The Hindu Yogi Science Of Breath written by Yogi Ramacharaka
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Yogi Ramacharaka >> The Hindu Yogi Science Of Breath
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(7) DISTANT HEALING.
Prana colored by the thought of the sender may be projected to persons
at a distance, who are willing to receive it, and healing work done in
this way. This is the secret of the "absent healing," of which the
Western world has heard so much of late years. The thought of the
healer sends forth and colors the prana of the sender, and it flashes
across space and finds lodgment in the psychic mechanism of the
patient. It is unseen, and like the Marconi waves, it passes through
intervening obstacles and seeks the person attuned to receive it. In
order to treat persons at a distance, you must form a mental image of
them until you can feel yourself to be en rapport with them. This is a
psychic process dependent upon the mental imagery of the healer. You
can feel the sense of rapport when it is established, it manifesting
in a sense of nearness. That is about as plain as we can describe it.
It may be acquired by a little practice, and some will get it at the
first trial. When rapport is established, say mentally to the distant
patient, "I am sending you a supply of vital force or power, which
will invigorate you and heal you." Then picture the prana as leaving
your mind with each exhalation of rhythmic breath, and traveling
across space instantaneously and reaching the patient and healing him.
It is not necessary to fix certain hours for treatment, although you
may do so if you wish. The receptive condition of the patient, as he
is expecting and opening himself up to your psychic force, attunes him
to receive your vibrations whenever you may send them. If you agree
upon hours, let him place himself in a relaxed attitude and receptive
condition. The above is the great underlying principle of the "absent
treatment" of the Western world. You may do these things as well as
the most noted healers, with a little practice.
CHAPTER XV.
MORE PHENOMENA OF YOGI PSYCHIC BREATHING.
(1) THOUGHT PROJECTION.
Thoughts may be projected by following the last mentioned method
(Distant Healing) and others will feel the effect of thought so sent
forth, it being remembered always that no evil thought can ever injure
another person whose thoughts are good. Good thoughts are always
positive to bad ones, and bad ones always negative to good ones. One
can, however, excite the interest and attention of another by sending
him thought waves in this way, charging the prana with the message he
wishes to convey. If you desire another's love and sympathy, and
possess love and sympathy for him, you can send him thoughts of this
kind with effect, providing your motives are pure. Never, however,
attempt to influence another to his hurt, or from impure or selfish
motives, as such thoughts only recoil upon the sender with redoubled
force, and injure him, while the innocent party is not affected.
Psychic force when legitimately used is all right, but beware of
"black magic" or improper and unholy uses of it, as such attempts are
like playing with a dynamo, and the person attempting such things will
be surely punished by the result of the act itself. However, no person
of impure motives ever acquires a great degree of psychic power, and a
pure heart and mind is an invulnerable shield against improper psychic
power. Keep yourself pure and nothing can hurt you.
(2) FORMING AN AURA.
If you are ever in the company of persons of a low order of mind, and
you feel the depressing influence of their thought, breathe
rhythmically a few times, thus generating an additional supply of
prana, and then by means of the mental image method surround yourself
with an egg-shaped thought aura, which will protect you from the gross
thought and disturbing influences of others.
(3) RECHARGING YOURSELF.
If you feel that your vital energy is at a low ebb, and that you need
to store up a new supply quickly, the best plan is to place the feet
close together (side by side, of course) and to lock the fingers of
both hands in any way that seems the most comfortable. This closes the
circuit, as it were, and prevents any escape of prana through the
extremities. Then breathe rhythmically a few times, and you will feel
the effect of the recharging.
(4) RECHARGING OTHERS.
If some friend is deficient in vitality you may aid him by sitting in
front of him, your toes touching his, and his hands in yours. Then
both breathe rhythmically, you forming the mental image of sending
prana into his system, and he holding the mental image of receiving
the prana. Persons of weak vitality or passive will should be careful
with whom they try this experiment, as the prana of a person of evil
desires will be colored with the thoughts of that person, and may give
him a temporary influence over the weaker person. The latter, however,
may easily remove such influence by closing the circuit (as before
mentioned) and breathing a few rhythmic breaths, closing with the
Cleansing Breath.
