209. I lied. Tapas, sex and energy ...

I know we said we would move on, but as I was reading Swami Satchidānanda’s commentary on the Yoga Sūtras, I was reminded of something Krishna said to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gītā. Krishna breaks tapas into three categories—physical, verbal, and mental. Today, let’s take a deeper look at physical tapas.

In the Gītā, Krishna describes worship as a form of physical tapas. This may not align with how we typically think about discipline, but from a yogic perspective, physical tapas includes practices like maintaining purity, being straightforward, and observing celibacy (brahmacharya). These aren’t about rigid rules or extreme renunciation but about cultivating awareness and intention in using our physical energy.

One striking example of worship as physical tapas is the traditional fire pūjā (homa). This ritual, still practiced in many yogic and Vedic traditions, involves intricate offerings of ghee, grains, and sacred herbs into a ritual fire while chanting mantras for extended periods. The process requires immense physical endurance, focus, and discipline. Performing a fire pūjā regularly demands unwavering dedication, as it is physically exhausting, requiring practitioners to maintain strict posture, precise timing, and intense concentration. Through this practice, worship itself becomes a form of purification, transformation, and devotion—a literal and symbolic burning away of impurities.

One of the most debated aspects of physical tapas is the idea of sexual energy and self-control. Every spiritual tradition contains teachings on this—some promote complete abstinence, while others emphasize channelling this energy in a balanced and conscious way. The key isn’t suppression but skillful energy management—sturdy control, not repression. When energy is bottled up and denied, it often finds unhealthy outlets. But when directed with awareness, it becomes a source of strength, vitality, and deeper focus.

Tapas is ultimately about finding strength in managing energy—not just sexual energy but all forms of physical energy. How we eat, how we move, how we rest—all of these are expressions of physical tapas.

So, take a moment to reflect. Are you building and storing your vital energy intentionally and helpfully? Where might you refine your physical discipline—not out of restriction, but out of a desire to cultivate clarity, vitality, and strength?