Search This Blog

Thursday, June 18, 2026

How pranayama helps + 7 more

Baba
How pranayama helps

Namaskar, 

It happens that some try and do sadhana but can't concentrate. This letter addresses this problem and offers a key solution.

As many Ananda Margiis know, our sadhana system is unique as it enables us to reach life divine and become one with Parama Purusa. Verily great sadhakas in Ananda Marga aspire towards this aim. The more sadhana one does, the more intimate their link with Parama Purusa becomes. Life becomes blissful.

So our Ananda Marga sadhana system is the spiritual-cum-scientific approach for becoming one with Brahma. Along the way life becomes blissful. All the lessons of sadhana are important. Each lesson serves a particular purpose and complements one’s entire journey of sadhana. That is why not a single lesson should be neglected; all should be regularly practiced. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Link between pranayama & dhyana

Of all our sadhana lessons, dhyana is the most important as it is only with dhyana that moksa is attained. Here below Baba pointedly states that without pranayama, proper dhyana is very difficult.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "There is an inseparable relationship between the va'yus of the body [ten basic energy flows] and the mind. Unsteadiness of respiration means unsteadiness of mind and vice versa. Pra'n'a'ya'ma is the scientific process to control respiration and hence the mind, as a result of which sa'dhana' is especially facilitated. The practice of dhya'na becomes a time-consuming affair if pra'n'a'ya'ma is not adequately practised." (1)

By His above guideline, it is clear that pranayama is an integral link for doing dhyana sadhana. Hence if one is not doing pranayama regularly, then for them sadhana will just remain a dream only.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Delicateness of pranayama & why some skip it


There are many dos and don'ts related with the practice of pranayama. For example, if the air in the room is not clean, or if one’s mind is imbalanced, or if one is not focused on Parama Purusa, then one is not to practice pranayama. The proper understanding of this, of course, is that one should do pranayama regularly, abiding by the aforementioned points.

Unfortunately, what happens is that some sadhakas, due to fear, may skip pranayama entirely. But this habit of unnecessarily skipping pranayama is detrimental as pranayama enhances one's concentration in dhyana whereby one can reach the Parama Purusa. Indeed, Baba guides us that without pranayama, dhyana is very difficult.

Here is a brief overview of some of Baba's teachings about the highly important practice of pranayama.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Why pranayama is not for non-bhaktas


First Baba describes how the function of pranayama is to control the ten vital airs and by this way the mind becomes concentrated.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The process by which the pra'n'as in the body are controlled is called pra'n'a'ya'ma. Pra'n'a, apa'na, sama'na, uda'na, vya'na, na'ga, ku'rma, krkara, devadatta, and dhanainjaya – the collective name of these ten vital forces is pra'n'a'h. If you wish to increase your apperceptive power you must control the pra'n'a'h. Through regular practice, the mind will become concentrated. Pra'n'a'ya'ma is meant for sa'dhakas – it is better for non-sa'dhakas not to take the risk of injuring themselves by doing pra'n'a'ya'ma." (2)

So pranayama is one of the key tools for raising our level of concentration and it is a practice aimed specifically for sadhakas. All those materialistic, fake yogiis who do pranayama without cosmic ideation are doing more harm than good. Because pranayama is essentially for those sincerely involved in spiritual pursuits - i.e. the attainment of Brahma.

The main point is that one has to do pranayama in order to control the mind. By skipping pranayama, one’s spiritual progress will be hindered. So a practitioner should do everything possible to be regular in the practice of pranayama and thereby get all the benefits. Here regular means two or four times per day.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

When sadhana is not good then life becomes boring and loses its charm. Those who have experienced good sadhana in their life always long for that. In sahaja yoga there are various lessons that help the main lessons. So all the lessons should be practiced. Pranayama is very helpful so it should be done before the last lesson. By this way gradually the mind will become calm and one will have better sadhana, by His grace. 

Namaskar,
In Him,
Vidya’bhu’s’an’a

~ In-depth study ~

A few questions & answers about pranayama

Next Baba provides us with some special questions and answers about the practice of pranayama.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What is pra'n'a'ya'ma?"

