8/6/26 Live Session Recording (Module 6)

8/6/26 Reflection

There’s SO much to say about Brahmacharya! I have never previously thought about privilege and systemic oppression in terms of an “addiction to privilege,” but wow, after diving deeper into this, I can really see the overlap of concepts. Long reflection incoming on my deeper dive into this:

One explanation I found described it like this: “The human brain naturally craves safety, comfort, and predictability. When societal systems deliver these advantages automatically, individuals become conditioned to rely on them. Over time, this unearned ease becomes a baseline expectation. Any attempt to alter that baseline can trigger intense psychological resistance, defensiveness, or a feeling of personal deprivation.” So basically, when privilege is challenged, the ego can go straight to defense mechanisms like denial, gaslighting, or defensive reversal because there is a perceived threat to safety and comfort. Our brains naturally try to avoid discomfort and uncertainty, and we tend to gravitate toward what feels familiar, convenient, and safe. Acknowledging and relinquishing privilege requires us to intentionally sit with discomfort and challenge the assumptions that have allowed us to experience certain things as “normal” or “deserved”.

This explanation resonated with me strongly and helped me to see the ties to addiction. I think both addiction and oppression can be fueled by a fear of discomfort and a desire to maintain control over our environment. Both can rely on defense mechanisms, particularly denial and gaslighting. A person struggling with substance addiction may minimize their substance use or blame others in order to avoid confronting the reality of their behavior. They may also distort or deny reality in order to protect themselves and their relationship with the substance. Similarly, oppressive systems can minimize injustice, deny systemic harm, and gaslight marginalized populations by dismissing or questioning their lived experiences of discrimination. I think there is also a tie to tolerance building and escalation in both. In addiction, a person needs increasingly larger doses of a substance to reach their baseline functioning. In systems of privilege, people need increasingly larger amounts of physical space, financial means, and institutional buffers to prevent them from experiencing the discomfort of the direct consequences of systemic inequality. 

I think this is especially important to consider on our journey to becoming trauma-informed yoga instructors. If our goal is to create spaces that are truly safe and inclusive, we have to be willing to examine the systems and privileges that shape our own experiences and the experiences of others. I think this connects strongly to the practice of satya, or radical truth, and being willing to acknowledge both systemic barriers and the benefits that we may receive from those same systems.

I also think it is important to avoid “spiritual bypassing”, a new term I just learned on this deep dive. Spiritual bypassing is when people use spiritual beliefs, ideas, or practices to avoid emotional wounds, psychological problems, or difficult human realities. For example, saying “we are all one” or “good vibes only” can become a way of avoiding the very real and traumatic impacts of racism, poverty, ableism, and other forms of oppression. Being trauma-informed doesn’t mean creating spaces where everyone is comfortable all the time. Sometimes being truly trauma-informed means being willing to sit with discomfort, acknowledge harm, and recognize realities that may be uncomfortable for us. I don’t think we can create genuinely safe and inclusive spaces by asking people to just “focus on the positive” (toxic positivity). We can absolutely hold space for hope and healing while also being willing to name the harm of what is actually happening.

Thank you for framing privilege in this way (as addiction to privilege) and helping me to gain a new perspective & new vocab terms!

This module provided me with a lot of opportunities for reflection. I attended the session live but had to leave early, just before the Movement Practice. One aspect of Brahmacharya that I'm still contemplating is the question: "Am I showing up for friends and family because I want something in return?" This question is significant to me, and I plan to practice asking myself this with curiosity. My trauma response tends to lead me to "react" rather than "respond," especially concerning this question, which often results in me feeling judgmental about my intentions for being present or showing up for others.  I have a history of finding validation in being there for others.  The validation that I am indeed a good person.  Curiosity led me to ask myself, in this scenario, what would it feel like in my body to give that validation to myself.  I notice that this realization has some grief that walks hand in hand with the want or need for the validation. 

I had never considered the idea of excessive empathy, especially in relation to yoga or Brahmacharya. This perspective on the concept of excess struck me as particularly interesting. As someone who facilitates art and wellness programs in correctional facilities, I often wondered why I felt so compelled to bring healing into these spaces. Initially, I believed my intentions stemmed from my experiences of having many loved ones incarcerated. However, I had never thought of it as an excess of empathy. 

