While ahimsa – non-violence and compassion is the yama that should surround every other yoga ethical principle, I have discovered from studying the historical and literal translation of brahmacharya that it is the reason we follow any of the 8 limbs of yoga.
Walking with God is a translation of brahmacharya. The reason we would have compassion upon all sentient beings is because we want to walk and behave as God does. The reason we seek truth or don’t steal is that we choose to go against our nature, instinct and habit and consciously follow a Godly life. Brahmacharya then gives us the motivation to follow the restraints (yamas) and practices (niyamas) of these first two branches of yoga.
The thing that we share with the animal kingdom is instinct, and habitual training. Many of our actions are just gut or instinctual reactions or coming from habits. When we use gift of brahmacharya, we consciously choose our actions in a way that honors our own spiritual principles. As much as possible we want to celebrate and cultivate the differences between humans and animals. That we can act in a non-violent, compassionate, restrained, moderate and pure way. That is the practice of brahmacharya.
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