(5) CHARGING WATER.
Water may be charged with prana, by breathing rhythmically, and
holding the glass of water by the bottom, in the left hand, and then
gathering the fingers of the right hand together and shaking them
gently over the water, as if you were shaking drops of water off of
your finger tips into the glass. The mental image of the prana being
passed into the water must also be held. Water thus charged is found
stimulating to weak or sick persons, particularly if a healing thought
accompanies the mental image of the transfer of the prana. The caution
given in the last exercise applies also to this one, although the
danger exists only in a greatly lessened degree.
(6) ACQUIRING MENTAL QUALITIES.
Not only can the body be controlled by the mind under direction of the
will, but the mind itself can be trained and cultivated by the
exercise of the controlling will. This, which the Western world knows
as "Mental Science," etc., has proved to the West portions of that
truth which the Yogi has known for ages. The mere calm demand of the
Will will accomplish wonders in this direction, but if the mental
exercise is accompanied by rhythmic breathing, the effect is greatly
increased. Desirable qualities may be acquired by holding the proper
mental image of what is desired during rhythmic breathing. Poise and
Self Control, desirable qualities; increased power, etc., may be
acquired in this way. Undesirable qualities may be eliminated by
cultivating the opposite qualities. Any or all the "Mental Science"
exercises, "treatments" and "affirmations" may be used with the Yogi
Rhythmic Breath. The following is a good general exercise for the
acquirement and development of desirable mental qualities:
Lie in a passive attitude, or sit erect. Picture to yourself
the qualities you desire to cultivate, seeing yourself as
possessed of the qualities, and demanding that your mind
develop the quality. Breathe rhythmically, holding the
mental picture firmly. Carry the mental picture with you as
much as possible, and endeavor to live up to the ideal you
have set up in your mind. You will find yourself gradually
growing up to your ideal. The rhythm of the breathing
assists the mind in forming new combinations, and the
student who has followed the Western system will find the
Yogi Rhythmic a wonderful ally in his "Mental Science"
works.
(7) ACQUIRING PHYSICAL QUALITIES.
Physical qualities may be acquired by the same methods as above
mentioned in connection with mental qualities. We do not mean, of
course, that short men can be made tall, or that amputated limbs may
be replaced, or similar miracles. But the expression of the
countenance may be changed; courage and general physical
characteristics improved by the control of the Will, accompanied by
rhythmic breathing. As a man thinks so does he look, act, walk, sit,
etc. Improved thinking will mean improved looks and actions. To
develop any part of the body, direct the attention to it, while
breathing rhythmically, holding the mental picture that you are
sending an increased amount of prana, or nerve force, to the part, and
thus increasing its vitality and developing it. This plan applies
equally well to any part of the body which you wish to develop. Many
Western athletes use a modification of this plan in their exercises.
The student who has followed our instructions so far will readily
understand haw to apply the Yogi principles in the above work. The
general rule of exercise is the same as in the preceding exercise
(acquiring Mental Qualities). We have touched upon the subject of the
cure of physical ailments in preceding pages.
(8) CONTROLLING THE EMOTIONS.
The undesirable emotions, such as Fear, Worry, Anxiety, Hate, Anger,
Jealousy, Envy, Melancholy, Excitement, Grief, etc., are amenable to
the control of the Will, and the Will is enabled to operate more
easily in such cases if rhythmic breathing is practiced while the
student is "willing." The following exercise has been found most
effective by the Yogi students, although the advanced Yogi has but
little need of it, as he has long since gotten rid of these
undesirable mental qualities by growing spiritually beyond them. The
Yogi student, however, finds the exercise a great help to him while he
is growing.
Breathe rhythmically, concentrating the attention upon the Solar
Plexus, and sending to it the mental command "Get Out." Send the
mental command firmly, just as you begin to exhale, and form the
mental picture of the undesirable emotions being carried away with the
exhaled breath. Repeat seven times, and finish with the Cleansing
Breath, and then see how good you feel. The mental command must be
given "in earnest," as trifling will not do the work.
(9) TRANSMUTATION OF THE REPRODUCTIVE ENERGY.
