Guest guest Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 - " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr <sivacharya > Thursday, July 05, 2007 11:42 PM [sivacharya] Re: Dhyana and dharana > Namaste Sir, > > I like your statement: " I forgo this opportunity, who knows what my next > rebirth has in store. " I always like it when someone has that spirit. > > If you don't mind input from somebody who is not " proficient " , I can give > my > 2 cents of tips. > > (0) Make sure that you breath with your diaphragm. When breathing air in, > the diaphragm should move down and the stomach should protrude out freely. > When breathing in, the diaphragm should move up and the stomach should be > drawn in. For some people, artificial and constrained breathing over many > years changes this natural breathing. Place the palms on the stomach and > then breathe in and out a few times and see if your breathing is correct. > If > it is not, first it must be corrected. > > (1) I suggest anuloma-viloma praanaayaama. Keep the lengths of pooraka > (breathing in phase), kumbhaka (holding phase) and rechaka (breathing out > phase) about the same. Though other ratios are suggested by some, this is > the best. > > (2) In fact, in the beginning, it is better to just omit kumbhaka. Just do > Pooraka-Rechaka, Pooraka-Rechaka. When you are ready, kumbhaka will > automatically come by itself! Artificially induced kumbhaka can be bad. It > should be natural. > > (3) Use a mantra (any) as a measure of time. Repeat the mantra during each > pooraka and rechaka. There is a big difference between a dry praanaayaama > without a mantra and one with a mantra. Savitru Gayatri is a good mantra > to > use, but, if it is too long, use something smaller. > > (4) Do the pranayama for 5 minutes before dhyana and then do dhyana. > > (5) During dhyana, keep your back straight (no slouching). Keep head also > up > and straight. Close the eyes. There is a big difference between meditating > with open eyes and closed eyes. > > (6) Try not to move during dhyana. If you cannot avoid physical movement > for > extended periods, atleast try small periods. For example, stay absolutely > still for 10 minutes, then move a little if needed, and then stay still > again and so on. > > (7) The goal of all spiritual sadhana is to efface ego (I-ness) and return > to the source. Whether one does dhyana or homa or pranayama or any other > practice, it should somehow or the other efface the I-ness. The practices > help one overcome ego, while the ego is an obstacle in the practices and > overcoming the ego makes the practices more effective. Thus, there is a > chicken-and-egg kind of problem here. You have to somehow get started and > the momentum slowly builds. > > Especially in the beginning, use as many tools as possible to reduce ego. > Even if pranayama and dhyana are your chosen path, other tools can be > integrated. > > (8) Cultivate the thinking that everything in this world is a property of > Shiva and you are just a caretaker. Just as a servant takes good care of a > king's properties without forming an attachment, we should take care of > things entrusted to us by Shiva. Our relations, our body, our name, our > fame, our health, our near and dear - all are Shiva's property only. We > own > absolutely NOTHING. We are just His servants and temporary caretakers. > Just > as a servant who takes care of one room in one palace can later be moved > to > another room in another palace, our duty may later change to another body, > another name, another fame, another set of relations etc. A servant takes > excellent care of his king's properties, but does not think of those > things > as his and doesn't get attached. We should also be that way. > > One may wonder what this has to do with pranayama and dhyana. But such > detachment and control over mind does help. > > Pranayama literally means " disciplining/restraining the pranas " . Pranas > are > not just breathing or air. Prana means the life force. It includes the > mind > and movement of thought in it. We control breathing so that our thoughts > are > controlled. But again, if thoughts are not restrained, breathing is not > fully restrained. This is also a chicken and egg kind of issue. Thus, > having > the correct mental attitude, control over mind and restraint over the > movement of thoughts helps in a more effective praanaayaama. > > Thus, having the correct attitude and cutting down on unnecessary > attachments IS very conducive to an effective praanaayaama and an > effective > dhyaana. > > Now I have to go. > > Best regards, > Narasimha > ------------------------------- > Homam manual and audio: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org > ------------------------------- > > - > " b_jamnadas " <b_jamna> > <sivacharya > > Thursday, July 05, 2007 10:28 AM > [sivacharya] Dhyana and dharana > > >> Dear Respected Group Members, >> >> I was going though Kirana Agama and in one of the chapters, the >> benefits of dhyana/dharana and pranayam are described. Pranayam is a >> techique that I have been trying to practice for some time after >> suffering from indigestion for some years now. The second resason >> was that I wanted to attain a level of concentration in my mantra >> jap. There has been occassions (very seldom though) when I attain a >> level of concentration higher than what I would attain noramlly and >> I very much like this feeling. >> >> I would like to put some discipline in my appraoch to practice pf >> pranayam, reading books which illustrates different methods makes me >> very confused about the approach that best fits me. If there is any >> shiv bhakt in this group who has attained a level of proficiency or >> knows someone who has attained proficiency in dhyana and pranayam, I >> would very much appreciate some direction. Right now my approach >> lacks any specific direction and I am getting frustated. In this >> life, after I don;t know how many previous rebirths, I have shown >> interest in pranayam. I would like to make progress in this area. If >> I forgo this opportunity, who knows what my next rebirth has in >> store. >> >> I am aware of a lot of material on the internet in this matter but >> right now, I am trying to connect to a person with these skills. >> >> I would very much appreciate some inout from anyone who knows about >> this. >> >> OM NAMAHA SIVAYA! >> >> Regards, >> Bhupendra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 Narasimha