2.38 Results of reverence for life (brahmacharya)

2.38 For the person established in nurturing curiosity and reverence for life (brahmacharya), great vitality and enthusiasm develop.

The essential difference in attitude between young people and old people, regardless of age, is that old people think they have already seen everything and know everything. That attitude tends to give you permission not to pay attention to the moment you are in. Thinking that way may also lead you to think that there is nothing left for you to live for. Furthermore, you may also become arrogant. On the other hand, one of the most refreshing things about little children is how they are curious about their surroundings, wanting to find out what makes things tick and how things work. This curiosity is energizing. Developing curiosity for the mystery of life can generate plenty of enthusiasm to engage in living your life to the best of your abilities. Moreover, when you cultivate reverence for life, your heart and mind open.

Has it ever happened to you that something you thought you knew may have revealed some unexpected and useful insight?
Or, is it possible that life is constantly offering you proof that you are not very good at predicting?
Can that be a reminder to witness the miracle of life directly in your own being and in your surroundings?
How do you know if you are living in harmony with life?
How do you gauge moderation in your actions?
Is there balance in your life between work, play, personal development, and relationships?
Is there balance in the attention you give to your body, your mind, and your emotions?
Is there balance between the vital energy you spend and the vital energy you replenish?
How are you learning from the essence of life?
How does learning influence your choices and actions?
If you find yourself with low energy, which of your ways of being are contributing to deplete your energy?
Which ways of being contribute to refreshing and restoring you?
Is there anything that sparks the light of vitality and enthusiasm in you?
What thoughts, emotions and actions are life-affirming?

As usual, one more way of exploring the meaning of this sutra is by chanting it.
You can choose to chant it in its traditional form with some of the words coming together:

2.38 brahmacarya pratiṣṭhāyāṃ vīryalābhaḥ
ब्रह्मचर्य प्रतिष्ठायां वीर्यलाभः ॥३८॥

Another option is to chant each word in the sutra individually:

• brahmacarya
• pratiṣṭhāyāṃ
• vīrya
• lābhaḥ

If you prefer, you may listen to the podcast:

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