by Teacher Benedict Bernabe

Introduction
Brahmacharya is generally translated as celibacy but it actually means "one who is established in higher consciousness." The word Brahma means "higher reality" and achara means the follower of or "one who is established in". This higher reality is definitely not the sensual, sensorial or carnal reality. Later, brahmacharya became known as celibacy, but the original meaning of brahmacharya was to establish oneself in the awareness of higher consciousness. It is the practice of right conduct: living a life of moderation, self-control, and adherence to higher spiritual principles.

Prompt Questions
Here are some reflective prompt questions to guide the practice of brahmacharya:
Self-Awareness and Intention

1. What does self-discipline mean to me in the context of my daily life?
2. Are my actions, thoughts, and desires aligned with my higher spiritual or personal goals?
3. In what areas of my life do I feel a lack of control or excess?
4. What motivates me to pursue moderation and balance?

Relationships and Desires

1. How do I manage my physical, emotional, and sexual desires in a way that aligns with my values?
2. Do my relationships foster growth, respect, and harmony, or do they pull me toward attachment and excess?
3. How can I cultivate love and connection without attachment or dependency?

Moderation in Lifestyle

1. Are my habits (e.g., diet, technology use, leisure activities) helping me maintain balance, or are they leading to overindulgence?
2. How can I practice moderation while still enjoying the beauty and pleasures of life?
3. What steps can I take to simplify my life and focus on what truly matters?

Spiritual Growth

1. What practices (e.g., meditation, prayer, yoga) help me stay connected to my higher purpose?
2. How do I channel my energy into creative and spiritual pursuits rather than distractions or impulses?
3. What lessons can I learn from moments when I fail to practice self-control?

Practical Action

1. What are three specific habits I can adopt to foster self-restraint and balance?
2. How do I set healthy boundaries to avoid temptations and distractions?
3. How do I handle situations where I feel pulled toward excess or indulgence?

These questions are designed to encourage self-reflection, awareness, and gradual improvement in the practice of Brahmacharya.

by Teacher Benedict Bernabe

IntroductionIn Sanskrit, aparigraha (अपरिग्रह) means "non-possessiveness," "non-attachment," or "non-grasping." The term can be broken down as follows:

• A-: A prefix meaning "non-" or "without."
• Parigraha: Possessiveness, hoarding, or grasping.

Aparigraha emphasizes a life of simplicity, minimalism, and freedom from materialistic attachments. It encourages individuals to take only what is necessary and avoid greed, fostering contentment and a sense of detachment.

Aparigraha vs. AsteyaAsteya is about not taking from others. Aparigraha is about not holding on to what you already have or unnecessarily seeking more. In essence, asteya focuses on respecting others’ boundaries, while aparigraha emphasizes freeing yourself from material and emotional attachments. Together, they encourage a balanced, mindful, and non-materialistic way of living.

Prompt QuestionsHere are some reflective prompt questions to explore the concept of Aparigraha (non-possessiveness):

Self-Reflection on Attachment and Possession

1. What material possessions do I feel most attached to, and why?
2. How do I feel when I think about giving up something I no longer need?
3. Are there things in my life that I own but rarely use? How might letting them go benefit me or others?
4. How do I differentiate between needs and wants in my daily life?

Emotional and Mental Attachment

1. Am I holding onto relationships, ideas, or habits that no longer serve me?
2. How do I react when I lose something or someone important to me?
3. In what ways do my attachments (material or emotional) create stress or anxiety?

Practicing Aparigraha in Daily Life

1. What steps can I take to simplify my life and live with less?
2. How can I cultivate gratitude for what I have instead of striving for more?
3. What can I give away or share to help others and practice generosity?

Aparigraha and Spiritual Growth

1. How does my attachment to possessions or outcomes affect my sense of inner peace?
2. What does true freedom mean to me, and how does non-possessiveness contribute to it?
3. How can I embody the principle of aparigraha in my interactions with others?

Reflecting on these questions can help you embrace simplicity, cultivate contentment, and develop a deeper connection to the present moment.

