Baba
Spiritual pranayama
Namaskar,
To
assimilate any thought in the mind, the first requisite factor is that
the breath should be calm. For example, when anyone is running fast,
they cannot think deeply or even answer simple questions because their
breathing is very fast, in which case the mind is not concentrated. The
formula is that when the breathing is fast, the mind is restless -- in
which case the assimilation of any idea is impossible. That is why one
should always approach any psychic or psycho-spiritual endeavour with a
calm mind.
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Special quality of pranayama
In
our sadhana, one of the lessons is pranayama. The function of pranayama
is to harness the mind by regulating the inhalation and exhalation of
the breath, i.e. by slowing down the breath. That is, we are using the
physical process of breathing to control the mental body. In contrast,
in other lessons the approach is different. The approach is to harness
the mind first and, in due course, the breathing becomes calm. Hence, we
are using the mental body to control the physical body. For example, in
first lesson, when one uses the mantra, naturally the mind gets
concentrated and, as a result, the breathing becomes slower and slower. A
similar process occurs in dhyana also.
Review:
In pranayama, first the breathing is controlled, then naturally the
mind becomes concentrated. Whereas, in other lessons, first the mind
gets controlled and, in turn, the breathing gets slower and slower. In
either case, with that concentrated mind, if anyone thinks something
negative then its effect is disastrous. Just like how avidya tantrikas
harm others using their mental force. Whereas if a true sadhaka uses
their concentrated mind to think of something positive, i.e. ideation on
Brahma, that is very beneficial.
The
universal science is: "As you think so shall you become". So, in human
life, the ideas one cultivates are highly significant. If one’s thoughts
are goaded towards the Supreme, one will become great. And if one is
involved in debased thoughts, they will degenerate.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Sadharana pranayama vs sahaja pranayama
In
sadharana yoga pranayama-- the fourth lesson of AM sadhana-- the
breathing is regulated: Breathing is done slowly without holding the
breath at all; just one releases the breath naturally. And that is very
beneficial for concentrating the mind because regulating the breathing
helps to control the mind.
But
in sahaja yoga pranayama-- i.e. the vishesh yoga pranayama or 7th
lesson-- there are three steps: (a) breathing in, (b) holding or
retaining the breath, (c) breathing out. In this vishesh yoga
pranayama-- or kumbhak pranayama-- by holding the breath for even a
short duration the mind gets controlled. So this style of pranayama is
highly beneficial for those who have maintained a proper ideation. But
without proper ideation, it is very harmful. Therefore, it is very
important that nobody should experiment with pranayama without getting
proper guidance from a qualified acarya.
Pranayama helps dhyana
In
so many discourses, Baba guides us that in human life one should do
sadhana and reach the Goal-- Parama Purus'a. To do this, Baba has taught
us the lesson of dhyana. And He is always giving great importance and
emphasis to do maximum dhyana. But proper dhyana is only possible when
the sadhaka is fully established in pranayama. Otherwise, while doing
dhyana, the mind is not fully concentrated so it runs hither and
thither. In result, people just waste their time while sitting in
dhyana asana. Whereas, those established in pranayama can do better
dhyana and reach a much more subtle state in their practice, by His
grace.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Pranayama: caution
The
common rule is that everything in this created universe has both a
positive and negative effect. For example, an airplane can fly very
fast, but if there is an accident there are rarely any survivors.
Similar is the case with pranayama. The plus point is that if one does
proper pranayama they can make great gains in sadhana. However, by doing
negative pranayama, some may lose their mental balance entirely and
become terribly harmed. And sometimes people are so selfish they just
think of their own greatness when doing pranayama so they become
arrogant and egotistical. And, not only that, by doing negative
pranayama, avidya tantrikas harm others and invite their own negative
samskara, and ultimately become degenerated. So awareness of the science
of pranayama is highly essential for each and every sadhaka because of
its extraordinary merits and demerits.
Conclusion
Spirituality
is the summum bonum of human life. That is the main aim so sadhana is
essential. And pranayam is an integral practice as it harnesses the mind
and enables one to delve more deeply and more fully in dhyana. So
maximum effort should be made in pranayama as it will help make their
life successful.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga ideology guides us:
"We must remember that actual progress can be made only in the
spiritual stratum. There cannot be any progress in the physical stratum,
or the physico-psychic stratum, or even in the psychic stratum..."
"Always remember, human life is very meaningful, and human beings can
make it more meaningful through their own efforts. You have got human
life. By dint of your actions and your sa'dhana' you will increase the
value of your human life. Why should you live like ordinary humans?
Become extraordinary! Extraordinary people ultimately raise themselves
to divinity. That is, humans become devata's [gods], and devata's become
Parama Brahma."
"As you have got a human body, utilize it at every moment." (1)
In Him,
Amriteshwar
Warning: fake meditation
Nowadays,
it has become the fashion to do meditation. But most of these bogus
meditation techniques taught by fake yoga teachers are utterly devoid of
cosmic ideation. That is why they invite their degeneration of mind.
Because when they focus the mind they are submerged in crude thoughts.
They may be thinking about money, food, the opposite sex, gambling, or
some other mundane allurement. So those who are doing fake meditation
will suffer the ill effects as they will become even more crude.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The
universal science is: "As you think so shall you become". So, in human
life, the ideas one cultivates are highly significant. If one’s thoughts
are goaded towards the Supreme, one will become great. And if one is
involved in debased thoughts, they will degenerate.
References
1. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 24, Incantation and Human Progress
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