Garu, You wrote: > (0) Make sure that you breath with your diaphragm. When breathing air in, > the diaphragm should move down and the stomach should protrude out freely. > When breathing in, the diaphragm should move up and the stomach should be > drawn in. For some people, artificial and constrained breathing over many > years changes this natural breathing. Place the palms on the stomach and > then breathe in and out a few times and see if your breathing is correct. > If > it is not, first it must be corrected. I am sure that first one you wrote for Breathing in & the next for Breath out.it seems to be typo error. I practise Sudarshan Kriya for sometime now. My Diaphram goes up & stomach inside (chest comes out) when breathing In & reverse for Breathing out. I can do the reverse way without any problem but in comparision i have found that the first one mentioned by me gives me much better feeling. Your statement has again intrigued me. would you reply? Warm Regards Utpal , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr wrote: > > - > " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr > <sivacharya > > Thursday, July 05, 2007 11:42 PM > [sivacharya] Re: Dhyana and dharana > > > > Namaste Sir, > > > > I like your statement: " I forgo this opportunity, who knows what my next > > rebirth has in store. " I always like it when someone has that spirit. > > > > If you don't mind input from somebody who is not " proficient " , I can give > > my > > 2 cents of tips. > > > > (0) Make sure that you breath with your diaphragm. When breathing air in, > > the diaphragm should move down and the stomach should protrude out freely. > > When breathing in, the diaphragm should move up and the stomach should be > > drawn in. For some people, artificial and constrained breathing over many > > years changes this natural breathing. Place the palms on the stomach and > > then breathe in and out a few times and see if your breathing is correct. > > If > > it is not, first it must be corrected. > > > > (1) I suggest anuloma-viloma praanaayaama. Keep the lengths of pooraka > > (breathing in phase), kumbhaka (holding phase) and rechaka (breathing out > > phase) about the same. Though other ratios are suggested by some, this is > > the best. > > > > (2) In fact, in the beginning, it is better to just omit kumbhaka. Just do > > Pooraka-Rechaka, Pooraka-Rechaka. When you are ready, kumbhaka will > > automatically come by itself! Artificially induced kumbhaka can be bad. It > > should be natural. > > > > (3) Use a mantra (any) as a measure of time. Repeat the mantra during each > > pooraka and rechaka. There is a big difference between a dry praanaayaama > > without a mantra and one with a mantra. Savitru Gayatri is a good mantra > > to > > use, but, if it is too long, use something smaller. > > > > (4) Do the pranayama for 5 minutes before dhyana and then do dhyana. > > > > (5) During dhyana, keep your back straight (no slouching). Keep head also > > up > > and straight. Close the eyes. There is a big difference between meditating > > with open eyes and closed eyes. > > > > (6) Try not to move during dhyana. If you cannot avoid physical movement > > for > > extended periods, atleast try small periods. For example, stay absolutely > > still for 10 minutes, then move a little if needed, and then stay still > > again and so on. > > > > (7) The goal of all spiritual sadhana is to efface ego (I-ness) and return > > to the source. Whether one does dhyana or homa or pranayama or any other > > practice, it should somehow or the other efface the I-ness. The practices > > help one overcome ego, while the ego is an obstacle in the practices and > > overcoming the ego makes the practices more effective. Thus, there is a > > chicken-and-egg kind of problem here. You have to somehow get started and > > the momentum slowly builds. > > > > Especially in the beginning, use as many tools as possible to reduce ego. > > Even if pranayama and dhyana are your chosen path, other tools can be > > integrated. > > > > (8) Cultivate the thinking that everything in this world is a property of > > Shiva and you are just a caretaker. Just as a servant takes good care of a > > king's properties without forming an attachment, we should take care of > > things entrusted to us by Shiva. Our relations, our body, our name, our > > fame, our health, our near and dear - all are Shiva's property only. We > > own > > absolutely NOTHING. We are just His servants and temporary caretakers. > > Just > > as a servant who takes care of one room in one palace can later be moved > > to > > another room in another palace, our duty may later change to another body, > > another name, another fame, another set of relations etc. A servant takes > > excellent care of his king's properties, but does not think of those > > things > > as his and doesn't get attached. We should also be that way. > > > > One may wonder what this has to do with pranayama and dhyana. But such > > detachment and control over mind does help. > > > > Pranayama literally means " disciplining/restraining the pranas " . Pranas > > are > > not just breathing or air. Prana means the life force. It includes the > > mind > > and movement of thought in it. We control breathing so that our thoughts > > are > > controlled. But again, if thoughts are not restrained, breathing is not > > fully restrained. This is also a chicken and egg kind of issue. Thus, > > having > > the correct mental attitude, control over mind and restraint over the > > movement of thoughts helps in a more effective praanaayaama. > > > > Thus, having the correct attitude and cutting down on unnecessary > > attachments IS very conducive to an effective praanaayaama and an > > effective > > dhyaana. > > > > Now I have to go. > > > > Best regards, > > Narasimha > > ------------------------------- > > Homam manual and audio: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org > > ------------------------------- > > > > - > > " b_jamnadas " <b_jamna> > > <sivacharya > > > Thursday, July 05, 2007 10:28 AM > > [sivacharya] Dhyana and dharana > > > > > >> Dear Respected Group Members, > >> > >> I was going though Kirana Agama and in one of the chapters, the > >> benefits of dhyana/dharana and pranayam are described. Pranayam is a > >> techique that I have been trying to practice for some time after > >> suffering from indigestion for some years now. The second resason > >> was that I wanted to attain a level of concentration