"Answer: Pra'n'a'ya'ma is defined as:"

Tasmin sati shva'sa prashva'sayoh gativicchedah pra'n'a'ya'ma.

"That is, pra'n'a'ya'ma is the process of breath control along with the imposition of the ideation of Supreme Consciousness. It helps the mind in concentration and meditation." (3)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What is the spirit of pra'n'a'ya'ma?"

"Answer: Pra'na'n yamayati es'ah pra'n'a'ya'ma. That is, the word pra'n'a'ya'ma literally means “controlling the pra'n'a'h [vital energy]”. The psycho-philosophy behind the practice of pra'n'a'ya'ma is that the spiritual aspirant tries to let the pra'n'endriya [ten vital-energy currents] remain in a state of pause so that the paused unit mind will merge into the ocean of consciousness." (4)

By His above questions and answers we can understand that pranayama is that special process which helps concentrate the mind and ultimately allows the sadhaka to drift in that infinite ocean of Supreme bliss. By this we can understand that we should take every possible effort to do our pranayama properly, 2 or 4 times a day.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Devoid of cosmic ideation pra'n'a'ya'ma is very harmful


Following, Baba issues one of His chief warnings about the practice of pranayama. Baba warns us what will happen if the mind is lodged in a selfish way of thinking when doing pranayama.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "There are abuses of pra'n'a'ya'ma also. If sa'dhakas during the period of pra'n'a'ya'ma-induced contraction, indulge themselves merely in the parading of their own petty vanity instead of using that force of contraction for the inculcation of brahmabha'va (cosmic ideation); that is, if they devote themselves to the expression of their own little egos, they will gradually tend towards crudeness...Pra'n'a'ya'ma is exceedingly harmful – devastatingly disastrous – for those without cosmic ideation or Brahmabha'va." (5)

So when doing pranayama one should be in a subtle state of mind - focused on the Ista. And, in general, when doing sadhana every sadhaka is involved in thinking and ideating on Brahma, in which case the practice of pranayama will be highly beneficial. So skipping pranayama will hinder one’s progress on the path of sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Pranayama is a helping lesson


Here is one special point. Many of the things done in the spiritual routine are supportive aspects for doing sadhana. In particular, asanas and pranayama are helping tools for the sadhana lessons of iishvara pranidhana and dhyana, i.e. first and sixth lessons.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "A'sana and pra'n'a'ya'ma, for example, are helping items. They are not sa'dhana', they are called sa'dhana'unga." (6)

Our other lessons of meditation like tattva dharana (3rd lesson) and cakra shodhana (5th lesson) also fall in the realm of sa'dhana'unga. That is, they are helping lessons for doing the primary lessons of sadhana which are first and sixth lessons, respectively.

So pranayama is an essential element of sadhana which is not to be skipped. Here below Baba guides us about the unparalleled importance of doing sadhana.

Ananda Marga philosophy, "The main purpose of human beings coming here to this earth is to do spiritual practice. One is to render social service, one is to learn, one is to go through books, one is to help others, one is to do anything and everything just to encourage and accelerate the process of sa'dhana'. Sa'dhana' is the main theme of life. Whatever you do in the world, you should do it with a view to promote your sa'dhana' and help the sa'dhana' of others. Human beings come to earth to practise sa'dhana', to move closer to Iishvara, the Supreme Goal – to come closer to Parama Purus'a. Thus, the deeds of human beings will not be like the deeds of animals. Whatever human beings will do, they will do in such a manner that the progress in their sa'dhana' will go on accelerating." (7)

So when sadhana is the main reason for coming on this earth and when pranayama is such an integral element of enhancing and perfecting sadhana, by practicing regularly, one will experience sweet and blissful sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

