Direct Preparation for Exercises Exercises

When you have finally arranged a suitable time and place for your first exercises, making When you have finally arranged a suitable time and place for your first exercises, making sure no one will disturb you, retire to the chosen spot.

sure no one will disturb you, retire to the chosen spot.

Sit on a chair or stool that is

Sit on a chair or stool that is not upholstered not upholstered . Do not lean back against the furniture. This is. Do not lean back against the furniture. This is important for your health, as well as for the proper flow of the subtle currents of the vital important for your health, as well as for the proper flow of the subtle currents of the vital energy or “prana” in Indian terminology.

energy or “prana” in Indian terminology.

When the time comes for meditation, the body must be comfortably seated in a position When the time comes for meditation, the body must be comfortably seated in a position which it can endure for hours if necessary. On the other hand, the body should not be which it can endure for hours if necessary. On the other hand, the body should not be allowed to assume a lazy posture, for then it acquires the bad habit of sleeping through allowed to assume a lazy posture, for then it acquires the bad habit of sleeping through exercises, depriving them of all value.

exercises, depriving them of all value. This should be well remembered.This should be well remembered.

Do not give much thought to the numerous and cumbersome asanas recommended in the Do not give much thought to the numerous and cumbersome asanas recommended in the old and new books on Yoga, written by unqualified exponents. They are entirely old and new books on Yoga, written by unqualified exponents. They are entirely unnecessary providing you know and practice a good one, like that described in the next unnecessary providing you know and practice a good one, like that described in the next paragraph. It is largely curiosity and the spirit of expectation which dictate such paragraph. It is largely curiosity and the spirit of expectation which dictate such instructions and at tempts to practice them by incompetent followers.

instructions and at tempts to practice them by incompetent followers.

Sit upright on your chair or stool (the latter is better), with the spine, neck and head in a Sit upright on your chair or stool (the latter is better), with the spine, neck and head in a straight line. If you are a Westerner, such furniture is probably more appropriate for you.

straight line. If you are a Westerner, such furniture is probably more appropriate for you.

But for Easterners, the same asana can be performed seated on the floor, with legs crossed, But for Easterners, the same asana can be performed seated on the floor, with legs crossed, as is still done in the Orient. There is no doubt that the lotus position is an excellent one.

as is still done in the Orient. There is no doubt that the lotus position is an excellent one.

But whichever you adopt, remember about the one direct line passing through your body.

If you sit on a chair or stool, the legs should be placed perpendicular to the floor with the If you sit on a chair or stool, the legs should be placed perpendicular to the floor with the knees together and the hands palm downward on them.

knees together and the hands palm downward on them. The whole weight of the bodyThe whole weight of the body isis suspended from the ribs and every part of it should be completely relaxed. Simple as it suspended from the ribs and every part of it should be completely relaxed. Simple as it sounds, the position must be carefully adopted exactly as given here, and with practice you sounds, the position must be carefully adopted exactly as given here, and with practice you will soon get the correct feel of it. Whether you are seated on furniture or the floor, the legs will soon get the correct feel of it. Whether you are seated on furniture or the floor, the legs should be quite comfortable. When properly assumed, the whole position will allow you to should be quite comfortable. When properly assumed, the whole position will allow you to sit for hours without any pain or tenseness, so that you will be unaware of the body. This is sit for hours without any pain or tenseness, so that you will be unaware of the body. This is all that is required for our practical study, just the natural asana, without any cumbersome all that is required for our practical study, just the natural asana, without any cumbersome and unnatural positions. It is quite useless to expect miracles or special advantages from and unnatural positions. It is quite useless to expect miracles or special advantages from artificial postures, for such rewards exist only in the imaginations of blind followers. The artificial postures, for such rewards exist only in the imaginations of blind followers. The great Rishi Ramana never recommended things of this nature, and he himself often used great Rishi Ramana never recommended things of this nature, and he himself often used chairs in addition to his usual erect way of sitting, which had nothing in common with chairs in addition to his usual erect way of sitting, which had nothing in common with yogic asanas, and he stood as an uncontested authority for all the best yogis in India.

yogic asanas, and he stood as an uncontested authority for all the best yogis in India.

Another leading philosopher of India, who could perhaps be placed next after the Maharshi, Another leading philosopher of India, who could perhaps be placed next after the Maharshi, the late great Sri Aurobindo Ghose (who died about six years ago), also never attached any the late great Sri Aurobindo Ghose (who died about six years ago), also never attached any great importance to the ancient “classical” yogic practices with their innumerable difficult great importance to the ancient “classical” yogic practices with their innumerable difficult postures, retention of breath, concentration on definite nerve centers and organs, etc. In his postures, retention of breath, concentration on definite nerve centers and organs, etc. In his excellent writings, he tried to raise the inner level of consciousness in his disciples and excellent writings, he tried to raise the inner level of consciousness in his disciples and followers, knowing that this is the only solution to the drama of human existence in matter.

followers, knowing that this is the only solution to the drama of human existence in matter.