in my mantra > >> jap. There has been occassions (very seldom though) when I attain a > >> level of concentration higher than what I would attain noramlly and > >> I very much like this feeling. > >> > >> I would like to put some discipline in my appraoch to practice pf > >> pranayam, reading books which illustrates different methods makes me > >> very confused about the approach that best fits me. If there is any > >> shiv bhakt in this group who has attained a level of proficiency or > >> knows someone who has attained proficiency in dhyana and pranayam, I > >> would very much appreciate some direction. Right now my approach > >> lacks any specific direction and I am getting frustated. In this > >> life, after I don;t know how many previous rebirths, I have shown > >> interest in pranayam. I would like to make progress in this area. If > >> I forgo this opportunity, who knows what my next rebirth has in > >> store. > >> > >> I am aware of a lot of material on the internet in this matter but > >> right now, I am trying to connect to a person with these skills. > >> > >> I would very much appreciate some inout from anyone who knows about > >> this. > >> > >> OM NAMAHA SIVAYA! > >> > >> Regards, > >> Bhupendra. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 Namaste Bhupendra ji, (0) When you breathe in, diaphragm (the muscle between lungs and stomach) should move down so that lungs can expand and move down and push stomach. Then stomach protrudes outward. This gives more volume to lungs and they can take more air. When you breathe out, stomach is contracted inside and diaphragm moves up and lungs contract and move up. This is the correct breathing. Due to the bias in modern lifestyle against a stomach that protrudes out, this natural breathing is sub-consciously curbed by most people. They don't give enough room to their lungs when they breathe in. Their stomach does not move. Some people do it even worse. As the lungs are sucking in air, their lung muscles get used to sucking everything around them towards them. Thus, their diaphragm is sucked in by the lungs and moves UP when they are breathing in. When they are breathing out, all the lung muscles are relaxed and move away from lungs. This releases the diaphragm to move DOWN when breathing out. This bad breathing style actually reduces the volume of lungs considerably (instead of increasing it considerably) when breathing in. This is the opposite of the correct breathing. This is quite bad. Unfortunately, many people " suffer from " this breathing style these days! (1) I am aware of 1:4:2. But 1:1:1 is better for overall health. That is what Vasishtha and Vivekananda taught. Make pooraka and rechaka the same and make kumbhaka as whatever is comfortable. (3) Well, it is indeed tough to get a good rhythm with mantra in 1:4:2. But mantra works quite well with 1:1. In the beginning, you will be focussing on mantra. After some days, it is possible to focus on breath too. Actually, I'll say the purpose is served irrespective of whether you are focussing on mantra or breath or even an image of god. As long as there is some focus for the mind, the purpose is served. (4) When you breathe in forcefully and hold the air, it does feel very nice. But everythingthing that feels nice is not necessarily good for you! (5-6) If you have a knee problem, do sit on a chair. Irrespective of how your legs are, make sure that you have your back and head erect and eyes closed. That is the key. If you fall asleep, then you will have to find some solution that stops you from doing it. (7) This is not a problem with praanaayaama alone. This is a fundamental problem with all sadhana. Each mode of spiritual sadhana (japam, praanaayaamam, homam etc) gives results based on our level of purity and purity comes as you do more sadhana. It is a chicken-and-egg came. You just have to get started and hang in there without worrying about the speed at which results are coming. Slowly the momentum builds. After crossing a threshold, results start coming very quickly. You just do the best you can do at a given point of time and leave the rest to Her. If you have time, energy and inclination, you can consider homam. Out of all the practices I know, homam is the fastest in burning karmas and purifying one's core. That is the power of living fire. If you do a daily homam of 30-45 min for 6 months, your dhyana and dharana will improve a lot. * * * A couple of additional points: (9) There is something known as the " nasal cycle " . The breathing is not equal in the two nostrils at all times. The left nostril is more free and the right nostril is less free for 2 hours. Then the right nostril is more free and the left nostril is less free for another 2 hours. And so on. This pattern was taught by Yogis and now science also found it and calls it the nasal cycle. The 2 hour period mentioned by me is ideal. In most people, it is different. For example, someone may have a more active right nostril for 2.5 hours and a more active left nostril for 1.5 hours. Keep one nostril closed and breathe in and breathe out through the other nostril. Now swich the try the other nostril. See which one feels more free. You can also stand in front of a mirror and breathe in out through both nostrils and see in the mirron which nostril is opening more. If you track your cycle, the time when the active nostril is about to change is a good time to do praanaayaama. At the transition time, both nostrils are more or less equally open! That is conducive to a more fruitful praanaayaama. In general, the right and left nostrils are associated with the Pingala (Surya) and Ida (Chandra) nadis of the subtle body. In modern scientific terminology, they are associated with the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. One nervous system is " push " based and the other is " pull " based. One excites and the other restrains. As a result, there is balance. There are certain activities that are best performed when the right nostril is more active and certain activities that are best performed when the left nostril is more active. It is also possible to force a change in the active nostril through action. If you lie down on the floor on your left side, then the right nostril will open up in 5-10 minutes. Or, if you chant Savitru Gayatri mantra for a while perfectly, the right nostril will open up. (10) Just as there is a kumbhaka between pooraka and rechaka, it is possible to have a shoonyaka (name coined by