One will be getting this divine favour


Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "By dint of sa'dhana', one is to arouse and exalt that sleeping divinity. That svayambhu'liunga becomes one with shambhu'liunga. But for this one requires divine help. And I know one is sure to get divine help. And I know further that one is getting divine help. And I know still further that in future, for infinite time and infinite space, one will be getting this divine favour. And you are all sa'dhakas. You will certainly attain that supreme stance and enjoy that divine blessedness. You are sure to enjoy it, my sons and my daughters." (8)

Pranayama helps dhyana sadhana. Hence if one is not doing pranayama regularly, then for them blissful sadhana will just remain a dream only.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

References
1. Caryacarya - 1, Sádhaná, Point #4
2. Caryacarya - 3, Práńáyáma
3. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, Question #11
4. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, Question #12
5. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 5
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, 'How to Concentrate'
7. Yoga Psychology, The Human Body Is a Biological Machine
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Stages of Samádhi


*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Not just an illusion

Note: Only those who sincerely practice the higher lessons of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart.

PS Intro: Throughout the vast gift of Prabhat Samgiita, in most songs the bhakta and Parama Purusa are communicating with one another. In some of the songs the style of conversation is direct while others are indirect. When the style of expression is indirect, it is not that the sadhaka is having a conversation with another sadhaka. But the bhakta is communicating with Parama Purusa - using indirect language.

Here in this song, in the first stanza, Parama Purusa is addressing the bhakta; whereas in the second and third stanzas, the bhakta is addressing Parama Purusa. This following song describes the start of creation and how Parama Purusa plays His divine liila, as well as how a sadhaka can become one with Him - by His grace. 

“Arúp devatá rúper deule, kár lági tumi tithi gono...” (Prabhat Samgiita #0365) 

Purport:

Bhakta, the formless Nirguna Brahma has come in the temple of form. He has manifested Himself in the charming form of Taraka Brahma. The Entity for whom You are longing has already arrived. So now, for which Divine Entity are you counting the days? For Whose auspicious advent are you waiting in longing? O’ bhakta, why are you unnecessarily weaving your dreams about those things which are not going to remain forever. Why are you putting all your hopes in this temporary, ephemeral world? To what end are you fully engaged, day and night, in toiling in mundane activities. This world is transitory - today it is and tomorrow it is no more.

Baba, my Bandhu, by Your grace, this world of forms goes on merging into the formless Nirguna Brahma. In due course, step by step, all the entities of this creation become one with Him. He is the final Goal and supreme desideratum of all. Then for what reason or purpose are You fully engaged in Your divine liila of creating this colourful universe of forms and figures when there is no lasting benefit of doing this.

Supreme Guide Baba, I know that Your creation is not just an illusion. And by Your grace, at the same time, I also know that Your flow of imagination - i.e. this creation - is not permanent either. You have blessed me with the understanding that this world is a relative reality that is always undergoing change. In this creation of Yours, everything is a passing phenomena, a moving scene. Then why do You infuse blind attachment in the minds of living beings towards this created world? Due to this, people forget that one day they will have to leave this world, and that they have come here for spiritual practice. Everything else is for objective adjustment. The main goal is that eternal companion God. Due to moha, people lust for power, post, money, and beauty and forget the purpose of their arrival on this earth. They waste their time and die one day without moving even one step closer to Parama Purusa.

My Divine One, please shower Your karun’a’ so I can always remember this eternal truth...


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Animal killing against neo-humanism

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Senseless, sadistic killing is called pishunatá vrtti. If meat-eaters slaughter animals in the way that inflicts the least pain, that is not pishunatá; but if they kill them slowly and cruelly, first chopping off their legs, then their tails, then their heads, it is definitely pishunatá. These days in many civilized countries people are unable to give up meat-eating, but have at least devised modern methods to kill the animals less painfully. But remember, the killing of animals, no matter how it is done, is contrary to the spirit of Neohumanism."
   "Once I saw a harrowing sight in a market place: part of a live tortoise had just been chopped off and sold, but the poor creature was not completely dead and was trying to crawl away, leaving a stream of blood. Such cruel things should be abolished altogether. The cruel slaughter of that innocent tortoise is certainly a case of pishunatá."
   "To kill human beings is totally undesirable, but if people do want to eliminate their [a'tata'yii], they should do so with a minimum of torture. The kings of old used to kill criminals by impaling them on spikes; or by half-burying them in the ground, sprinkling salt over them, and letting the dogs eat them. Sometimes people were flayed alive. These actions certainly deserve universal condemnation." (1)

A'tata'yii: A person armed with weapons who comes to your home to kill you.