The Yogis possess great knowledge regarding the use and abuse of the
reproductive principle in both sexes. Some hints of this esoteric
knowledge have filtered out and have been used by Western writers on
the subject, and much good has been accomplished in this way. In this
little book we cannot do more than touch upon the subject, and
omitting all except a bare mention of theory, we will give a practical
breathing exercise whereby the student will be enabled to transmute
the reproductive energy into vitality for the entire system, instead
of dissipating and wasting it in lustful indulgences in or out of the
marriage relations. The reproductive energy is creative energy, and
may be taken up by the system and transmuted into strength and
vitality, thus serving the purpose of regeneration instead of
generation. If the young men of the Western world understood these
underlying principles they would be saved much misery and unhappiness
in after years, and would be stronger mentally, morally and
physically.
This transmutation of the reproductive energy gives great vitality to
those practicing it. They will be filled with great vital force, which
will radiate from them and will manifest in what has been called
"personal magnetism." The energy thus transmuted may be turned into
new channels and used to great advantage. Nature has condensed one of
its most powerful manifestations of prana into reproductive energy, as
its purpose is to create. The greatest amount of vital force is
concentrated in the smallest area. The reproductive organism is the
most powerful storage battery in animal life, and its force can be
drawn upward and used, as well as expended in the ordinary functions
of reproduction, or wasted in riotous lust. The majority of our
students know something of the theories of regeneration; and we can do
little more than to state the above facts, without attempting to prove
them.
The Yogi exercise for transmuting reproductive energy is simple. It is
coupled with rhythmic breathing, and can be easily performed. It may
be practiced at any time, but is specially recommended when one feels
the instinct most strongly, at which time the reproductive energy is
manifesting and may be most easily transmuted for regenerative
purposes. The exercise is as follows: Keep the mind fixed on the idea
of Energy, and away from ordinary sexual thoughts or imaginings. If
these thoughts come into the mind do not be discouraged, but regard
them as manifestations of a force which you intend using for the
purposes of strengthening the body and mind. Lie passively or sit
erect, and fix your mind on the idea of drawing the reproductive
energy upward to the Solar Plexus, where it will be transmuted and
stored away as a reserve force of vital energy. Then breathe
rhythmically, forming the mental image of drawing up the reproductive
energy with each inhalation. With each inhalation make a command of
the Will that the energy be drawn upward from the reproductive
organization to the Solar Plexus. If the rhythm is fairly established
and the mental image is clear, you will be conscious of the upward
passage of the energy, and will feel its stimulating effect. If you
desire an increase in mental force, you may draw it up to the brain
instead of to the Solar Plexus, by giving the mental command and
holding the mental image of the transmission to the brain. The man or
woman doing metal creative work, or bodily creative work, will be able
to use this creative energy in their work by following the above
exercise, drawing up the energy with the inhalation and sending it
forth with the exhalation. In this last form of exercise, only such
portions as are needed in the work will pass into the work being done,
the balance remaining stored up in the Solar Plexus. You will
understand, of course, that it is not the reproductive fluids which
are drawn up and used, but the etheripranic energy which animates the
latter, the soul of the reproductive organism, as it were. It is usual
to allow the head to bend forward easily and naturally during the
transmuting exercise.
(10) BRAIN STIMULATING.
The Yogis have found the following exercise most useful in stimulating
the action of the brain for the purpose of producing clear thinking
and reasoning. It has a wonderful effect in clearing the brain and
nervous system, and those engaged in mental work will find it most
useful to them, both in the direction of enabling them to do better
work and also as a means of refreshing the mind and clearing it after
arduous mental labor.
