PHENOMENA OF YOGI PSYCHIC BREATHING.
With the exception of the instructions in the Yogi Rhythmic Breathing,
the majority of the exercises heretofore given in this book relate to
the physical plane of effort, which, while highly important in itself,
is also regarded by the Yogis as in the nature of affording a
substantial basis for efforts on the psychic and spiritual plane. Do
not, however, discard or think lightly of the physical phase of the
subject, for remember that it needs a sound body to support a sound
mind, and also that the body is the temple of the Ego, the lamp in
which burns the light of the Spirit. Everything is good in its place,
and everything has its place. The developed man is the "all-around
man," who recognizes body, mind and spirit and renders to each its
due. Neglect of either is a mistake which must be rectified sooner or
later; a debt which must be repaid with interest.
We will now take up the Psychic phase of the Yogi Science of Breath in
the shape of a series of exercises, each exercise carrying with it its
explanation.
You will notice that in each exercise rhythmic breathing is
accompanied with the instructions to "carry the thought" of certain
desired results. This mental attitude gives the Will a cleared track
upon which to exercise its force. We cannot, in this work, go into the
subject of the power of the Will, and must assume that you have some
knowledge of the subject. If you have no acquaintance with the
subject, you will find that the actual practice of the exercises
themselves will give you a much clearer knowledge than any amount of
theoretical teaching, for as the old Hindu proverb says, "He who
tastes a grain of mustard seed knows more of its flavor than he who
sees an elephant load of it."
(1) GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR YOGI PSYCHIC BREATHING.
The basis of all Yogi Psychic Breathing is the Yogi Rhythmic Breath,
instruction regarding which we gave in our last chapter. In the
following exercises, in order to avoid useless repetition, we will say
merely, "Breathe Rhythmically," and then give the instruction for the
exercise of the psychic force, or directed Will power working in
connection with the rhythmic breath vibrations. After a little
practice you will find that you will not need to count after the first
rhythmic breath, as the mind will grasp the idea of time and rhythm
and you will be able to breathe rhythmically at pleasure, almost
automatically. This will leave the mind clear for the sending of the
psychic vibrations under the direction of the Will. (See the following
first exercise for directions in using the Will.)
(2) PRANA DISTRIBUTING.
Lying flat on the floor or bed, completely relaxed, with hands resting
lightly over the Solar Plexus (over the pit of the stomach, where the
ribs begin to separate), breathe rhythmically. After the rhythm is
fully established _will_ that each inhalation will draw in an
increased supply of prana or vital energy from the Universal supply,
which will be taken up by the nervous system and stored in the Solar
Plexus. At each exhalation will that the prana or vital energy is
being distributed all over the body, to every organ and part; to every
muscle, cell and atom; to nerve, artery and vein; from the top of your
head to the soles of your feet; invigorating, strengthening and
stimulating every nerve; recharging every nerve center; sending
energy, force and strength all over the system. While exercising the
will, try to form a mental picture of the inrushing prana, coming in
through the lungs and being taken up at once by the Solar Plexus, then
with the exhaling effort, being sent to all parts of the system, down
to the finger tips and down to the toes. It is not necessary to use
the Will with an effort. Simply commanding that which you wish to
produce and then making the mental picture of it is all that is
necessary. Calm command with the mental picture is far better than
forcible willing, which only dissipates force needlessly. The above
exercise is most helpful and greatly refreshes and strengthens the
nervous system and produces a restful feeling all over the body. It is
especially beneficial In cases where one is tired or feels a lack of
energy.
(3) INHIBITING PAIN.
Lying down or sitting erect, breath rhythmically, holding the thought
that you are inhaling prana. Then when you exhale, send the prana to
the painful part to re-establish the circulation and nerve current.
Then inhale more prana for the purpose of driving out the painful
condition; then exhale, holding the thought that you are driving out
the pain. Alternate the two above mental commands, and with one
exhalation stimulate the part and with the next drive out the pain.
Keep this up for seven breaths, then practice the Cleansing Breath and
rest a while. Then try it again until relief comes, which will be
before long. Many pains will be found to be relieved before the seven
breaths are finished. If the hand is placed over the painful part, you
may get quicker results. Send the current of prana down the arm and
into the painful part.