Note: In many parts of India, animal torture occurs in the wide open. If you walk around the main vegetable market then in one corner there are non-veg items. Live animals are tortured before your very eyes. It occurs along the roadside as well. One particular religion is most notorious in this regard. They always do this on the roadside. If customers want to purchase a live chicken then the merchant will snatch up a chicken, yank the wings off and throw it in the garbage, callously remove the feathers and snap the chicken’s neck right in front of you. And then they put it in the bag for the customer to take away. It all happens in the open. For meat-eaters this may be normal but for non meat-eaters it is repulsive how they are forced to bear witness to this. It is so disgraceful how people tolerate this in the name of religion.

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell Part 8, The Acoustic Roots of the Indo-Aryan Alphabet


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Only spiritual revolutionaries can lead Prout

Prout philosophy states, “Those who have a correct philosophy and a correct spiritual sádhaná based on the principles of Yama and Niyama will be the guiding personalities in the society of tomorrow. It is the duty of conscious people to snatch away the physical power and the intellectual leadership from the hands of political hypocrites. Politicians are of no use to society because they are engaged in the business of mudslinging and nothing else. If sadvipras [spiritual revolutionaries who follow Yama and Niyama] get active mass support, revolution is bound to come. In case a government adopts the ideals of Prout, the rule of sadvipras will prevail. If the same is not adopted by the government, a physical revolution is sure to come, and ultimately power will be transferred to the sadvipras.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 5, Discourses on Prout, Point #4


== Section: Important Teaching ==

How jubilee celebration to be done

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, "There is a subterranean flow of love and devotion in people's minds for those sages and saints, as those saints rose above narrow sentiments to propagate the ideals of unity and fraternity. Their writings create a stir in people's minds. So the popularisation of these personalities is essential to inspire unity among the masses."
   "The contemporary leaders do not try to give a practical shape to any of the aforementioned human qualities. They merely deliver high-sounding lectures. Those great personalities of the past provide good opportunities for them to organize bicentennial and anniversary celebrations. They consider that by merely uttering a few well-rehearsed sentences, they are paying a wonderful tribute to those great personalities. These leaders do not realize what an important contribution the great personalities can still give to further the country's welfare. Thus the great ideals are disappearing from social life and disunity is increasing among the people."
   "To establish lasting unity in human society, besides the above two sentiments, the spiritual sentiment is indispensable. The unity that grows from the collective psychology in the social, psychic and economic spheres, is the first step towards a greater unity. This can lead to the formation of a nation or greater internal unity in a country. But once the problem out of which the sentiment grew is solved, the common link is broken. That is why for permanent unity a spiritual outlook is necessary." (1)

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 2, Human Society Is One and Indivisible – 2


== Section: Important Teaching ==
 
How rich people are real criminals…

In this below teaching Baba is pointing out how rich people indulge in anti-social activities like adulteration, drug dealing, and many other vices and illicit affairs. And they employ poor people to do the work. In result, the poor people get arrested by law enforcement personnel while rich people save themselves by paying bribes or hiring high-powered lawyers. Most of the profit goes to rich people and the poor suffer. Due to their poverty, the poor cannot escape this cycle from one generation to the next. That is why we see that in the ghettos people are perpetually incarcerated.

In this teaching Baba is referring to crude criminal acts as well as white-collar crime. In big business and on the corporate level, the schemes are much more sophisticated. Big banks cheat millions of people out of billions of dollars. Yet, those top bankers are almost never arrested or even charged. They escape because the laws are in their favour, or they hire lawyers to find loopholes in the law. And if they do get caught and are found guilty, then 99.9% of the time those high-level executives do not got to jail. Instead they pay a fine. But if a poor person steals even a single thing they will get arrested and sit in jail for robbery for twenty years.

