All
is in vibration. From the tiniest
atom to the greatest sun, everything is in
a state of vibration. There is nothing in
absolute rest in nature. A single
atom deprived of vibration would wreck the
universe. In incessant vibration the
universal work is performed. Matter is
being constantly played upon by energy and
countless forms and numberless varieties
result, and yet even the forms and
varieties are not permanent. They
begin to change the moment they are
created, and from them are born
innumerable forms, which in turn change
and give rise to newer forms, and so on
and on, in infinite succession. Nothing is
permanent in the world of forms, and yet
the great Reality is unchangeable. Forms
are but appearances--they come, they go,
but the Reality is eternal and
unchangeable.
The atoms of the human body are in
constant vibration. Unceasing changes are
occurring. In a few months there is almost
a complete change in the matter composing
the body, and scarcely a single atom now
composing your body will be found in it a
few months hence. Vibration, constant
vibration. Change, constant change.
In all vibration is to be found a
certain rhythm. Rhythm pervades the
universe. The swing of the planets
around the sun; the rise and fall of the
sea; the beating of the heart; the ebb and
flow of the tide; all follow rhythmics
laws. The rays of the sun reach us;
the rain descends upon us, in obedience to
the same law. All growth is but an
exhibition of this law. All motion is a
manifestation of the law of rhythm.
Our bodies are as much subject to
rhythmic laws as is the planet in its
revolution around the sun. Much of the
esoteric side of the Yogi Science of
Breath is based upon this known principle
of nature. By falling in with the
rhythm of the body, the Yogi manages to
absorb a great amount of Prana, which he
disposes of to bring about results desired
by him. We will speak of this at greater
length later on.
The body which you occupy is like a
small inlet running in to the land from
the sea. Although apparently subject
only to its own laws, it is really subject
to the ebb and flow of the tides of the
ocean. The great sea of life is
swelling and receding, rising and falling,
and we are responding to its vibrations
and rhythm. In a normal condition we
receive the vibration and rhythm of the
great ocean of life, and respond to it,
but at times the mouth of the inlet seems
choked up with debris, and we fail to
receive the impulse from Mother Ocean, and
inharmony manifests within us.
You have heard how a note on a
violin, if sounded repeatedly and in
rhythm, will start into motion vibrations
which will in time destroy a bridge. The
same result is true when a regiment of
soldiers crosses a bridge, the order being
always given to 'break step' on such an
occasion, lest the vibration bring down
both bridge and regiment. These
manifestations of the effect of rhythmic
motion will give you an idea of the effect
on the body of rhythmic breathing. The
whole system catches the vibration and
becomes in harmony with the will, which
causes the rhythmic motion of the lungs,
and while in such complete harmony will
respond readily to orders from the will.
With the body thus attuned, the Yogi finds
no difficulty in increasing the
circulation in any part of the body by an
order from the will, and in the same way
he can direct an increased current of
nerve force to any part or organ,
strengthening and stimulating it.
In the same way the Yogi by
rhythmic breathing 'catches the swing,' as
it were, and is able to absorb and control
a greatly increased amount of prana, which
is then at the disposal of his will. He
can and does use it as a vehicle for
sending forth thoughts to others and for
attracting to him all those whose thoughts
are keyed in the same vibration. The
phenomena of telepathy, thought
transference, mental healing, mesmerism,
etc. , which subjects are creating such an
interest in the Western world at the
present time, but which have been known to
the Yogis for centuries, can be greatly
increased and augmented If the person
sending forth the thoughts will do so
after rhythmic breathing. Rhythmic
breathing will increase the value of
mental healing, magnetic healing, etc. ,
several hundred per cent.
In rhythmic breathing the main
thing to be acquired is the mental idea of
rhythm. To those who know anything of
music, the idea of measured counting is
familiar. To others, the rhythmic step of
the soldier:'Left, right; left, right;
left, right; one, two, three, four; one,
two, three, four,' will convey the idea.
The Yogi bases his rhythmic time
upon a unit corresponding with the beat of
his heart. The heart beat varies in
different persons, but the heart beat unit
of each person is the proper rhythmic
standard for that particular individual in
his rhythmic breathing. Ascertain your
normal heart beat by placing your fingers
over your pulse, and then count:'1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,' etc. , until
the rhythm becomes firmly fixed in your
mind. A little practice will fix the
rhythm, so that you will be able to easily
reproduce it. The beginner usually inhales
in about six pulse units, but he will be
able to greatly increase this by practice.
The Yogi rule for rhythmic
breathing is that the units of inhalation
and exhalation should be the same, while
the units for retention and between
breaths should be one-half the number of
those of inhalation and exhalation.
The following exercise in Rhythmic
Breathing should be thoroughly mastered,
as it forms the basis of numerous other
exercises, to which reference will be made
later.
(1) Sit erect, in an easy posture,
being sure to hold the chest, neck and
head as nearly in a straight line as
possible, with shoulders slightly thrown
back and hands resting easily on the lap.
In this position the weight of the body is
largely supported by the ribs and the
position may be easily maintained. The
Yogi has found that one cannot get the
best effect of rhythmic breathing with the
chest drawn in and the abdomen protruding.
(2) Inhale slowly a Complete
Breath, counting six pulse units.
(3) Retain, counting three pulse
units.
(4) Exhale slowly through the
nostrils, counting six pulse units.
(5) Count three pulse beats between
breaths.
(6) Repeat a number of times, but
avoid fatiguing yourself at the start.
(7) When you are ready to close the
exercise, practice the cleansing breath,
which will rest you and cleanse the lungs.
After a little practice you will be
able to increase the duration of the
inhalations and exhalations, until about
fifteen pulse units are consumed. In this
increase, remember that the units for
retention and between breaths is one-half
the units for inhalation and exhalation.
Do not overdo yourself in your
effort to increase the duration of the
breath, but pay as much attention as
possible to acquiring the 'rhythm,' as
that is more important than the length of
the breath. Practice and try until you get
the measured 'swing' of the movement, and
until you can almost 'feel' the rhythm of
the vibratory motion throughout your whole
body. It will require a little practice
and perseverance, but your pleasure at
your improvement will make the task an
easy one. The Yogi is a most patient and
persevering man, and his great attainments
are due largely to the possession of these
qualities.