(4) DIRECTING THE CIRCULATION.
Lying down or sitting erect, breathe rhythmically, and with the
exhalations direct the circulation to any part you wish, which may be
suffering from imperfect circulation. This is effective in cases of
cold feet or in cases of headache, the blood being sent downward in
both cases, in the first case warming the feet, and in the latter,
relieving the brain from too great pressure. In the case of headache,
try the Pain Inhibiting first, then follow with sending the blood
downward. You will often feel a warm feeling in the legs as the
circulation moves downward. The circulation is largely under the
control of the will and rhythmic breathing renders the task easier.
(5) SELF-HEALING.
Lying in a relaxed condition, breathe rhythmically, and command that a
good supply of prana be inhaled. With the exhalation, send the prana
to the affected part for the purpose of stimulating it. Vary this
occasionally by exhaling, with the mental command that the diseased
condition be forced out and disappear. Use the hands in this exercise,
passing them down the body from the head to the affected part. In
using the hands in healing yourself or others always hold the mental
image that the prana is flowing down the arm and through the finger
tips into the body, thus reaching the affected part and healing it. Of
course we can give only general directions in this book without taking
up the several forms of disease in detail, but a little practice of
the above exercise, varying it slightly to fit the conditions of the
case, will produce wonderful results. Some Yogis follow the plan of
placing both hands on the affected part, and then breathing
rhythmically, holding the mental image that they are fairly pumping
prana into the diseased organ and part, stimulating it and driving out
diseased conditions, as pumping into a pail of dirty water will drive
out the latter and fill the bucket with fresh water. This last plan is
very effective if the mental image of the pump is clearly held, the
inhalation representing the lifting of the pump handle and the
exhalation the actual pumping.
(6) HEALING OTHERS.
We cannot take up the question of the psychic treatment of disease by
prana in detail in this book, as such would be foreign to its purpose.
But we can and will give you simple, plain instructions whereby you
may be enabled to do much good in relieving others. The main principle
to remember is that by rhythmic breathing and controlled thought you
are enabled to absorb a considerable amount of prana, and are also
able to pass it into the body of another person, stimulating weakened
parts and organs and imparting health and driving out diseased
conditions. You must first learn to form such a clear mental image of
the desired condition that you will be able to actually feel the
influx of prana, and the force running down your arms and out of your
finger tips into the body of the patient. Breathe rhythmically a few
times until the rhythm is fairly established, then place your bands
upon the affected part of the body of the patient, letting them rest
lightly over the part. Then follow the "pumping" process described to
the preceding exercise (Self-Healing) and fill the patient full of
prana until the diseased condition is driven out. Every once in a
while raise the hands and "flick" the fingers as if you were throwing
off the diseased condition. It is well to do this occasionally and
also to wash the hands after treatment, as otherwise you may take on a
trace of the diseased condition of the patient. Also practice the
Cleansing Breath several times after the treatment. During the
treatment let the prana pour into the patient in one continuous
stream, allowing yourself to be merely the pumping machinery
connecting the patient with the universal supply of prana, and
allowing it to flow freely through you. You need not work the hands
vigorously, but simply enough that the prana freely reaches the
affected parts. The rhythmic breathing must be practiced frequently
during the treatment, so as to keep the rhythm normal and to afford
the prana a free passage. It is better to place the hands on the bare
skin, but where this is not advisable or possible place them over the
clothing. Vary above method occasionally during the treatment by
stroking the body gently and softly with the finger tips, the fingers
being kept slightly separated. This is very soothing to the patient.
In cases of long standing you may find it helpful to give the mental
command in words, such as "get out, get out," or "be strong, be
strong," as the case may be, the words helping you to exercise the
will more forcibly and to the point. Vary these instructions to suit
the needs of the case, and use your own judgment and inventive
faculty. We have given you the general principles and you can apply
them in hundreds of different ways. The above apparently simple
instruction, if carefully studied and applied, will enable one to
accomplish all that the leading "magnetic healers" are able to,
although their "systems" are more or less cumbersome and complicated.
They are using prana ignorantly and calling it "magnetism." If they
would combine rhythmic breathing with their "magnetic" treatment they
would double their efficiency.
(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.