher planes in the metaphysical world.

These are all gestures of encouragement given by God to the aspirant on the path of spiritual enlightenment.

At this stage, I would request you not give too much importance to them, but concentrate on focusing your mind on the great lord during meditation. Make your mind intent on knowing the true form of God and meditate with no expectations of fulfilment of material desires (a true aspirant need not worry regarding the fruition of desires, for the closer he gets to God, God takes care of fulfilling even the minutest of his desires) This will clear the path for further progress.

Brahmacharya, or celibacy, is a crucial aspect of spiritual evolution. This is because nature requires a specific amount of energy for significant changes to occur. Just as water requires heat energy to reach 100 degrees and boil, converting into vapor, the vital energy in our bodies also undergoes a transformation with the practice of Brahmacharya.

When this energy manifests at the level of lust, it tends to move outward and downward, lowering our consciousness to an animal-like state, similar to water. However, when Brahmacharya is practiced for 12 years without interruption, the vital energy manifests at higher levels of creativity and spiritual bliss, moving inward and upward, comparable to vapor. This change is akin to heating water to its boiling point and transforming it into vapor.

The 12 years of continuous Brahmacharya is crucial as it leads to a spiritual state of bliss that is superior to lustful pleasure. When the Kundalini reaches the 5th or higher energy centers, the mind loses interest in lustful pleasure and is established in effortless celibacy. Until this point, the mind may still feel some attraction towards lustful pleasure, making it prone to breaking the Brahmacharya practice and starting the process all over again.

The science of Kundalini, also known as the energy centers, plays a crucial role in understanding Brahmacharya. Kundalini is the most refined form of vital energy in every being and guides its physical, mental, and spiritual evolution. Humans have the freedom to guide the activity of Kundalini through conscious evolution and self-effort.

Kundalini can be activated through deep concentration on creative activities like art, music, and technology, but this activation is only partial and does not lead to enlightenment. Regular yoga practice, eliminating impure thoughts, speech, and actions, is essential to activate Kundalini and reach the 5th center, leading to perfect Brahmacharya. In this state, even reproductive elements stop being produced, and nocturnal loss ceases completely. This stage is irreversible, and one can only rise higher from the 5th center.

However, before reaching the 5th center, Kundalini keeps moving between the lower and 4th centers, depending on the level of Brahmacharya. If Brahmacharya is broken, Kundalini falls to the lower centers and requires a significant effort to reach the 5th center again. The practice of absolute Brahmacharya is a Himalayan task, but the reward is an irreversible state of peace and bliss in all situations.

In conclusion, the practice of 12 years of Brahmacharya is crucial for spiritual evolution and reaching a state of permanent peace and bliss. Understanding the science of Kundalini and the role it plays in this process is essential for clarity and proper understanding.