The fourth of our Yamas, Brahmacharya is easily one of the most difficult to understand and it can definitely be a little misunderstood in today's world.
Often translated as 'celibacy', it's easy to see why it's not a super popular concept. But really, when we think about Brahmacharya and how it relates to us in our everyday lives we are thinking about a 'right use of energy' and using our energy in a way that leads to the Divine.
Now, 'the Divine' can mean whatever you want it to mean, but in this case (in yogic philosophy) the Divine is thought of as Brahman, the creator. You might think of this as God, or the Universe or something else entirely different.
A good way to think about using this Yama off the yoga mat is asking yourself if you're using your energy in a way that is leading you towards connection, the good of mankind, and universal flow. Do you have enough energy to get where you're going, or are you expending it on things that maybe don't need quite as much attention from you?
What are your thoughts on Brahmacharya? Do you have a different interpretation? ⚡