This happens only in the vaeshyan era and we have to raise awareness to put an end to this.

Prout philosophy states, “Most of the evils that occur in society are created due to the exploitation carried out by the vaeshyas. In order to increase the size of their bank balances, the vaeshyas create an artificial scarcity of such items as food, clothing and other essential commodities, and then earn a profit by black marketeering. Those who do not have the capacity to purchase commodities at exorbitant prices steal, commit armed robberies and engage in other criminal activities in order to obtain the minimum requirements of their lives. Poor people deprived of food and clothing work as the agents of the greedy vaeshyas engaged in black marketeering and smuggling. When these poor people are caught, they are the ones who get punished, while the vaeshyas escape thanks to the power of their money. Such ill-fated poor people lose their consciences and descend deeper into sin. Society condemns these sinners, while the rich vaeshyas, the instigators of the sinners, play the role of public leaders. They wear garlands, set off verbal fireworks, and shrilly exhort the masses to make greater sacrifices.” (1)

Reference
1. Human Society - 2, The Vaeshya Age


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Not all samadhis are great

   Ananda Marga philosophy says, "By the way you should know that samádhi does not only occur as a result of a certain realization; other samádhis can occur on indriyas or the five fundamental factors. When the mind is focused on a particular object and becomes intensely concentrated it is called samádhi. According to spiritual science the samádhi attained when the entire mind is pin-pointed on Parama Puruśa is called prajiṋá samádhi."
   "When a sádhaka focuses his or her mind on the solid factor (solid is one of the five fundamental factors) and thinks “I am the earth” he or she attains kśitibhaetik samádhi, losing all practical intelligence in the process. Those who constantly think about rupees or dollars attain a kind of samádhi, too, for they become completely identified with their crude object of attraction. If such people incur heavy losses due to the collapse of their business or bank, they will die an instant death, for the pillars on which their life was built crumbled beneath them. So, once they lost their wealth, they lost their lives too." (1)

Story of my own cousin


Note: Tragically, my own cousin experienced this type of negative samadhi. During the economic downturn in 2009, he became very worried about his finances. He had an inheritance of 20 million dollars, and he thought he was going to lose it all. He experienced a very strange, deep, dark depression and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

Finally, his mind just stopped - and he sat there frozen - completely fixated on the prospect of losing all his money. He sat in a comatose state completely engrossed in thoughts about losing money - everything else in his mind vanished. It was just money, money, money. He skipped his food, ignored natural call, and sat in one spot all day long for almost 1 week. He did not die, but he came very close to death. When at last he emerged from this state, he was totally unaware about what had happened. It was as if he had been in a vacuum.

Baba's warning is that mundane things like money or wealth should never be one's object of ideation. Worldly things are by definition transient. They slip away. And when that happens, people become shocked, even negative samadhi. This becomes very serious for those who were very attached with those objects. They will fall into a state of terrible misery, and perhaps even death.

Best is to goad and point the mind to Parama Purusa. Because if one is fixated on the mundane and prone to that negative type of samadhi then one may remain depressed or even resort to suicide…

In Him,
Sudhiindra

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell, Ekendriya – 7


== Section: Important Teaching ==

How Muslims converted Hindus


  Prout philosophy states, “The second inviolable principle is that people should not be forcibly converted from one religion to another. People will not leave a religion if it is able to guide them properly on the path of Dharma. However, if a religion has a narrow outlook or contains some defective teachings, such as supporting the caste system or oppressing the poor, then people will naturally become disillusioned with it. The followers of other religions will take advantage of these defects and forcibly convert them.”
   “In the past there were many instances when large numbers of Hindus were forcibly converted to another religion. Hindus were fed onions or beef without their knowledge and women were abducted, compelling them to transgress their religious beliefs. As a result, they were excommunicated by the Hindu priests. They were declared outcastes. When those who had instigated the transgressions observed this development, they escalate their campaign of forcible conversion.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell-16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Definition of true surrender

