Sri Aurobindo's Philosophy And Yoga - Some Aspects

Continence In Spiritual Life

Spiritual seekers all over the world know that spiritual life is based upon certain moral rules and principles. These are truthfulness, non-injury to others, non-stealing, continence etc. called Yama in Raja Yoga. The others are Niyama which consists of cleanliness, contentment, austerity, study and self-surrender to God, Without these virtues there can be no basis of spiritual life. '

Naturally, when one begins spiritual life under the aegis of a Guru or competent spiritual teacher, many of these qualities will be lacking in the seeker but by practice one comes to acquire them and slowly and gradually enter into spiritual life. The one most imperative need on the part of the seeker is sincerity without which spiritual life is impossible. So those who aspire for spiritual life must be above all very sincere. In spite of his failings in other respects, if he is sincere, he must arrive at the goal one day be it in this or some other life. The spiritual quest is such that once it is begun it will continue throughout our lives till the goal, that is, Yoga (Union) with the Divine is achieved. It may take 'more or less time but patience and perseverance are sure to lead the seeker ultimately to goal. Therefore, if one is sincere and earnest in his quest, he need not despair or give up hope for the Divine is always there to help him out of his difficulties. He who chooses the Infinite, says Sri Aurobindo, has been already chosen by the Infinite.

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Vivekananda elucidating the 38th Aphorism of Patanjali (by the establishment of continence energy is gained) thus observes : The chaste brain has tremendous energy and gigantic will-power. Without chastity there can be no spiritual strength. Continence gives wonderful control over mankind. The spiritual leaders of men have been very continent and this is what gave them power. Therefore the Yogi must be continent.

Again, the Yogis claim that of all the energies that are in the human body, the highest is what they call Ojas. Now this is stored up in the brain, and the more Ojas is, in a man's head, the more powerful he is* the more intellectual, the more spiritually strong.

Now in every man there is more or less of this Ojas stored up......The Yogis say that part of the human energy which is expressed as sex energy, in sexual thought, when checked and controlled, easily becomes changed into Ojas. It is only the chaste man or woman who can make the Ojas rise and store it in the brain ; that is why chastity has always been considered the highest virtue. A man feels that if he is unchaste, spirituality goes away, he loses mental vigour and moral stamina. That is why in all the religious orders in the world which have produced spiritual giants you will always find absolute chastity insisted upon. There must be perfect chastity in thought, word and deed. If a man leads an impure life, how can he expect to become a Yogi ? (From Vivekananda's Raja Yoga).

Sri Aurobindo likewise has banned all sex, gross or subtle from his Yoga in accordance with the tradition of spiritual seeking. Sex is one of the greatest hinderance to spirituality no less than the ignorant and divisional principle of Ego. The Mother of Sri Aurobindo

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has put a total ban on all sexual acts for they are so many steps towards death. That is why in ancient times in all sacred and secret institutions this act was interdicted to all spiritual seekers. Continence is the rule for all and for those who aspire for supramental truth, this continence must be replaced by a complete and total abstinence. It goes without saying that for the result to be truly beneficial, all sexual desires, thought and impulsions should be eliminated not only from the mental and vital consciousness but also from the consciousness of the body.

A Sanskrit saying on this subject runs thus : What men call Yoga, is no yoga at all. Brahmacharya (Chastity, continence) is the best of all Yogas.

A few shall see what none yet understands ;

God shall grow up while the wise man talk and sleep

For man shall not know the coming till its hour

And belief shall be not till the work is done.

—Sri Aurobindo

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