His teachings are rather different from those of Sri Maharshi and other saints and sages, but His teachings are rather different from those of Sri Maharshi and other saints and sages, but he was a man perfectly capable of clear and independent thinking, and he could not support he was a man perfectly capable of clear and independent thinking, and he could not support things which have long since become obsolete and nonsensical in this modern age.

things which have long since become obsolete and nonsensical in this modern age.

Another spiritual authority of the past—Sri Ramakrishna, a fine example of a great saint, Another spiritual authority of the past—Sri Ramakrishna, a fine example of a great saint, like St. Jean de Vianney of France or St. Seraphim of Sarov, likewise never occupied him like St. Jean de Vianney of France or St. Seraphim of Sarov, likewise never occupied him self with unwieldy bodily exercises or occult training. He concentrated on love, the highest self with unwieldy bodily exercises or occult training. He concentrated on love, the highest non-egoistical form, which in its final development makes a man a sage, i.e., a perfect non-egoistical form, which in its final development makes a man a sage, i.e., a perfect being, like those other great ones who have already trodden the path of wisdom (the Direct being, like those other great ones who have already trodden the path of wisdom (the Direct Path). All of them were filled with the same sublime love, when they attained the

Path). All of them were filled with the same sublime love, when they attained the uniqueunique aim

aim or enlightenment of all human beings.or enlightenment of all human beings.

So it is with the most advanced of men. When you need in formation about, say, military So it is with the most advanced of men. When you need in formation about, say, military affairs, you would certainly prefer to discuss it with a general rather than a corporal. I think affairs, you would certainly prefer to discuss it with a general rather than a corporal. I think you must catch my meaning!

you must catch my meaning!

It is only sectarian ignorance which prescribes what is non essential and unnatural, coupled It is only sectarian ignorance which prescribes what is non essential and unnatural, coupled with vanity and curiosity on the part of followers; but never a reasonable and quietly with vanity and curiosity on the part of followers; but never a reasonable and quietly progressive determination to reach a definite, rather than a mirage like, aim.

progressive determination to reach a definite, rather than a mirage like, aim.

It is true that for some purely occult exercises, calculated to yield certain limited It is true that for some purely occult exercises, calculated to yield certain limited phenomenal results, having little connection with an earnest fruitful study, some special phenomenal results, having little connection with an earnest fruitful study, some special positions and breathing may be helpful. If you reach the final target of this course, your positions and breathing may be helpful. If you reach the final target of this course, your newly won powers will raise you much higher than all the occult tricks. And you will be newly won powers will raise you much higher than all the occult tricks. And you will be much stronger and wiser than all the superstitious occultists and fakirs.

much stronger and wiser than all the superstitious occultists and fakirs.

Breathing should be natural and easy. The best thing is not to think about it when beginning Breathing should be natural and easy. The best thing is not to think about it when beginning your exercises. If you find that your breathing becomes irregular and strained, and that this your exercises. If you find that your breathing becomes irregular and strained, and that this affects your mental effort, then you may find considerable use for a basic pranayama in its affects your mental effort, then you may find considerable use for a basic pranayama in its dharanic form. By this exercise you may discover and learn to know your own natural dharanic form. By this exercise you may discover and learn to know your own natural rhythm of breathing, which will then become your faithful servant in many circumstances.

rhythm of breathing, which will then become your faithful servant in many circumstances.

So now sit on your chair (or on the floor if you are accustomed to the lotus position) and So now sit on your chair (or on the floor if you are accustomed to the lotus position) and rest your hands easily on your knees. The weight of your torso should hang from your ribs.

rest your hands easily on your knees. The weight of your torso should hang from your ribs.

You will discover this is the case after a few exercises. Then hold your left wrist with the You will discover this is the case after a few exercises. Then hold your left wrist with the fingers of the right hand, so that you can clearly feel your pulse. Now count the beats—one, fingers of the right hand, so that you can clearly feel your pulse. Now count the beats—one, two, three, four. At the same time slowly inhale air through your nostrils. After reaching two, three, four. At the same time slowly inhale air through your nostrils. After reaching four, stop inhaling, the chest being full of air. The inhalation should be performed so that four, stop inhaling, the chest being full of air. The inhalation should be performed so that the first two counts fill the lower part of your lungs with air, sending the diaphragm the first two counts fill the lower part of your lungs with air, sending the diaphragm downward. For the next two counts transfer air from the lower chest into the upper

downward. For the next two counts transfer air from the lower chest into the upper whilewhile still inhaling additional air

still inhaling additional air through the nostrils.through the nostrils.