   Ananda Marga ideology  says, “When human beings feel that, ‘Parama Purusa is my everything’, then that is called as sharan (shelter). No entity can come under the sharan (shelter) of two different things. Then what is the meaning of sharanagati (surrender)? When living beings give up their ‘I-feeling’ by withdrawing the mind from any other object and feel that Parama Purusa alone is my everything.”
   “Up to the time when living beings are thinking that they are working with their own strength, then you should understand that the feeling of sharanagati has not yet come in them. And when human beings think that, ‘I am doing the work only with His strength’, it means the feeling of sharanagati has come in their mind. So when living beings start thinking that, ‘Whatever work I am doing, I am doing with His strength’, then they have the feeling of sharanagati.” (1)

1. Sometimes people get confused and think that if the house is burning then there is no need to do anything - just raise your hands to the sky. They wrongly think that is surrender.

2. Some hypocrites do not have the feeling of surrender within, but when others need their help then they tell them there is no need do anything - just surrender. By this way they shirk their responsibility of helping others. For instance if Mr. X came to Mr. Y saying that,  “My child is sick so please help me.” But Mr. Y is a hypocrite and he does not want to help Mr. X. So Y suggests to X, “Don’t do anything - just surrender to God everything will be alright.” By this way Y escapes his moral duty and keeps his prestige safe through hypocrisy.

3. Some think that whatever strength you have you should use to solve the crisis, and go on thinking. “It is His strength and that He is supplying the energy - and without His energy, I cannot do anything. If He wishes then only will I be rescued - it is fully depending on Him.” Whatever strength God has given must be utilised remembering that He is the final doer.

Of the three above examples, the third one is the best. And the other two are bogus.

References
1. General Darshan, Patna DMC, 1970


== Section ==

हे परम पुरुष! मैं तुम से दूर नहीं रह सकता।

प्रभात संगीत
3780: की दोष कोरेछी बोलो ना, केनो आमार घरे एले ना...

भावार्थ

हे परम पुरुष! तुम मेरे घर क्यों नहीं आए ? मेरी क्या गलती है? तुम तो सब कुछ जानते हो, फिर यह क्यों नहीं जान पाते कि मैं तुम्हें अपने पूरे हृदय और मन से कितना प्रेम करता हॅूं?

हे मेरे प्रभु! तुम्हारे न आने से, इस प्रभात संगीत का लय तान और स्वर व्यर्थ ही रहा, तम्हारे लिये बनाई गयी फूलों की यह माला भी किसी काम की नहीं रही। तुम्हारे न आने से अब इस माला के बनाने और इस गीत की तैयारी करने का कोई अर्थ ही नहीं रहा। हे परमपुरुष! तुम्हारे बारे में सोच सोच कर कभी तो मैं रोता हॅूं और कभी मुस्काता हॅूं, कभी मैं तुम्हारी रूपरेखा बनाता हूँ और कभी उसे पोंछ डालता हॅूं, यह सब मेरे मन में ही चलता रहता है।

हे बाबा! जब मैं अपने मन मंदिर में तुम्हारे ध्यान में बैठता हॅूं, तो तुम वहाॅं पूरे आकर्षण में बैठे मुस्कुराते रहते हो। तुमने मुझे अपने दिव्य आध्यात्मिक रंग में रंग लिया है। तुम्हारे गीत और नृत्य में मैंने अपने को डुबो लिया है। मेरा हृदय तुम से दूर रहना ही नहीं चाहता। मैं तुम्हारे निकट, बहुत ही पास में रहना चाहता हॅूं , मैं तुम से दूर नहीं रह सकता हॅूं।

बाबा! मैं तुम्हें  प्रेम करता हॅूं , कृपा कर मेरे घर में आओ, आजाओ...


Note: If you would like the audio file of the above Prabhat Samgiita kindly write us.


== Section 4: Links ==


SUBJECTS TOPICS