(1) Stand erect. (2) Inhale a complete breath and retain. (3) Bend
forward slightly and grasp a stick or cane steadily and firmly, and
gradually exerting your entire strength upon the grasp. (4) Relax the
grasp, return to first position, and slowly exhale. (5) Repeat several
times. (6) Finish with the cleansing breath. (N. B.--_The above are
from the Yoga Teachings_.)
MEDITATION EXERCISE No. I.
Retire into the silence. Say: I AM FEARLESS. Concentrate calmly on that
idea. Think it out in all its bearings. See yourself in your mind's eye
as possessing the desired quality and acting it out in actual life. Let
your mind indulge in a good, strongly-dramatized day-dream. Only insist
upon its sticking to the particular text of thought and always showing
you successful at the end. Finish up with a vigorous affirmation of the
"I am." Practise at the same hour daily for 6 months at least.
Exercise No. II.
Retire into the silence. Concentrate earnestly thus: _I send out
strong, positive, healing thought-waves of love to all mankind. Let the
disease-ridden become healthy. Let the weak become strong. Let the
needy ones become prosperous and happy. Let the fearful ones become
filled with courage. Let the cruel become kind and merciful. Let the
hateful and hating ones become loving. Let the impure ones become
pure. Let the bereaved, deserted, sorrow-stricken ones become soothed
and comforted_.
Picture to yourself strong waves of Thought-Force passing out of
you and encircling the whole world. Picture the world as peopled with
men and women manifesting the desired conditions.
The more friends sit together in union of will and soul concentrating
as above-indicated the better. Practise alone if you can find no earnest
and serious-minded ones to join you.
Believe in your power to so help humanity. The power of thought
is unlimited. In blessing others bless yourself. The effect of this
exercise will be far-reaching. It shall follow and be a blessing to you
even after death. Practise regularly at the same place and time as far as
possible.
Be earnest in your work.
Do not talk of your exercises to others.
The above exercises will wonderfully develop and strengthen anyone who
tries them. The deep breathing exercise already given is known as
Pranayama or Controlling the Psychic Breath. Its main purpose is to
give you control over your Prana and unfold the Psychic Force latent in
you. Practised on an impure body and weak lungs it may do harm. Hence
students are advised to undergo the above 10 breathing exercises first
and then, when their lungs have developed the power of endurance, they
should take that up. It will take time, patience, and serious work.
But if the student is sufficiently energetic he will perfect all these
exercises in six months. But follow nature's plan and be slow and steady.