Luckily, brahmacharya is much more nuanced than sexual continence. The translation I’ve heard that I love the most is “walking in the presence of God” or “walking in God-consciousness,” which means turning inward and not depending on sensual pleasures or outside stimulation to bring you joy. When you act with God-consciousness, you are less likely to make impulsive, self-indulgent decisions that aren’t very mindful. Finally, practicing brahmacharya focuses the mind on the task at hand and helps us dedicate our energies to both our inner work and our work in the world.
