Find a quiet place as far as possible, where the air is pure and the
surroundings soothing and pleasant. After a bath or a thorough rubbing
of the body from top to toe, with a wet towel, on an empty stomach,
take this exercise: Send a current of holy thought to everyone, on
planes seen and unseen, north and south, east and west, engage in
meditation--take anyone of the meditation exercises you like. When you
are perfectly calm and relaxed, seat yourself cross-legged, assuming any
posture that comes easiest to you, with head, neck and chest held in a
straight line and the weight of the upper parts of the body resting on
ribs. Keep the region about the waist quite free. Loosen the cloth there
out and out. Now inhale air slowly and steadily through right nostril
after closing left nostril with your finger as long as it takes to count
sixteen mentally. Close both nostrils, holding the inspired air within
and count sixty-four. Then very slowly exhale the air through the left
nostril for as long as it takes to count thirty-two. You must begin with
a 4 second inhalation, 16 second retention and 8 second exhalation.
Instead of dry counting you might improve yourself decidedly by repeating
the word "Fearless" as many times holding mentally that dominant idea
back of the word. Practise 5 pranayamas mornings and evenings for one
week daily. Increase to 10 next week. Work up to 20. Go slowly. Practise
as long as you like, but not less than 6 months. Be serious and earnest.
This is not for non-serious minds. This exercise will augment digestive
power, steady heart-action, make the body light and the mind calm. It
shall help also miraculously in your Soul-Unfoldment. During this
practice be pure in all ways. Observe Bramhacharya. Practice mental
concentration and spiritual meditation. Don't talk much with others.
Don't encourage any but holy society. Don't sleep much. Don't work very
hard. Keep your emotions well-in-hand. Be always engaged mentally
and physically. Be hopeful and cheerful. Never encourage negative
thinking. It shall do wonders for you.