Articles - Meditation and Yoga en-us http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism N/A http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism info@indiadivine.org 20 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/107/1/Advanced-Instructions-on-Meditation/ The aspirant should assume his meditative posture, close his eyes gently, and allow the breath to flow smoothly and easily. One next draws upon his imagination to create an attractive image that symbolizes his highest spiritual ideal or concept. He places this image in his heart, where he surrounds the image with an ocean of light, and holds it there, mentally visualizing it. Any beautiful image may be visualized according to the imaginative capacity of the practitioner. nospam@nospam.com (Swami Rama) Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/106/1/What-is-Pranayama/ Tasmin sati svasaprasvasayor-gativicchedah pranayamah-"Regulation of breath or the control of Prana is the stoppage of inhalation and exhalation, which follows after securing that steadiness of posture or seat." This is the definition of Pranayama in the Yoga-sutras of Patanjali. 'Svasa' means inspiratory breath. 'Prasvasa' means expiratory breath. You can take up the practice of Pranayama after you have gained steadiness in your Asana (seat). nospam@nospam.com (Swami Sivananda) Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/105/1/Importance-and-Benefits-of-Pranayama/ "The illusory Samsaric Vasana that has arisen through the practice of many lives, never perishes except through the practice of Yoga for a long time. It is not possible on the part of one to control the mind by sitting up again and again except through the approved means" (Muktikopanishad). nospam@nospam.com (Swami Sivananda) Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/104/1/Advanced-Lessons-in-Pranayama/ 'Kapala' is a Sanskrit word; it means skull. 'Bhati' means to shine. The term 'Kapalabhati' means an exercise that makes the skull shine. This Kriya cleanses the skull. So this is taken as one of the Shat-Karmas (six cleansing processes in Hatha Yoga). Sit on Padmasana. Keep the hands on knees. Close the eyes. Perform Puraka and Rechaka rapidly. This should be practised vigorously. One will get perspiration profusely. This is a good form of exercise. nospam@nospam.com (Swami Sivananda) Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/103/1/Beginning-Lessons-in-Pranayama/ When the breath is expired, it is Rechaka, the first kind of Pranayama. When the breath is drawn in, it is the second, termed Puraka. When it is suspended, it is the third kind, called Kumbhaka. Kumbhaka is retention of breath. Kumbhaka increases the period of life. It augments the inner spiritual force, vigour and vitality. If you retain the breath for one minute, this one minute is added to your span of life. Yogins by taking the breath to the Brahmarandhra at the top of the head and keeping it there, defeat the Lord of death, Yama, and conquer death. nospam@nospam.com (Swami Sivananda) Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/102/1/The-Four-Stages-of-Pranayama/ There are four Bhedas (piercing of divisions) viz., Surya, Ujjayi, Sitali and Basti. Through these four ways, when Kumbhaka is near or about to be performed, the sinless Yogi should practise the three Bandhas. The first is called Mula Bandha. The second is called Uddiyana, and the third is Jalandhara. Their nature will be thus described. Apana which has a downward tendency is forced up by contracting and drawing the anus upwards. This process is called Mula Bandha. When Apana is raised up and reaches the sphere of Agni (fire), then the flame of Agni grows long, being blown about by Vayu. The Agni and Apana come to or commingle with Prana in a heated state. Through this Agni, which is very fiery arises in the body the flaming of fire which rouses the sleeping Kundalini. nospam@nospam.com (Swami Sivananda) Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/101/1/Shat-Karmas-The-Six-Purificatory-Processes/ Those who are of a flabby and phlegmatic constitution only, should practise at first these six Kriyas to prepare themselves for the practice of Pranayama and their success comes in easily. These six Kriyas are: 1. Dhauti, 2. Basti, 3. Neti, 4. Trataka, 5. Nauli and 6. Kapalabhati. nospam@nospam.com (Swami Sivananda) Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/100/1/The-Five-Essentials-for-Practising-Pranayama/ Five things are necessary for practising Pranayama. First a good place; second, a suitable time; third, moderate, substantial, light and nutritious food; fourth, patient and persistent practice with zeal, ease and earnestness and lastly the purification of Nadis (Nadi-Suddhi). When the Nadis are purified the aspirant enters the first stage in the practice of Yoga-'Arambha'. A Pranayama practitioner has a good appetite, good digestion, cheerfulness, courage, strength, vigour, a high standard of vitality and a handsome appearance. nospam@nospam.com (Swami Sivananda) Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/98/1/Ida-Pingala-Sushumna-and-the-Shat-Chakras/ There are the two nerve-currents one on either side of the spinal column. The left one is called Ida and the right is known as Pingala. These are Nadis. Tentatively, some take these as the right and the left sympathetic cords, but they are subtle tubes that carry Prana. The Moon moves in the Ida and the Sun in the Pingala. Ida is cooling. Pingala is heating. Ida flows through the left nostril and the Pingala through the right nostril. The breath flows through the right nostril for one hour and then through the left nostril for one hour. nospam@nospam.com (Swami Sivananda) Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.indiadivine.org/hinduism/articles/97/1/Prana-and-Pranayama/ Pranayama is an exact science. It is the fourth Anga or limb of Ashtanga Yoga. "Tasmin Sati Svasa prasvasayorgativicchedah Pranayamah"-Regulation of breath or the control of Prana is the stoppage of inhalation and exhalation, which follows after securing that steadiness of posture or seat, Asana. Thus is Pranayama defined in Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Chapter II-49. nospam@nospam.com (Swami Sivananda) Tue, 28 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0400