| Bramacharya is the fourth Yama, described by | | | | Coffee contains caffeine and, therefore, it must be |
| Maharishi Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutras. The literal | | | | "bad" because our senses are over stimulated. |
| definition of the root words, brahma and acarya, is | | | | After a lecture about the spiritual and physical "evils" |
| "brahmic behavior." In fact, Bramacharya is also the | | | | of coffee, a number of Yoga teacher interns decided |
| first Asrama (stage of life for a Brahman), when a | | | | to give up their morning cup of coffee. They were |
| student lives a life of celibacy and purity, while | | | | actually going through a form of chemical withdrawal |
| studying the Vedas. | | | | the following day. By lunch time, some of them had |
| In the words of Swami Sivananda: "Celibacy is to a | | | | left to get a coffee, and they said they felt better |
| Yogi what electricity is to an electric bulb. Without | | | | during the afternoon Yoga session. |
| celibacy, no spiritual progress is possible. It is a potent | | | | To be honest, some of us can give up coffee |
| weapon, and shield, to wage war against the internal | | | | without much effort, while others will get a headache |
| evil forces of lust, anger, and greed. It serves as a | | | | without coffee, and this is a reaction to physical |
| gateway for the bliss beyond, and opens the door of | | | | dependence of caffeine. So, where do we stand on |
| liberation." | | | | a cup of decaffeinated coffee? Is giving up coffee |
| How does this apply to the general population, who | | | | going to get you a pass to heaven? |
| are not Brahman? How can the average Yoga | | | | So far, we have only discussed moderation in drinking |
| practitioner live a pure life? Quite simply, | | | | coffee, but let's expand our thoughts to another |
| Brahmacharya is the path of moderation. There is no | | | | subject. If we spend our lives in worship, but have |
| need to embrace extremes. | | | | poor relationships with others, there is something |
| Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, described the | | | | missing. The people around us are worthy of our |
| "Middle Way," as the middle path between an ascetic | | | | attention, and we still live on Earth. |
| lifestyle and one that is devoted to the world as we | | | | When you consider extremes, look at our history and |
| know it. Again, this is moderation in our thoughts, | | | | the role fundamentalism has played in holding |
| words, actions, and non-actions. | | | | humankind back from progress. The path of |
| You can apply this to relationships, diet, work, religion, | | | | moderation is full of tolerance for those who do not |
| and everything else in life. If we consider diet, you | | | | live like us. A Yogic lifestyle requires moderation, and |
| may be amused by the findings. Contemporary Yogis | | | | therefore, avoidance of extremes. |
| and Yoginis have, in some cases, banned coffee. | | | | |