me) between rechaka and pooraka. It is possible to empty the lungs (rechaka) and hold like that for a while (shoonyaka) before breathing in again (pooraka). Though Vasishtha does not mention the name shoonyaka, he does talk in Yoga Vaasishtham about holding breath after rechaka and seeing gods and celestials. However, this is a really dicey thing and I should have perhaps not even mentioned. One needs to be guided by a sadguru and have his blessings. (11) When you do anulom-vilom, do you breath in through right nostril first or left? Both are possible. If you start breathing from the left, it causes " Pushti " (nourishment). If you start breathing from right, it causes " Yashti " (sacrifice, i.e. burning). The Ida nadi (Moon - left) causes pushti, while Pingala nadi (Sun - right) causes yashti. Depending on what you want, you can adopt one way. Instead of anulom-vilom, it is actually possible to always breathe in from left and breathe out through right (to gain weight, i.e. pushti) or to breathe in from right and breathe out through left (to lose weight, i.e. yashti). In this approach, all poorakas are from ONE nostril (left or right) and all rechakas are through the other nostril (right or left). This is good for the specific purpose of activating one nadi. Even in anulom-vilom, different teachers teach differently. You decide it based on your goal. I have given the basis above. Best regards, Narasimha ------------------------------- Homam manual and audio: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org ------------------------------- - " b_jamnadas " <b_jamna> <sivacharya > Monday, July 09, 2007 12:10 PM [sivacharya] Re: Dhyana and dharana > Namaste Narasimha Ji, > > I thank you very much for your reply. Regarding the point-wise > explanation, let me give you some feedback on some of them. > > 0)I already do that, basically the chest moves up during breath-in > and moves down when expelling air. I have not noticed the stomach > movement though. I will pay attention to it. > > 1) Anulom-Vilom is what I have been doing....that is the first > exercise that I perform when I sit down to practice pranaayam. I try > to keep rechaka twice as long of puraka and I try to do kumbhaka for > a much longer period, but only to the extent where I do not stress > myself. I basically try to follow 1:4:2 ratio for puraka, kumbhaka > and rechaka. Believe it or not, I simply do not like doing anulom- > vilom without kumbhaka. With kumbhaka, I feel at peace, and without > it, I feel restless, I begin watching the clock for it to be over. I > tried for a period to do anulom-vilom without kumbhaka, but > thereafter, I became so dis-inclined towards doing anulom-vilom, > that I began to realise it was pointless doing it in such a state of > mind. > > 3)Pranayam with mantra....for some reason, the rhythm is not there > when I try that. I noticed that I ended up concentrating more on the > mantra then on the breathing so I rolled back to simply " dry " > pranayam as you term it to go back to basics. > > 4) That is what I do. Instead of clocking my time, I try to time by > the number of cycles. I also do Bhastrika following anuloom-vilom, > about 10-12 rounds, I am trying to increase the duration of kumbhaka > in this, again trying not to stress myself. I am able to do kumbhaka > in here for a much longer duration that I can in anulom-vilom, I am > guessing becuase of the forceful deep breathing. > > 5-6)remaining still is a big problem for me becuase of knee pain. So > someone suggested I try to do pranayam sitting in a chair, but doing > this, I become sleepy on most days so I have to come down. > > 7) This is where I have problem. I have read that pranayam burns > samskaaras and help concentration, yet some caim that concentration > is necessary for successful pranayam. THIS I DO NOT UNDERSTAND, i > HAVE A MIND THAT IS SIMPLY INCAPABLE OF SITTING ON ONE THING. And > there are certain vises (and I do not know if these are vices) that > I am not able to give up, I am in constant conflict with myself and > some around me for that reason. > > 8)This also I am doing but I have to withdraw time and again becuase > I develop a guilty feeling towards spending money on fulfilling > personal wishes, comes to a point where I am cutting back on > personal expenses just so that I can make sufficient donations. > > > > Regards, > Bhupendra. > > sivacharya , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr > wrote: >> >> Namaste Sir, >> >> I like your statement: " I forgo this opportunity, who knows what > my next >> rebirth has in store. " I always like it when someone has that > spirit. >> >> If you don't mind input from somebody who is not " proficient " , I > can give my >> 2 cents of tips. >> >> (0) Make sure that you breath with your diaphragm. When breathing > air in, >> the diaphragm should move down and the stomach should protrude out > freely. >> When breathing in, the diaphragm should move up and the stomach > should be >> drawn in. For some people, artificial and constrained breathing > over many >> years changes this natural breathing. Place the palms on the > stomach and >> then breathe in and out a few times and see if your breathing is > correct. If >> it is not, first it must be corrected. >> >> (1) I suggest anuloma-viloma praanaayaama. Keep the lengths of > pooraka >> (breathing in phase), kumbhaka (holding phase) and rechaka > (breathing out >> phase) about the same. Though other ratios are suggested by some, > this is >> the best. >> >> (2) In fact, in the beginning, it is better to just omit kumbhaka. > Just do >> Pooraka-Rechaka, Pooraka-Rechaka. When you are ready, kumbhaka > will >> automatically come by itself! Artificially induced kumbhaka can be > bad. It >> should be natural. >> >> (3) Use a mantra (any) as a measure of time. Repeat the mantra > during each >> pooraka and rechaka. There is a big difference between a dry > praanaayaama >> without a mantra and one with a mantra. Savitru Gayatri is a good > mantra to >> use, but, if it is too long, use something smaller. >> >> (4) Do the pranayama for 5 minutes before dhyana and then do > dhyana. >> >> (5) During dhyana, keep your back straight (no slouching). Keep > head also up >> and straight. Close the eyes. There is a big difference between > meditating >> with open eyes and closed eyes. >> >> (6) Try not to move during dhyana. If you cannot avoid physical > movement for >> extended periods, atleast try small periods. For example, stay > absolutely >> still for 10 minutes, then move a little if needed, and then stay > still >> again and so on. >> >> (7) The goal of all spiritual sadhana is to efface ego (I-ness) > and return >> to the source. Whether one does dhyana or homa or pranayama or any > other >> practice, it should somehow or the other efface the I-ness. The > practices >> help one overcome ego, while the ego is an obstacle in the > practices and >> overcoming the ego makes the practices more effective. Thus, there > is a >> chicken-and-egg kind of problem here. You have to somehow get > started and >> the momentum slowly builds. >> >> Especially in the beginning, use as many tools as possible to > reduce ego. >> Even if pranayama and dhyana are your chosen path, other tools can > be >> integrated. >> >> (8) Cultivate the thinking that everything in this world is a > property of >> Shiva and you are just a caretaker. Just as a servant takes good > care of a >> king's properties without forming an attachment, we should take > care of >> things entrusted to us by Shiva. Our relations, our body, our > name, our >> fame, our health, our near and dear - all are Shiva's property > only. We own >> absolutely NOTHING. We are just His servants and temporary > caretakers. Just >> as a servant who takes care of one room in one palace can later be > moved to >> another room in another palace, our duty may later change to > another body, >> another name, another fame, another set of relations etc. A > servant takes >> excellent care of his king's properties, but does not think of > those things >> as his and doesn't get attached. We should also be that way. >> >> One may wonder what this has to do with pranayama and dhyana. But > such >> detachment and control over mind does help. >> >> Pranayama literally means " disciplining/restraining the pranas " . > Pranas are >> not just breathing or air. Prana means the life force. It includes > the mind >> and movement of thought in it. We control breathing so that our > thoughts are >> controlled. But again, if thoughts are not restrained, breathing > is not >> fully restrained. This is also a chicken and egg kind of issue. > Thus, having >> the correct mental attitude, control over mind and restraint over > the >> movement of thoughts helps in a more effective praanaayaama. >> >> Thus, having the correct attitude and cutting down on unnecessary >> attachments IS very conducive to an effective praanaayaama and an > effective >> dhyaana. >> >> Now I have to go. >> >> Best regards, >> Narasimha >> ------------------------------- >> Homam manual and audio: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam >> Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net >> Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org >> Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org >> ------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 Dear Bhupendra ji, If one does uni-directional praanaayaam while breathing in through the left nostril, the Ida nadi (lunar channel) becomes activated. It is exerted more. More activity in the Ida nadi soothes the person with cool energy (Moon). This kind of praanaayaam when done for a few months can make the person pick up weight. It can also increase contentment on the positive side and laziness on the negative. If one does uni-directional praanaayaam while breathing in through the right nostril, the Pingala nadi (solar channel) becomes activated. It is exerted more. More activity in the Pingala nadi excites the person with warm energy (Sun). This kind of praanaayaam when done for a few months can make the person lose weight. It can also increase activeness on the positive side and irritability on the negative. The difference between starting with right and left is more prominent in uni-directional praanaayaam than in anulom-vilom. Similar difference is found in anulom-vilom based on left/right, but the degree is smaller. If you are used to starting with left nostril in anulom-vilom like most are, continue like that. That is fine. Best regards,Narasimha-------------------------------Homam manual and audio: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org------------------------------- - Bhupendra Jamnadas sivacharya Tuesday, July 10, 2007 2:30 PM Re: [sivacharya] Re: Dhyana and dharana Dear Narasimha Ji, Thank you very much for your feedback.m It is the first time though that I have heard about naulom-vilom starting from the right nose. It wouold be possible for you to further elaborate on yashti and pushti? Thank you. Bhupendra."Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr wrote: Namaste Bhupendra ji,(0) When you breathe in, diaphragm (the muscle between lungs and stomach) should move down so that lungs can expand and move down and push stomach. Then stomach protrudes outward. This gives more volume to lungs and they can take more air. When you breathe out, stomach is contracted inside and diaphragm moves up and lungs contract and move up. This is the correct breathing.Due to the bias in modern lifestyle against a stomach that protrudes out, this natural breathing is sub-consciously curbed by most people. They don't give enough room to their lungs when they breathe in. Their stomach does not move.Some people do it even worse. As the lungs are sucking in air, their lung muscles get used to sucking everything around them towards them. Thus, their diaphragm is sucked in by the lungs and moves UP when they are breathing in. When they are breathing out, all the lung muscles are relaxed and move away from lungs. This releases the diaphragm to move DOWN when breathing out. This bad breathing style actually reduces the volume of lungs considerably (instead of increasing it considerably) when breathing in. This is the opposite of the correct breathing. This is quite bad. Unfortunately, many people "suffer from" this breathing style these days!(1) I am aware of 1:4:2. But 1:1:1 is better for overall health. That is what Vasishtha and Vivekananda taught. Make pooraka and rechaka the same and make kumbhaka as whatever is comfortable.(3) Well, it is indeed tough to get a good rhythm with mantra in 1:4:2. But mantra works quite well with 1:1. In the beginning, you will be focussing on mantra. After some days, it is possible to focus on breath too. Actually, I'll say the purpose is served irrespective of whether you are focussing on mantra or breath or even an image of god. As long as there is some focus for the mind, the purpose is served.