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In Hinduism, the Brahmacharya
phase is referred to as the second phase of human
life. It is also known as Dwija, which means second
birth. Often the life cycle of a bird is used
as an example for Dwija. The bird is born the
first time as an egg and then a second time when
it hatches into a bird. |
Brahmacharya
is derived from the word 'Brahma' which signifies
God or the ultimate reality and 'Char', which
means to follow or practice. During the Dwija
phase, as the word Brahmacharya implies, the individual
is in a quest for personal realization of Brahma.
If we go back a few centuries during the Brahmacharya
phase, the child between the ages of six to fifteen
start living with their teacher or otherwise know
as guru. They perform the house hold chores for
him while learning many things. These places were
called 'Gurukula', and are similar to that of
a boarding school.
An individual is introduced
into the Brahmacharya phase of life through a
sacred thread ceremony known as 'Upanayanam'.
A white thread is placed across their torso during
this ceremony, as seen on the Priests in Hindu
temples. In Southern India, this sacred thread
is known as poonal(poo-nool) and in Northern India
it is referred to as janav. During the Upanayanam,
the child is taught the secret mantra know as
'Brahma-Updesh' (Brahma meaning God and Updesh
meaning advise). The mantras are to be chanted
several times following their morning bath and
evening meal. These and several other rituals
are taught to help the person lead a devout and
pure life.
Analyzing it further, Dwija
is a human method of entering into this phase
of life when one is to realize God. In this phase,
the pursuit of God is the key factor. Personally,
after practicing these rituals for a few years,
I began to wonder how long it would take for me
to find God. I then began to ask several senior
Brahmins in my immediate circle to see if and
when they had encountered God. To my surprise,
they informed me that I should be focusing on
the pursuit and really encouraged me to concentrate
on the journey, not on reaching the goal. This
response dissatisfied me greatly. The thought
of never connecting with God resulted in a feeling
of deep emptiness. I desired all the more to meet
with God. Therefore, I thought I would increase
my chances to encounter God by intensifying my
daily practices and involving myself in yoga and
meditation. However, after several years of this,
I became internally, more conscious of my emptiness
than ever before.
This spiritual hunger phase
of life reminds me of an encounter Nicodemus had
with Yehsu or Jesus. Nicodemus comes to Jesus
one night and says, "Rabbi, we know that
you are a teacher who has come from God. For no
one could perform the miraculous signs you are
doing if God were not with him". In reply
Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no
one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born
again". Jesus continues and says, "I
tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom
of God unless he is born of water and Spirit(Pavitra
Atma).
Jesus later elaborates how
only the Spirit of God can initiate this new birth.
In fact, this new life that God begins is called
eternal life. This is similar to the concept of
Jeevan Mukti, which is attaining eternal life
while you are still alive. When we read this it
seems like Jesus is asking us to go back and get
the Upanayanam, in the right manner. The right
manner being the one that is initiated by God
Himself. How is this possible? In fact this is
exactly what Nicodemus asked Jesus: "How
can this be?".
In response, Jesus explains
how God loved the world so much that He allowed
Jesus to become the sacrifice for all our sins(Prayaschit
for all our Karma). Now, whoever believes in God's
approach, will not perish but have eternal life.
The day that Jesus died for our sins/karma is
remembered today as Good Friday. His death became
the means by which mankind can receive eternal
life when they believe. Since His death is able
to compensate for all our unrighteousness(adarma),
the only act that is left is on our end is to
believe and surrender our lives to Jesus. Surrender
of our life to Jesus is essentially dying to our
self and living for Jesus. When a person does
this, God begins a new life in them.
Are you ready for the true
spiritual journey, which is initiated by God himself?
Interestingly, the beginning of this new life
is also a parallel to the resurrection Sunday(celebrated
as Easter), when Jesus came back to life in the
same body (in glorified state).
For the reason, the real Good
Friday(Jesus dying for us) and Easter(Jesus raising
from the dead), we are able to begin God's version
of Brahmacharya phase. This is done by believing(by-living)
in God's work. This is done by total surrender
to Jesus(your personal Good Friday), followed
by receiving the New Life he offers(your personal
Easter). |
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