Part 2
The body and, hence, the mind are continually undergoing changes of state due to various factors such as climate, environment, and habits, and those influences are beyond the realm of man’s control. The consequence of this continual and varied state of affairs in the body brings about a like mental state. There will be times when the mind becomes restless; when it will be unhappy and depressed; when it cannot be made quiet and attentive. It may also give rise to various chains of thoughts that are totally foreign to the natural temperament of the individual—thoughts that make the individual question his sanity and lack of power in any direction. If evil thoughts enter the mind, one should not use will power to drive them away. By so doing one will only lose energy and defeat his purpose. The greater effort one makes, the more evil thoughts will return with redoubled force. One should not try to fulfill them. The student should reject them as soon as they arise, and by gradual practice such desires will not arise. One must be indifferent and quiet, and they will soon pass away.
At such times, no pranayama should be practiced. It is best to occupy one’s self with some sort of physical activity, such as walking, singing, moving about, or any sort of action that will divert the mind. Make no effort to practice until a different state has arisen: cheerfulness is positively necessary for doing good work. No anxiety should arise from these negative states, which are quite natural as a result of modern lifestyles and the cycles and times to which one is subject. The condition will pass away of itself if no special attention is given to it, and soon the mind will return to normal functioning. At this point, pranayama may be started again. Pranayama should not be practiced until one becomes tired or weary. It is important that a student maintain a state of freshness in both body and mind.
The preparation of the body may begin at any time of the year, but the practice of pranayama should begin in the fall—September, October, or November—or in the spring—February, March or April. Certain diseases are prone to arise in the body when beginning in the winter or in extremities of cold or heat. In spring and autumn the air is pure and one is not nearly so likely to derange his vital forces.
Changes in the air greatly affect the motions and functions of the human body. Therefore, the faculties of the mind also are affected, affecting the moral as well as the physical well-being of man. When the sky is serene and clear, and the weather temperate with east, northeast, or southeast winds, the body is vigorous, active and strong, and the spirits brisk and lively. When the weather is cloudy, foggy, or rainy, with moist western winds, the body is languid and heavy, the wits dull, the spirits are cast down, and the appetite fails. Dry, pure, serene, cool weather renders the body more active and nimble, because it strengthens the muscle fibers, making for better motion of the body fluids. If the body is kept warm, it adds health and strength and vigor to the solids. A moist cold air is more prejudicial to one’s health than dry air, for it makes the motion of the body fluids slow and heavy, clogs the pores, releases the tone of the muscle fibers, and slows the flow of blood. A moist condition of the air maintaining for a long time creates morbidity, as is also present in places surrounded by lakes or marshes. Intense cold stagnates and obstructs the fine vessels of the head, lungs, and joints.
The purification of the nadis (channels) is the first step in pranayama. The cleansing of the nadis by pranayama may be accomplished in three months; in some cases much earlier. All practice should be done at a time when one is neither hungry, nor when the stomach is loaded with food, or when one is tired. During the first stages, one should practice breath retention regularly, thereby gaining great control over the breath. Without purified nadis, there can be no accomplishment in pranayama, so the first aim should be to cleanse the body completely, a sound, healthy body is the foundation of a sound mind. Without moderation in diet, one can incur various diseases and obtain no success in this direction.
The accomplishment of yoga is said to be defeated by these six causes: 1) overeating, 2) overexertion, 3) adhering to rules which may shock the body and dissipate one’s energies (such as insisting on a cold bath in the morning), 4) eating at night or eating only fruit, 5) the company of people, and 6) irregularity, or unsteadiness.
Too much exertion brings distraction. Immoderate sleep induces sluggishness, dulls the mind, obstructs the memory and perturbs the animal and spiritual powers of man, instigating and leading man to depravity. Sleep in the daytime causes an imbalance in the three doshas (the functioning energies of the body), and should be avoided.
The student should rise in the morning at the peep of dawn, or about four o’clock. Rising early in the morning will not be at all difficult after some effort. It will become as natural as rising at nine. After cleansing his teeth and answering the call of nature, he should retire to his practice chamber, where he is to begin his practices by doing asanas. Shavasana (the corpse pose) may be done at such times as one becomes fatigued; otherwise it should not be resorted to.
When practicing pranayama, one should sit in the same place at the same time each day and not scratch or rub the body. It is important to keep the eyes closed and not to stir in one’s seat, with body and head always erect. When one feels uneasy, depressed or dejected, do not practice pranayama. This is very necessary if one wants maximum benefits. One should be regular in one’s practices. Those who practice by fits and starts will derive little benefit. One should set a course of three months’ practice at least, so that he may establish himself in pranayama and make the mind and body crave to continue in the practices. Very good control can be had in three months.
It is said that he who has a knowledge of breath has fortune at his feet, for the breath determines the pressure behind all activities. It is one of the two causes of the activity of the mind, the other being desire. Through the regulation of breath, the karma acquired in this life, as well as that acquired in the past, may be burnt up. Just as a fire consumes a heap of timbers it is said that pranayama destroys all sins and the world of illusion. A fire which is latent in wood does not become potent except by friction; just so, wisdom does not arise except by pranayama practice. It is claimed that by pranayama diseases are cured, spiritual energy is awakened, calmness and mental powers are obtained, and the practitioner is filled with bliss. When one gains control over the sympathetic nervous system, one becomes master of one’s body. One is sure to meet Brahman by the continuous practice for a year of pranayama, and without it, no yogi can realize the illumination of his soul.
Reprinted from Research Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 2, 1981