When I viewed my feelings through the lens of Brahmacharya, it was an "aha" moment for me. I realized that it is possible to have empathy while also needing to reflect on my intentions. I began to ask myself whether I was engaging in this work because I wanted something in return, or if I was trying to compensate for my own experiences or those of my loved ones. This insight prompted me to consider the balance between my empathy for others and my own personal growth. 

This module was filled with so many gems.  

this module and reflections on bramacharya brought up so much for me, which was unexpected. if i summarized all of it here it would be a novel 🙂 primarily i came away from this module reflecting on how much of my stealing stems from feelings of scarcity and fear. by default i am so GRIPPY. i had thought of this as attachment (which it also is) but hadn't thought about it through the lens of bramacharya. i'm remembering a time i was so so hungry, couldn't afford more than a meal a day, etc. but also worked at a museum in miami serving very wealthy people. they threw away so much food at museum events. one day my coworkers found me sobbing over a trash can full of food. they thought i was "so full of empathy" because i was crying about food waste, but really i was crying for my own lack, crying out of anger over greed within me and others, crying from shame for eating from the trash. this moment of scarcity and many others have conditioned me to hoard and steal in small ways every day. i used to literally steal, even long after i needed to. it's been wild to me to notice how frequently these instincts still arise in me every day even though right now i'm in a place where these behaviors are nowhere needed. it's so hard to NOT say "this is mine, not yours" when you are conditioned for scarcity, but i admit that there are times when i've chosen NOT to let go of that mindset even when i could. i think this yama will be sitting with me for a while.

• What, if anything, resonated with you about Brahmacharya as an invitation toward balance or sustainability rather than restriction?

I really appreciated the lens of understanding the "cycle of intoxication" through brahmacharya. my understanding has been expanded in realizing the science of this the way Jen explained it and helps me to understand human behavior so much...as the different examples of "anticipation" were discussed, I could recall situations where I have observed these triggers showing up for myself and others-this topic amazed me at how we are so surrounded by these patterns, and it's one of those things for me that putting a name to it in this way really supported my understanding of these challenges and how they connect. I really appreciate the encouragement in how to continue to do our part in creating a more sustainable planet by picking one thing to learn about at a time and the more we can take these little steps and grow our understanding this way, it truly can have a ripple effect both in how we are able to build our own competency, and on those around us can inspire others by being able to share our knowledge.

• As you practiced or observed the centering and somatic sequence, what did you notice about your own experience? Was there anything that surprised you?

With the repetition of the tension and release and exertion practices and offerings of choice of what felt good each time, I was able to notice in my body the change in energy/ what felt nourishing—I appreciated the progression of repeating these same movements to be able to compare the difference and notice my ability to hear the options and feel myself making the choice, and it was cool to experience this on a visceral level and make the connection to what we’ve discussed about the intentions as guides to offer these choices as a way to allow participants to discover this ability to pause and connect with the body and to make a new choice in the practice.

Brahmacharya provided such an open opportunity to really think and consider how I have approached my yoga practice! I think for me, it was less about the idea of "restriction," and more about how I can find balance and intentionality with where I assign my own energy. A lot of people spend so much energy directed toward things that do not serve them, which can lead to fatigue and burnout. So many people are ready to give absolutely every ounce of energy to something, whether that be positive or negative, that it becomes so difficult to sustain. In my work with justice involved individuals, I see how easily people can become overwhelmed my stress, expectations, and the circumstances surrounding them; I think that learning to recognize their own limits and create balance can be an important, if not integral, part of moving forward.

For example, I have so many people on my caseload who have just been released from incarceration, have very minimal (or no) familial supports, no job skills, and are unhoused and battling ongoing addiction and mental health challenges. However, 80% of them will, in the first meeting, express how stressed they are about finding a job. This isn't to say that gainful employment isn't a very valuable goal, but this is maybe the first or second day since their release, when they have no means to get in contact with their mental health clinic, are on the verge or relapse or have already relapsed, and are in between stable housing. Yet they often throw all of their energy into gaining employment at a time when they realistically are unable to sustain that long term.