Reflections on asteya, the yogic yama of honesty and non-stealingby Benedict Bernabe


IntroductionThe third yogic yama is asteya. In yoga philosophy, asteya is a Sanskrit term that means "non-stealing." Asteya goes beyond the literal idea of not taking something that does not belong to you. It also encompasses a mindset of avoiding greed, envy, and exploitation.


Aside from the obvious sense of asteya meaning material non-stealing, or not taking physical possessions that belong to others, the broader meaning of asteya includes non-covetousness, which is the removal of the desire to possess what others have, such as wealth, opportunities, or relationships. It also asks us to respecting others' time and energy, avoiding wastefulness, and not overburdening others unnecessarily.


Practicing asteya requires mental and emotional integrity, including not taking undue credit for ideas, achievements, or efforts, cultivating a sense of contentment, gratitude, and having faith that we have enough, and fostering generosity and abundance in our everyday life. It supports our yogic path by nurturing inner peace and harmony with others.


Prompt QuestionsHere are some reflective prompt questions to explore the practice of asteya in daily life:


Understanding Personal Desires

1. What do I feel I lack in life, and why do I believe I need it?
2. Are there moments when I desire what others have? How does this affect my thoughts and actions?

Evaluating Actions

1. Have I ever taken something—physically, emotionally, or mentally—that wasn’t freely given to me?
2. In what ways might I unintentionally take more than I need, whether it’s material possessions, time, or attention?

Practicing Gratitude

1. How can I remind myself that I already have enough?
2. What am I truly grateful for in this moment?

Cultivating Generosity

1. How can I give more freely without expecting anything in return?
2. What small acts of generosity or sharing can I practice today?

Mindfulness in Consumption

1. Do I consume more than I need (e.g., food, resources, entertainment)? How can I practice moderation?
2. Are there ways I can simplify my life to reduce waste or excess?

Respecting Others' Time and Energy

1. Do I respect others’ boundaries and resources, or do I take more than they can comfortably give?
2. How can I practice better awareness of what I ask from others?

Living with Integrity

1. Am I honest about my achievements, or do I take credit for something I didn’t fully contribute to?
2. How can I ensure that my words and actions align with my values of fairness and respect?

Reflecting on these questions can help you develop a personal practice of asteya and guide you toward a more mindful, balanced, and ethical way of living.
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by Teacher Benedict Bernabe
IntroductionThe Sanskrit word ahimsa (अहिंसा) means "not to injure", "non-harming" or "non-violence". It comes from the Sanskrit root hiṃs, which means "to strike". Hiṃsā means "injury or harm", and a-hiṃsā is the opposite, meaning "cause no injury, do no harm".

Ahimsa or "non-violence" is not an external act of eliminating violence from our actions in the external world, but the total absence of the violent nature in our personality. This violence is expressed not only in one's interactions with other people or living beings, but also with oneself in the form of an emotion, thought, desire, feeling, motivation, or ambition. Anything that disrupts the natural flow of human perception and consciousness is himsa.

To practice ahimsa, we must remove violence from our own nature. Therefore, we have to practice gentle loving-kindess not just to others but also to ourselves. It doesn't mean accepting or tolerating abuse or pain. It means avoiding reacting negatively or violently. Ultimately, we cultivate a totally non-reactionary within us, which leads to non-attachment.

Prompt questions
Here are some reflective prompts to explore the yogic yama of ahimsa or "non-violence":
Ahimsa towards the Self

1. In what ways do I practice non-violence toward myself—physically, emotionally, and mentally?
2. Are there thoughts or habits I have that cause harm to my well-being? How can I shift them?
3. How do I respond to conflict in my life? Am I approaching it with compassion or aggression?

Ahimsa in my Personal Relationships

1. How do I express ahimsa in my words and actions toward others?
2. Are there situations where I unintentionally harm others? How can I bring more awareness to those moments?
3. How do I handle disagreements or criticisms? Am I able to respond without causing harm?

Ahimsa in the World I create and live in

1. How do my choices—such as the food I eat, the products I buy, or the way I consume resources—align with the principle of ahimsa?
2. In what ways can I contribute to creating a more compassionate and non-violent community?
3. Are there systemic forms of harm I am indirectly supporting? How can I act to reduce them?