Sit in an erect posture, keeping the spinal column straight, and the
eyes well to the front, letting the hands rest on the upper part of
the legs. Breathe rhythmically, but instead of breathing through both
nostrils as in the ordinary exercises, press the left nostril close
with the thumb, and inhale through the right nostril. Then remove the
thumb, and close the right nostril with the finger, and then exhale
through the left nostril. Then, without changing the fingers, inhale
through the left nostril, and changing fingers, exhale through the
right. Then inhale through right and exhale through left, and so on,
alternating nostrils as above mentioned, closing the unused nostril
with the thumb or forefinger. This is one of the oldest forms of Yogi
breathing, and is quite important and valuable, and is well worthy of
acquirement. But it is quite amusing to the Yogis to know that to the
Western world this method is often held out as being the "whole
secret" of Yogi Breathing. To the minds of many Western readers, "Yogi
Breathing" suggests nothing more than a picture of a Hindu, sitting
erect, and alternating nostrils in the act of breathing. "Only this
and nothing more." We trust that this little work will open the eyes
of the Western world to the great possibilities of Yogi Breathing, and
the numerous methods whereby it may be employed.
(11) THE GRAND YOGI PSYCHIC BREATH.
The Yogis have a favorite form of psychic breathing which they
practice occasionally, to which has been given a Sanscrit term of
which the above is a general equivalent. We have given it last, as it
requires practice on the part of the student in the line of rhythmic
breathing and mental imagery, which he has now acquired by means of
the preceding exercises. The general principles of the Grand Breath
may be summed up in the old Hindu saying: "Blessed is the Yogi who can
breathe through his bones." This exercise will fill the entire system
with prana, and the student will emerge from it with every bone,
muscle, nerve, cell, tissue, organ and part energized and attuned by
the prana and the rhythm of the breath. It is a general housecleaning
of the system, and he who practices it carefully will feel as if he
had been given a new body, freshly created, from the crown of his head
to the tips of his toes. We will let the exercise speak for itself.
(1) Lie in a relaxed position, at perfect ease.
(2) Breathe rhythmically until the rhythm is perfectly
established.
(3) Then, inhaling and exhaling, form the mental image of
the breath being drawn up through the bones of the legs, and
then forced out through them; then through the bones of the
arms; then through the top of the skull; then through the
stomach; then through the reproductive region; then as if it
were traveling upward and downward along the spinal column;
and then as if the breath were being inhaled and exhaled
through every pore of the skin, the whole body being filled
with prana and life.
(4) Then (breathing rhythmically) send the current of prana
to the Seven Vital Centers, in turn, as follows, using the
mental picture as in previous exercises:
(a) To the forehead.
(b) To the back of the head.
(c) To the base of the brain.
(d) To the Solar Plexus.
(e) To the Sacral Region (lower part of the spine).
(f) To the region of the navel.
(g) To the reproductive region.
Finish by sweeping the current of prana, to and fro from
head to feet several times.
(5) Finish with Cleansing Breath.
CHAPTER XVI.
YOGI SPIRITUAL BREATHING.
The Yogis not only bring about desired mental qualities and properties
by will-power coupled with rhythmic breathing, but they also develop
spiritual faculties, or rather aid in their unfoldment, in the same
way. The Oriental philosophies teach that man has many faculties which
are at present in a dormant state, but which will become unfolded as
the race progresses. They also teach that man, by the proper effort of
the will, aided by favorable conditions, may aid in the unfoldment of
these spiritual faculties, and develop them much sooner than in the
ordinary process of evolution. In other words, one may even now
develop spiritual powers of consciousness which will not become the
common property of the race until after long ages of gradual
development under the law of evolution. In all of the exercises
directed toward this end, rhythmic breathing plays an important part.
There is of course no mystic property in the breath itself which
produces such wonderful results, but the rhythm produced by the Yogi
breath is such as to bring the whole system, including the brain,
under perfect control, and in perfect harmony, and by this means, the
most perfect condition is obtained for the unfoldment of these latent
faculties.
In this work we cannot go deeply into the philosophy of the East
regarding spiritual development, because this subject would require
volumes to cover it, and then again the subject is too abstruse to
interest the average reader. There are also other reasons, well known
to occultists, why this knowledge should not be spread broadcast at
this time. Rest assured, dear student, that when the time comes for
you to take the next step, the way will be opened out before you.
"When the chela (student) is ready, the guru (master) appears." In
this chapter we will give you directions for the development of two
phases of spiritual consciousness, i.e., (1) the consciousness of the
identity of the Soul, and (2) the consciousness of the connection of
the Soul with the Universal Life. Both of the exercises given below
are simple, and consist of mental images firmly held, accompanied with
rhythmic breathing. The student must not expect too much at the start,
but must make haste slowly, and be content to develop as does the
flower, from seed to blossom.