(4) When you breathe in forcefully and hold the air, it does feel very nice. But everythingthing that feels nice is not necessarily good for you!(5-6) If you have a knee problem, do sit on a chair. Irrespective of how your legs are, make sure that you have your back and head erect and eyes closed. That is the key. If you fall asleep, then you will have to find some solution that stops you from doing it.(7) This is not a problem with praanaayaama alone. This is a fundamental problem with all sadhana. Each mode of spiritual sadhana (japam, praanaayaamam, homam etc) gives results based on our level of purity and purity comes as you do more sadhana. It is a chicken-and-egg came. You just have to get started and hang in there without worrying about the speed at which results are coming. Slowly the momentum builds. After crossing a threshold, results start coming very quickly.You just do the best you can do at a given point of time and leave the rest to Her.If you have time, energy and inclination, you can consider homam. Out of all the practices I know, homam is the fastest in burning karmas and purifying one's core. That is the power of living fire. If you do a daily homam of 30-45 min for 6 months, your dhyana and dharana will improve a lot.* * *A couple of additional points:(9) There is something known as the "nasal cycle". The breathing is not equal in the two nostrils at all times. The left nostril is more free and the right nostril is less free for 2 hours. Then the right nostril is more free and the left nostril is less free for another 2 hours. And so on. This pattern was taught by Yogis and now science also found it and calls it the nasal cycle. The 2 hour period mentioned by me is ideal. In most people, it is different. For example, someone may have a more active right nostril for 2.5 hours and a more active left nostril for 1.5 hours.Keep one nostril closed and breathe in and breathe out through the other nostril. Now swich the try the other nostril. See which one feels more free. You can also stand in front of a mirror and breathe in out through both nostrils and see in the mirron which nostril is opening more.If you track your cycle, the time when the active nostril is about to change is a good time to do praanaayaama. At the transition time, both nostrils are more or less equally open! That is conducive to a more fruitful praanaayaama.In general, the right and left nostrils are associated with the Pingala (Surya) and Ida (Chandra) nadis of the subtle body. In modern scientific terminology, they are associated with the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. One nervous system is "push" based and the other is "pull" based. One excites and the other restrains. As a result, there is balance.There are certain activities that are best performed when the right nostril is more active and certain activities that are best performed when the left nostril is more active. It is also possible to force a change in the active nostril through action. If you lie down on the floor on your left side, then the right nostril will open up in 5-10 minutes. Or, if you chant Savitru Gayatri mantra for a while perfectly, the right nostril will open up.(10) Just as there is a kumbhaka between pooraka and rechaka, it is possible to have a shoonyaka (name coined by me) between rechaka and pooraka. It is possible to empty the lungs (rechaka) and hold like that for a while (shoonyaka) before breathing in again (pooraka). Though Vasishtha does not mention the name shoonyaka, he does talk in Yoga Vaasishtham about holding breath after rechaka and seeing gods and celestials.However, this is a really dicey thing and I should have perhaps not even mentioned. One needs to be guided by a sadguru and have his blessings.(11) When you do anulom-vilom, do you breath in through right nostril first or left? Both are possible. If you start breathing from the left, it causes "Pushti" (nourishment). If you start breathing from right, it causes "Yashti" (sacrifice, i.e. burning). The Ida nadi (Moon - left) causes pushti, while Pingala nadi (Sun - right) causes yashti. Depending on what you want, you can adopt one way.Instead of anulom-vilom, it is actually possible to always breathe in from left and breathe out through right (to gain weight, i.e. pushti) or to breathe in from right and breathe out through left (to lose weight, i.e. yashti). In this approach, all poorakas are from ONE nostril (left or right) and all rechakas are through the other nostril (right or left). This is good for the specific purpose of activating one nadi.Even in anulom-vilom, different teachers teach differently. You decide it based on your goal. I have given the basis above.Best regards,Narasimha-------------------------Homam manual and audio: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 Parnam narsimha ji excellent writing ..........mind blowing ....................thanks sir regard amit puri"Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr wrote: Namaste Bhupendra ji,(0) When you breathe in, diaphragm (the muscle between lungs and stomach) should move down so that lungs can expand and move down and push stomach. Then stomach protrudes outward. This gives more volume to lungs and they can take more air. When you breathe out, stomach is contracted inside and diaphragm moves up and lungs contract and move up. This is the correct breathing.Due to the bias in modern lifestyle against a stomach that protrudes out, this natural breathing is sub-consciously curbed by most people. They don't give enough room to their lungs when they breathe in. Their stomach does not move.Some people do it even worse. As the lungs are sucking in air, their lung muscles get used to sucking everything around them towards them. Thus, their diaphragm is sucked in by the lungs and moves UP when they are breathing in. When they are breathing out, all the lung muscles are relaxed and move away from lungs. This releases the diaphragm to move DOWN when breathing out. This bad breathing style actually reduces the volume of lungs considerably (instead of increasing it considerably) when breathing in. This is the opposite of the correct breathing. This is quite bad. Unfortunately, many people "suffer from" this breathing style these days!(1) I am aware of 1:4:2. But 1:1:1 is better for overall health. That is what Vasishtha and Vivekananda taught. Make pooraka and rechaka the same and make kumbhaka as whatever is comfortable.