At the same time, this concept applies just as much to people who are not involved in the justice system, because everyone experiences stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion periods where they are giving more than they have available. During the centering and somatic sequence,  noticed how often I stay in my head rather than paying attention to what is happening in my body. Slowing down and focusing on my breathing and physical sensations has made me more aware of where I was holding tension, ad I was surprised by how quickly that awareness changed how I felt. It really helped reinforce for me that these practices can give people a simple and accessible way to reconnect with themselves, recognize that they may need, and develop more sustainable ways of coping and moving through the day.

A lot of people mentioned that stillness is the hardest thing to do. I agree. Moving around became easier than relaxing in this modern world, sadly. There are non-stop things to do waiting in the back of our head constantly. Once we finish something, another springs up right away and our mind is occupied with countless thoughts all the time. One thing I really enjoy working in the correctional facility is that I am not allowed to bring my personal phone inside while working. For 8 hours, I am free from the world. I didn't know disconnecting from the world can offer me a liberation. My mind is at peace for those moment when I don't have my smart phone. But of course I know I can't live without it. It also gives me knowledgeable resource to grow myself and help me to thrive my life. Also, it is a great tool to unite community. After studying Brahmacharya, I realize the most important thing is balance and moderation. When we conclude one thing is an absolute truth, we tend to distort many situations. 

I believe less is better. I try to make my life as simple as I can. When I have less stuff to take care of, it gives me more room in my head and peace of mind. For many years I have been trying to live minimalism but still not there yet. But again, minimalism or not, when there is a balance in life, we are more likely to satisfied ourselves and it leads to a happier life.

This module was particularly interesting to me because I work in the field of addiction and feel like this is the population I will be serving with the facilitation of yoga and mindfulness as well. As I’ve mentioned before, my partner struggles with more “traditional” forms of addiction. Through accompanying him to different support groups and meetings, as well as working my way through Compassionate Inquiry and the work of Gabor Maté, I’ve come to recognize that I have my own addictions, and I am no different than he is. In the past feeling emotional pain led to a desire of wanting to escape from that pain, and that leads to addictions. Some addictions are simply more socially acceptable, and some are even encouraged and celebrated by society.

For example, working excessively hard or becoming addicted to knowledge, as Alejandro mentioned, can be praised rather than approached with curiousity. I also have to check in with myself and really feel into why I want to purchase one more book, take one more course, acquire one more degree. We celebrate the person who takes another course, while we judge someone struggling with substance use. Yet these behaviours can arise from the same underlying pain, even if their consequences and how society responds to them are different.

I really appreciate Gabor Maté’s broad understanding of addiction: that it can be anything we use to seek relief from emotional pain that leads to craving, has negative consequences, and we struggle to stop (even after knowing or experiencing these consequences). Whether it involves substances, food, sugar, scrolling, power, money, control, or behaviours that are generally considered positive, I think it is important to look beyond the behaviour itself and ask what need it is attempting to meet.

I found it particularly helpful to reflect on what Jenn said about how our relationship with ourselves changes in anticipation of obtaining a substance or experiencing that relief. The way I understand it, the relief we seek is often an attempt to escape or soothe emotional pain. The deeper work, then, is to understand that pain and find healthier ways to address the underlying need. If the pain comes from loneliness, for example, the answer isn’t to eliminate our longing for connection. Loneliness is a human experience, and connection is a genuine human need. The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is connection. Instead, we can explore how to meet that need in ways that are nourishing rather than harmful to ourselves or others.

I live off-grid, grow most of my own food, and have moved countries (from Canada to South Africa) and in that process sold off most of my personal belongings, but still notice now and then an urge just to "buy something", or "eat something". I've come to have some awareness that as soon as my mind adds the "something", it is probably masking an unmet need, and not that there is simply a nice object I want to have, or that I'm hungry. The "something" is the important piece. Sometimes, I'm able to come into the moment and recognize it, others times I'm not as successful 🙂 

One other thing I noticed during the movement section was that the tense-and-release exercise brought up quite a lot of anger for me. I found that interesting and wanted to pay attention to what arose rather than dismiss it. It made me reflect on how different practices can affect us in unexpected ways. While I might be hesitant to use this particular exercise when working with others, I also don’t want to rule it out simply because it brought up uncomfortable feelings in me. Instead, I see it as an opportunity to remain curious about my own responses and to recognize that our experiences of a practice can be very different.