SOUL CONSCIOUSNESS.
The real Self is not the body or even the mind of man. These things
are but a part of his personality, the lesser self. The real Self is
the Ego, whose manifestation is in individuality. The real Self is
independent of the body, which it inhabits, and is even independent of
the mechanism of the mind, which it uses as an instrument. The real
Self is a drop from the Divine Ocean, and is eternal and
indestructible. It cannot die or be annihilated, and no matter what
becomes of the body, the real Self still exists. It is the Soul. Do
not think of your Soul as a thing apart from you, for YOU are the
Soul, and the body is the unreal and transitory part of you which is
changing in material every day, and which you will some day discard.
You may develop the faculties so that they will be conscious of the
reality of the Soul, and its independence of the body. The Yogi plan
for such development is by meditation upon the real Self or Soul,
accompanied by rhythmic breathing. The following exercise is the
simplest form.
EXERCISE.--Place your body in a relaxed, reclining position. Breathe
rhythmically, and meditate upon the real Self, thinking of yourself as
an entity independent of the body, although inhabiting it and being
able to leave it at will. Think of yourself, not as the body, but as a
spirit, and of your body as but a shell, useful and comfortable, but
not a part of the real You. Think of yourself as an independent being,
using the body only as a convenience. While meditating, ignore the
body entirely, and you will find that you will often become almost
entirely unconscious of it, and will seem to be out of the body to
which you may return when you are through with the exercise.
This is the gist of the Yogi meditative breathing methods, and if
persisted in will give one a wonderful sense of the reality of the
Soul, and will make him seem almost independent of the body. The sense
of immortality will often come with this increased consciousness, and
the person will begin to show signs of spiritual development which
will be noticeable to himself and others. But he must not allow
himself to live too much in the upper regions, or to despise his body,
for he is here on this plane for a purpose, and he must not neglect
his opportunity to gain the experiences necessary to round him out,
nor must he fail to respect his body, which is the Temple of the
Spirit.
THE UNIVERSAL CONSCIOUSNESS.
The Spirit in man, which is the highest manifestation of his Soul, is
a drop in the ocean of Spirit, apparently separate and distinct, but
yet really in touch with the ocean itself, and with every other drop
in it. As man unfolds in spiritual consciousness he becomes more and
more aware of his relation to the Universal Spirit, or Universal Mind
as some term it. He feels at times as if he were almost at-one-ment
with it, and then again he loses the sense of contact and
relationship. The Yogis seek to attain this state of Universal
Consciousness by meditation and rhythmic breathing, and many have thus
attained the highest degree of spiritual attainment possible to man in
this stage of his existence. The student of this work will not need
the higher instruction regarding adeptship at this time, as he has
much to do and accomplish before he reaches that stage, but it may be
well to initiate him into the elementary stages of the Yogi exercises
for developing Universal Consciousness, and if he is in earnest he
will discover means and methods whereby he may progress. The way is
always opened to him who is ready to tread the path. The following
exercise will be found to do much toward developing the Universal
Consciousness in those who faithfully practice it.
EXERCISE.--Place your body in a reclining, relaxed position. Breathe
rhythmically, and meditate upon your relationship with the Universal
Mind of which you are but an atom. Think of yourself as being in touch
with All, and at-one-ment with All. See All as One, and your Soul as a
part of that One. Feel that you are receiving the vibrations from the
great Universal Mind, and are partaking of its power and strength and
wisdom. The two following lines of meditation may be followed.
(a) With each inhalation, think of yourself as drawing in to yourself
the strength and power of the Universal Mind. When exhaling think of
yourself as passing out to others that same power, at the same time
being filled with love for every living thing, and desiring that it be
a partaker of the same blessings which you are now receiving. Let the
Universal Power circulate through you.
(b) Place your mind in a reverential state, and meditate upon the
grandeur of the Universal Mind, and open yourself to the inflow of the
Divine Wisdom, which will fill you with illuminating wisdom, and then
let the same flow out from you to your brothers and sisters whom you
love and would help.
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