Fear weaves stories in the mind about lack, not enough, and feeling unsafe. It is important to stop and explore fear reactions to discern if there truly is an issue that needs to be addressed. If not, then it’s an opportunity to face the reaction to move through it. Otherwise, behaviors that come from fear lead us into excess as we try to find safety and control. The sudden fear that spread globally like a giant wave, during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, led to a shortage of toilet paper. In a time that felt out of control, this action was something people could do to feel more safe and secure, even though that behavior did nothing to change the reality of the pandemic.

BRAHMACHARYA: PRACTICE NON-EXCESS

Brahmacharya is the fourth Yama, one of the ethical principles of Raja Yoga.  The literal translation of Brahamacharya is: Brahma – God, Divine, Creation, Pure Consciousness +  Charya – to follow, to walk, to flow with.  It is about practicing to live in accordance of a godly nature or a lifestyle that is spiritually based rather than materially based.  Many times it is translated as celibacy (as this is a common practice for yogic ascetics), non-excess, non-indulgence of sensory pleasures, or ‘right’ use of energy.

In regards to toilet paper, fear of lack led to hoarding toilet paper for some people, despite it actually not being a necessary item.  Fear leads us away from a practice of non-excess or non-indulgence. It moves us from inward to outward focus, grasping at all the things we feel we need to hold onto in order to create a sense of security. This is a false security because it relied on having toilet paper and had nothing to do with facing the spread of COVID19.

This makes me think of Steve Martin in the movie, “The Jerk.” Martin’s character goes from instant wealth and fame to losing it all. Left homeless, he clings to a lamp because it’s some material item from his time of wealth. Of course it won’t help or change his situation. It’s his mind trying to come to terms with the loss he’s facing.

THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF FEAR

Fear leads to desire and then anger when we don’t get what we feel we ‘should.’  It’s a vicious, common cycle of the human mind.  It’s so common that it is mentioned in a number of yogic scriptures, like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita.  This affliction of the mind existed when these scriptures were written thousands of years ago and continues to remain relevant today. Brahmacharya is a practice that can help to meet behaviors of excess and overindulgence.

Even though we have challenging times in life, like disease, injury, and loss, these situations aren’t all negative. They can be amazing opportunities for life-affirming change if one can shift perspective to a wider view. Many Traditional Yoga practices are extremely helpful during life challenges, if they are practiced in daily life. Practices that cultivate self-awareness, self-understanding, and support conscious change action can actually shift the way we interact with the world. They are transformative, not just ‘in the moment feel good’ actions.

Personally, the COVID-19 pandemic was an amazing learning period for me. The reason why was directly related to my continued commitment to my daily Yoga practice. I know many others who also experienced this challenging time in this way, also due to keeping a routine with activities that connected them inward.

PRACTICE NON-EXCESS AND NON-INDULGENCE

Here are three practices of Brahmacharya that I used during the stay-at-home time of COVID-19 that helped me move through stress, fear, and uncertainty. They are helpful in every day life, as well as in challenging times.

1. First, some reflection questions: Where do indulgences turn excessive in your life when fear and overwhelm reactions happen in life? Possible areas of excess that are common during uncertain and challenging times are with sleep, eating habits, TV and screen time, use of drugs and alcohol, shopping.

Once you’ve identified this, take a step in owning it. When we own and accept what is happening, it allows us to face that challenge. When we avoid, ignore, or dismiss behaviors, it leaves us powerless to make changes and care for ourself. Depending on the intensity of the attachment to that excessive behavior, you may commit to doing a week long ‘detox’ from this behavior and notice what it feels like after the week.

If there’s resistance that shows up, that’s okay! Explore the resistance because it will lead you to an unmet need that is fueling the excessive behavior. For example, no TV for the week or a digital detox (outside of work) or no alcohol (sugar, caffeine, processed food).

Find someone to help with accountability. Maybe another person who is also doing a ‘detox’ or a loved one that would be willing to refrain from that behavior for a week too.

Keep an attitude of exploration and curiosity with it.

LET GO OF STUFF

2. If you haven’t done this recently, clean out the closets!  Examine what you’ve been holding onto that you don’t use, isn’t necessary, and you totally forgot about.  Let it go!   Shed that stagnant energy of clinging and holding that accompanies excess.  Notice what emotions come up, what is hard to let go of emotionally and be with it.  Marie Condo’s book “The Magic of Tidying Up” has great questions to ask yourself to help let go of physical items in the closet and drawers.

Those material things we cling to “just in case” create a false sense of security, weight us down, and keep us disconnected from what we truly value. If you haven’t used it or even thought of the item in a year, it’s time to think about releasing it.

A WIDER VIEW OF OTHER’S REACTIONS

3. A common practice of Brahmacharya is being willing to see the divine in everyone. It’s so easy to blame and react to other people’s behaviors. Most likely what we react to in others is the very thing that we avoid or are ashamed of in ourselves.  Challenge yourself to see the divine instead. As humans, we are more alike than we realize.

I find starting with compassion can be helpful.  How is this human’s behaviors a reflection of their own self-doubt and insecurity?  We ALL feel this at some point.  What unmet need are they trying to get met with the unsuccessful action they are using? The more we understand, the more connected we are to another. That understanding widens the view. From that place, seeing the divine in action in that person is within your reach.

A bonus practice is self-compassion and seeing the divine in yourself. This also makes seeing the divine in others much more accessible.

Shanti.