(3) Well, it is indeed tough to get a good rhythm with mantra in 1:4:2. But mantra works quite well with 1:1. In the beginning, you will be focussing on mantra. After some days, it is possible to focus on breath too. Actually, I'll say the purpose is served irrespective of whether you are focussing on mantra or breath or even an image of god. As long as there is some focus for the mind, the purpose is served.(4) When you breathe in forcefully and hold the air, it does feel very nice. But everythingthing that feels nice is not necessarily good for you!(5-6) If you have a knee problem, do sit on a chair. Irrespective of how your legs are, make sure that you have your back and head erect and eyes closed. That is the key. If you fall asleep, then you will have to find some solution that stops you from doing it.(7) This is not a problem with praanaayaama alone. This is a fundamental problem with all sadhana. Each mode of spiritual sadhana (japam, praanaayaamam, homam etc) gives results based on our level of purity and purity comes as you do more sadhana. It is a chicken-and-egg came. You just have to get started and hang in there without worrying about the speed at which results are coming. Slowly the momentum builds. After crossing a threshold, results start coming very quickly.You just do the best you can do at a given point of time and leave the rest to Her.If you have time, energy and inclination, you can consider homam. Out of all the practices I know, homam is the fastest in burning karmas and purifying one's core. That is the power of living fire. If you do a daily homam of 30-45 min for 6 months, your dhyana and dharana will improve a lot.* * *A couple of additional points:(9) There is something known as the "nasal cycle". The breathing is not equal in the two nostrils at all times. The left nostril is more free and the right nostril is less free for 2 hours. Then the right nostril is more free and the left nostril is less free for another 2 hours. And so on. This pattern was taught by Yogis and now science also found it and calls it the nasal cycle. The 2 hour period mentioned by me is ideal. In most people, it is different. For example, someone may have a more active right nostril for 2.5 hours and a more active left nostril for 1.5 hours.Keep one nostril closed and breathe in and breathe out through the other nostril. Now swich the try the other nostril. See which one feels more free. You can also stand in front of a mirror and breathe in out through both nostrils and see in the mirron which nostril is opening more.If you track your cycle, the time when the active nostril is about to change is a good time to do praanaayaama. At the transition time, both nostrils are more or less equally open! That is conducive to a more fruitful praanaayaama.In general, the right and left nostrils are associated with the Pingala (Surya) and Ida (Chandra) nadis of the subtle body. In modern scientific terminology, they are associated with the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. One nervous system is "push" based and the other is "pull" based. One excites and the other restrains. As a result, there is balance.There are certain activities that are best performed when the right nostril is more active and certain activities that are best performed when the left nostril is more active. It is also possible to force a change in the active nostril through action. If you lie down on the floor on your left side, then the right nostril will open up in 5-10 minutes. Or, if you chant Savitru Gayatri mantra for a while perfectly, the right nostril will open up.(10) Just as there is a kumbhaka between pooraka and rechaka, it is possible to have a shoonyaka (name coined by me) between rechaka and pooraka. It is possible to empty the lungs (rechaka) and hold like that for a while (shoonyaka) before breathing in again (pooraka). Though Vasishtha does not mention the name shoonyaka, he does talk in Yoga Vaasishtham about holding breath after rechaka and seeing gods and celestials.However, this is a really dicey thing and I should have perhaps not even mentioned. One needs to be guided by a sadguru and have his blessings.(11) When you do anulom-vilom, do you breath in through right nostril first or left? Both are possible. If you start breathing from the left, it causes "Pushti" (nourishment). If you start breathing from right, it causes "Yashti" (sacrifice, i.e. burning). The Ida nadi (Moon - left) causes pushti, while Pingala nadi (Sun - right) causes yashti. Depending on what you want, you can adopt one way.Instead of anulom-vilom, it is actually possible to always breathe in from left and breathe out through right (to gain weight, i.e. pushti) or to breathe in from right and breathe out through left (to lose weight, i.e. yashti). In this approach, all poorakas are from ONE nostril (left or right) and all rechakas are through the other nostril (right or left). This is good for the specific purpose of activating one nadi.Even in anulom-vilom, different teachers teach differently. You decide it based on your goal. I have given the basis above.Best regards,Narasimha-------------------------Homam manual and audio: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org------------------------------ Original Message ----- "b_jamnadas" <b_jamnadas (AT) (DOT) ca><sivacharya >Monday, July 09, 2007 12:10 PM[sivacharya] Re: Dhyana and dharana> Namaste Narasimha Ji,>> I thank you very much for your reply. Regarding the point-wise> explanation, let me give you some feedback on some of them.>> 0)I already do that, basically the chest moves up during breath-in> and moves down when expelling air. I have not noticed the stomach> movement though. I will pay attention to it.>> 1) Anulom-Vilom is what I have been doing....that is the first> exercise that I perform when I sit down to practice pranaayam. I try> to keep rechaka twice as long of puraka and I try to do kumbhaka for> a much longer period, but only to the extent where I do not stress> myself. I basically try to follow 1:4:2 ratio for puraka, kumbhaka> and rechaka. Believe it or not, I simply do not like doing anulom-> vilom without kumbhaka. With kumbhaka, I feel at peace, and without> it, I feel restless, I begin watching the clock for it to be over. I> tried for a period to do anulom-vilom without kumbhaka, but> thereafter, I became so dis-inclined towards doing anulom-vilom,> that I began to realise it was pointless doing it in such a state of> mind.