For the next four beats of the pulse neither inhale nor exhale, but only retain the air in the For the next four beats of the pulse neither inhale nor exhale, but only retain the air in the upper part of the lungs. When the next count recurs, for one and two transfer the air back upper part of the lungs. When the next count recurs, for one and two transfer the air back into the lower part of your lungs, and for three and four expel it through the nostrils. Now into the lower part of your lungs, and for three and four expel it through the nostrils. Now again count one to four with the lungs empty and then begin the next cycle on the inhale.

again count one to four with the lungs empty and then begin the next cycle on the inhale.

With a little practice you will appreciate the usefulness and stimulating qualities of this With a little practice you will appreciate the usefulness and stimulating qualities of this form of breathing, called “pranayama,” or if you prefer, rhythmical natural breathing.

form of breathing, called “pranayama,” or if you prefer, rhythmical natural breathing.

This can be simplified if you wish. Inhale for the count of 1—2—3—4, then hold the breathing should be so developed that it easily catches the rhythm of your pulse, even when breathing should be so developed that it easily catches the rhythm of your pulse, even when you do not touch the arteries of your wrist. The sensation of the pulse beats—which are the you do not touch the arteries of your wrist. The sensation of the pulse beats—which are the same as the heart’s—will come much more readily than you might suppose. But do not try same as the heart’s—will come much more readily than you might suppose. But do not try to accelerate this feeling. Just

to accelerate this feeling. Just do the exercisedo the exerciseand let your routine do the work for you.and let your routine do the work for you.

The counting is by no means restricted to the described four- phase cycle. You may even The counting is by no means restricted to the described four- phase cycle. You may even use 3, 5, 6 or even 8 if your breathing responds better to one of these than to the count of use 3, 5, 6 or even 8 if your breathing responds better to one of these than to the count of four. Instead of 1—2—3—4, etc., our Eastern friends may prefer to use the sacred syllable four. Instead of 1—2—3—4, etc., our Eastern friends may prefer to use the sacred syllable

“Om.” You may also do the same if you wish. Then in the place of 1—2—3—4, you

“Om.” You may also do the same if you wish. Then in the place of 1—2—3—4, you mentally pronounce “Om, Om, Om, Om.” This easy form of the classic pranayama is also mentally pronounce “Om, Om, Om, Om.” This easy form of the classic pranayama is also excellent for the purpose of stilling the nerves before exercises.

excellent for the purpose of stilling the nerves before exercises.

Nothing more complicated is needed, except for those who do not firmly intend to reap the Nothing more complicated is needed, except for those who do not firmly intend to reap the fruit of a successful study of concentration and who are merely curious about it. They will fruit of a successful study of concentration and who are merely curious about it. They will also reach something, but its name will be very different. We may call it frustration or also reach something, but its name will be very different. We may call it frustration or disappointment.

disappointment.

Pranayama can be strengthened, if the student feels a need for it, by the use of colors. I will Pranayama can be strengthened, if the student feels a need for it, by the use of colors. I will not attempt to explain here their significance or theory, limiting myself to their practical not attempt to explain here their significance or theory, limiting myself to their practical application. They are well known and have been thoroughly discussed in many occult application. They are well known and have been thoroughly discussed in many occult books.

books.

Colors, when pictured mentally, have a subtle stimulating influence on our astro-mental Colors, when pictured mentally, have a subtle stimulating influence on our astro-mental perceptions:

perceptions:

1. Rose-red Rose-red : uplifts the energy, stimulates wakefulness, dispels sleepiness and congestions: uplifts the energy, stimulates wakefulness, dispels sleepiness and congestions of the subtle bodies. May be used as given below for all

of the subtle bodies. May be used as given below for all activeactive parts of exercises from 1 toparts of exercises from 1 to 7. The dark shade should never be used.

7. The dark shade should never be used.

2.Orange:Orange: stimulates and purifies. Use the same as rose-red.stimulates and purifies. Use the same as rose-red.

3. Green:Green: helps relaxation, eases tension, creates subtle rhythm in the mind and diminisheshelps relaxation, eases tension, creates subtle rhythm in the mind and diminishes feverish curiosity and anxiety in both feelings and thinking. Used in all passive parts of feverish curiosity and anxiety in both feelings and thinking. Used in all passive parts of exercises, except those of Nos. 8 and 9.

exercises, except those of Nos. 8 and 9.

4. Blue: Blue: similar to green, but less preferable for use with pranayama. Nevertheless if, fromsimilar to green, but less preferable for use with pranayama. Nevertheless if, from

In document Mouni Sadhu - Concentration (Page 51-57)