In chronic stress, we can find ourselves in a cycle of worry and anxiety, struggling to break free from its grip. Whether it’s concern about the future, regrets about the past, or uncertainties of the present, worry drains our energy and clouds our vision. However, ancient yogic wisdom offers a profound concept that can serve as a guiding light to help us harness the power within us and release the habit of worry: Brahmacharya.
Brahmacharya is the fourth Yama described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras in Yoga Sutra 2.38. The word Brahmacharya originates from the Sanskrit words “Brahma,” meaning the ultimate reality or universal consciousness, and “charya,” meaning to follow or to walk, is often translated as “right conduct” or “the path of the Divine.” The concept of Brahmacharya encompasses a holistic approach to life, emphasizing self-discipline, restraint, and the channeling of energy toward spiritual growth.
At its core, Brahmacharya invites us to nurture deep awareness of our thoughts, emotions, and actions, empowering us to redirect our energy toward constructive pursuits. When applied to worry, Brahmacharya is a potent tool for releasing the negative patterns that bind us.
Understanding the Nature of Worry
Before addressing how Brahmacharya can help you release worry, let’s look at the nature of this powerful emotion. Worry stems from our innate desire for control and certainty, often fueled by fear of the unknown or anticipation of negative outcomes. It hijacks our attention, trapping us in a cycle of rumination and anxiety, draining our mental and emotional reserves. In a state of worry, we are focused on the future and comparing it to the past. “I am worried about what may happen in the future because of what happened in my past.” The problem with fretting about the future and referencing the past is that we are not in the present moment when we do this. Yet, life is happening in the now. By using our attention to project into the future, we literally miss out on living because we are not present to live life when it is – in the now.
Embrace Self-Awareness
Central to the practice of Brahmacharya is the cultivation of self-awareness. By observing our thoughts and emotions without judgment, we gain insight into the underlying causes of our worries. Through mindfulness practices such as meditation, journaling, or introspection, we create space to process the underlying cause of anxiety. Mindfulness brings our awareness into the present moment, where healing takes place.
Practice Focusing the Mind Wisely
Brahmacharya teaches us the importance of exercising wise use of our energy not only in our actions but also in our thoughts. Just as excessive indulgence dissipates our energy, dwelling excessively on worries depletes our mental and emotional reserves. By consciously redirecting our attention away from anxious thoughts toward actions that calm the mind and stay focused on the task at hand in the present.
Connect with Inner Stillness and Silence
In the midst of incessant mental chatter and external distractions, Brahmacharya invites us to cultivate inner stillness and silence. Through practices such as meditation, contemplation, or spending time in nature, we quiet the restless turbulence of the mind, creating space for clarity and insight to emerge. In the stillness of the present moment, worries lose their grip, and we connect with a deeper dimension of being, anchored in peace and serenity.
Cultivate Healthy Habits
Another way of applying Brahmacharya as the wise use of energy is cultivating positive habits that nourish our body, mind, and spirit. Engaging in activities that promote physical health, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest, lays the foundation for emotional resilience and mental clarity. Similarly, when we foster nourishing relationships, pursue creative endeavors, and connect with nature, we uncover and renew our inner reservoir of joy and vitality, making it easier to release the grip of worry.
Surrendering Attachment to Outcomes
Central to the practice of Brahmacharya is cultivating detachment from the fruits of our actions. Worry often arises from attachment to specific outcomes, as we fear failure, rejection, or disappointment. By surrendering our attachment to how things should unfold, we free ourselves from the burden of expectation, allowing life to unfold naturally. This doesn’t imply apathy or resignation but rather a deep trust in the inherent intelligence of the universe and our ability to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and ease.
Align with the Flow of Life
While Brahmacharya teaches us the art of aligning with the flow of life. Recognizing the impermanence of all things, we embrace the ebb and flow of experiences with equanimity, knowing that everything unfolds according to the divine plan. Trusting in the inherent wisdom of the universe, we relinquish the need to control outcomes, aligning with what is happening in the present and allowing life to unfold organically.
Embracing the Sacredness of Life
Brahmacharya invites us to perceive the sacredness inherent in all aspects of life, transcending the dichotomy of mundane and spiritual. By infusing our daily activities with mindfulness and reverence, we elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary, recognizing the divine presence in every moment. This shift in perspective allows us to release worries about the future and regrets about the past, embracing the fullness of life with open-hearted acceptance and gratitude.
Live in Gratitude and Presence
When we realize that we are walking with the Divine throughout life, as Brahmacharya illuminates, gratitude serves as a potent antidote to worry, shifting our focus from lack to abundance, from fear to love. By cultivating a daily practice of gratitude, we train our minds to attune to the blessings that surround us, fostering a sense of contentment and appreciation for the present moment. Similarly, practicing mindfulness enables us to anchor ourselves in the here and now, liberating us from the grip of past regrets and future anxieties.
In the healing journey of releasing the negative pattern of worry, Brahmacharya emerges as a guiding principle, illuminating the path toward inner peace and liberation. Brahmacharya teaches us to:
- develop self-awareness
- focus the mind wisely
- connect with inner stillness and silence
- cultivate healthy habits
- surrender our attachment to outcomes
- align with the flow of life
- embrace the sacredness of life, and
- live in gratitude and presence.
With these tools at hand, we harness the transformative power of Brahmacharya to break free from the troubling habit of worry and embrace the fullness of life. As we walk this path with awareness and intention, we step into the infinite potential that resides within us, reclaiming our sovereignty and claiming the radiance of our true essence.
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Elizabeth is a Health Facilitator, Empowerment Coach, EFT/Tapping and Ancestral Clearing Practitioner, and Kundalini Yoga Teacher, helping people to step into the power of their own healing. She has turned her attention as a patient advocate and health facilitator in service to the alarmingly high population of people who suffer from stress, chronic pain, and the quest for a life free from suffering.
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