>> 3)Pranayam with mantra....for some reason, the rhythm is not there> when I try that. I noticed that I ended up concentrating more on the> mantra then on the breathing so I rolled back to simply "dry"> pranayam as you term it to go back to basics.>> 4) That is what I do. Instead of clocking my time, I try to time by> the number of cycles. I also do Bhastrika following anuloom-vilom,> about 10-12 rounds, I am trying to increase the duration of kumbhaka> in this, again trying not to stress myself. I am able to do kumbhaka> in here for a much longer duration that I can in anulom-vilom, I am> guessing becuase of the forceful deep breathing.>> 5-6)remaining still is a big problem for me becuase of knee pain. So> someone suggested I try to do pranayam sitting in a chair, but doing> this, I become sleepy on most days so I have to come down.>> 7) This is where I have problem. I have read that pranayam burns> samskaaras and help concentration, yet some caim that concentration> is necessary for successful pranayam. THIS I DO NOT UNDERSTAND, i> HAVE A MIND THAT IS SIMPLY INCAPABLE OF SITTING ON ONE THING. And> there are certain vises (and I do not know if these are vices) that> I am not able to give up, I am in constant conflict with myself and> some around me for that reason.>> 8)This also I am doing but I have to withdraw time and again becuase> I develop a guilty feeling towards spending money on fulfilling> personal wishes, comes to a point where I am cutting back on> personal expenses just so that I can make sufficient donations.>>>> Regards,> Bhupendra.>> sivacharya , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr> wrote:>>>> Namaste Sir,>>>> I like your statement: "I forgo this opportunity, who knows what> my next>> rebirth has in store." I always like it when someone has that> spirit.>>>> If you don't mind input from somebody who is not "proficient", I> can give my>> 2 cents of tips.>>>> (0) Make sure that you breath with your diaphragm. When breathing> air in,>> the diaphragm should move down and the stomach should protrude out> freely.>> When breathing in, the diaphragm should move up and the stomach> should be>> drawn in. For some people, artificial and constrained breathing> over many>> years changes this natural breathing. Place the palms on the> stomach and>> then breathe in and out a few times and see if your breathing is> correct. If>> it is not, first it must be corrected.>>>> (1) I suggest anuloma-viloma praanaayaama. Keep the lengths of> pooraka>> (breathing in phase), kumbhaka (holding phase) and rechaka> (breathing out>> phase) about the same. Though other ratios are suggested by some,> this is>> the best.>>>> (2) In fact, in the beginning, it is better to just omit kumbhaka.> Just do>> Pooraka-Rechaka, Pooraka-Rechaka. When you are ready, kumbhaka> will>> automatically come by itself! Artificially induced kumbhaka can be> bad. It>> should be natural.>>>> (3) Use a mantra (any) as a measure of time. Repeat the mantra> during each>> pooraka and rechaka. There is a big difference between a dry> praanaayaama>> without a mantra and one with a mantra. Savitru Gayatri is a good> mantra to>> use, but, if it is too long, use something smaller.>>>> (4) Do the pranayama for 5 minutes before dhyana and then do> dhyana.>>>> (5) During dhyana, keep your back straight (no slouching). Keep> head also up>> and straight. Close the eyes. There is a big difference between> meditating>> with open eyes and closed eyes.>>>> (6) Try not to move during dhyana. If you cannot avoid physical> movement for>> extended periods, atleast try small periods. For example, stay> absolutely>> still for 10 minutes, then move a little if needed, and then stay> still>> again and so on.>>>> (7) The goal of all spiritual sadhana is to efface ego (I-ness)> and return>> to the source. Whether one does dhyana or homa or pranayama or any> other>> practice, it should somehow or the other efface the I-ness. The> practices>> help one overcome ego, while the ego is an obstacle in the> practices and>> overcoming the ego makes the practices more effective. Thus, there> is a>> chicken-and-egg kind of problem here. You have to somehow get> started and>> the momentum slowly builds.>>>> Especially in the beginning, use as many tools as possible to> reduce ego.>> Even if pranayama and dhyana are your chosen path, other tools can> be>> integrated.>>>> (8) Cultivate the thinking that everything in this world is a> property of>> Shiva and you are just a caretaker. Just as a servant takes good> care of a>> king's properties without forming an attachment, we should take> care of>> things entrusted to us by Shiva. Our relations, our body, our> name, our>> fame, our health, our near and dear - all are Shiva's property> only. We own>> absolutely NOTHING. We are just His servants and temporary> caretakers. Just>> as a servant who takes care of one room in one palace can later be> moved to>> another room in another palace, our duty may later change to> another body,>> another name, another fame, another set of relations etc. A> servant takes>> excellent care of his king's properties, but does not think of> those things>> as his and doesn't get attached. We should also be that way.>>>> One may wonder what this has to do with pranayama and dhyana. But> such>> detachment and control over mind does help.>>>> Pranayama literally means "disciplining/restraining the pranas".> Pranas are>> not just breathing or air. Prana means the life force. It includes> the mind>> and movement of thought in it. We control breathing so that our> thoughts are>> controlled. But again, if thoughts are not restrained, breathing> is not>> fully restrained. This is also a chicken and egg kind of issue.> Thus, having>> the correct mental attitude, control over mind and restraint over> the>> movement of thoughts helps in a more effective praanaayaama.>>>> Thus, having the correct attitude and cutting down on unnecessary>> attachments IS very conducive to an effective praanaayaama and an> effective>> dhyaana.>>>> Now I have to go.>>>> Best regards,>> Narasimha>> ------------------------->> Homam manual and audio: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam>> Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net>> Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org>> Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org>> ------------------------- Om Namah Shivaaya Amit Puri Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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