Spiritual and Energetic Reflection

1. How does practicing ahimsa affect my inner peace and spiritual growth?
2. Can I forgive myself and others for past actions that may have caused harm?
3. How can I bring more mindfulness to each moment to ensure I’m living with greater non-violence?

At the end of your reflection, relax the mind. The goal is not to completely eliminate violence right after reading this email but to increase our awareness of himsa in our lives that we can eliminate through mindfulness and create a mindset that is more conducive to loving-kindness moving forward.

Introduction
Christmas provides us the perfect opportunity to pause and be present. Whether you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ or the tradition of being with family and loved ones this season, there's always a reason for us to be in a reflective mood during these yearend holidays.

Jesus Christ is well respected by many yogis, who see him as a guru, a siddhi, an Ascended Master, and an Enlightened One. There are stories about Jesus and yoga that would make you pause and think—like the one about one of the Three Wise Men from the East coming from India, or another one about his lost years being spent in the East... but maybe that's for another newsletter edition! But surely, the time and the story of his birth is both a cause for celebration and a point for reflection.

For the next ten days, allow us to guide you through a few days of guided reflection and meditation to allow you to identify the things that no longer serve you so that you can leave them behind in 2024 and those that you want to manifest and embody in 2025.

Yama and niyama: the first two limbs of yoga practice
You're probably familiar with the idea that there are eight limbs of yoga practice, or Ashtanga yoga in Sanskrit (ashta, meaning "eight" and anga meaning "limbs"). Many of you are already practicing the third and fourth limbs, asana or body work and pranayama or breath work. But not all of you are familiar with the first two limbs of yoga, yama and niyama.

Yama means "personal restraint". It's the practices of "yogic self-control". They are meant to create harmony in our social and outer interactions. There are five yamas. Niyama means "personal observances". They are meant to create a sense of discipline and cultivate a sense of harmony in our inner life. There are also five niyamas.

For the next ten days, we'll go through each of the five yamas and five niyamas together. This is a simple reflection meditation practice that you can do on your own using the prompt questions provided. All you'll need is at least five minutes of quiet time for yourself. You may answer as many questions as you want. You may also write your answers down on a note or journal for future reference. 

Reflection on the first yama: Satya or truthfulness
Time: Five (5) minutes
What you'll need: Quiet time, personal space, pen and paper (optional)

About Satya
The first yama is satya or truthfulness. The word satya comes from the root word as, which means "to be". Truthfulness therefore comes from being. The root word is flipped and a "t" is added to for the word sat, which means "the highest". Truth, then, is our highest form of being. Our true essence.

​People think it is easy to speak the truth but satya does not only refer to what we speak. It refers to the awareness of what is correct, right, and true, as it is manifesting from within, and the ability to express it. Satya is our ability to observe the true manifestation of thoughts, words, feelings, actions, and desires on our lives without it being filtered by bias, ego, self-image, or intellect. For example: Some of us do not celebrate Christmas. If we do, how do we react to those who don't? Do we take offense? Is our reaction based on our inner truth or is it reflective of a bias that we have learned?

Prompt Questions:
Inner Truth
1. What does truthfulness mean to me, personally?
2. Am I truthful with myself about my needs, emotions, and boundaries?
3. Are there areas of my life where I feel I am not fully living in alignment with my truth?

Interpersonal Truth
4. How can I practice self-compassion when facing truths about myself that may be uncomfortable?
5. Have I been truthful in my communication with loved ones and people who matter?
6. Are there any relationships where I feel I am holding back my truth?

Satya in Practice
7. How can I practice satya in a way that strengthens my connections with family and friends?
8. What small, truthful action can I take today to align more deeply with satya and my inner truth?
9. How can I carry the essence of satya or truthfulness into the New Year and beyond?

Take as long as you need to with these questions. Take the whole day! Hopefully, these questions will encourage introspection in you and guide you toward aligning your thoughts, words, and actions with satya or truthfulness during this meaningful season.

See you again tomorrow!

Love and light,
Ben & Rianna