To: K-list
Recieved: 1999/10/15 01:56
Subject: [K-list] Beware of breathing
From: Mhortling
On 1999/10/15 01:56, Mhortling posted thus to the K-list:
<<I would assume mantras work in the same way as pranayama. While pranayama
messes with the respiratory areas of the brain, creating a "chain
reaction" of some sort, mantras mess with the areas of brain associated
with hearing & speaking (and also concepts of sound). At least that would
be the only realistic way to justify "personal" mantras, or some mantras
being better than others. Apart from financial realities, of course.>>
<<I also think that mantras
are more "dangerous" than non-mantra methods. Mantras go to the same
basket as pranayama also for this reason. "Don't try unless you are
absolutely sure"-basket.>>
I wouldn't quite put mantra practice and pranayama into the same category of
spiritual techniques. In my experience and many spiritually knowledgeable
yogis seem to look at it this way too, it's true, pranayama really is
difficult and can be potentially harmful to the body.
On a purely physiological level it messes with the cardiac and respiratory
systems, the blood vessels are affected and the chemical composition and
balance of the blood is altered. All this can lead to a myriad of problems
ranging from dilated cardiac valves to cramps in the central nervous systems
and hallucinations.
The yogic theory behind pranayama states that it's possible to awaken the
kundalini by fusing the body's upward going energy (prana) with the downward
moving energy (apana) through breath control. This creates a kind of
igniting effect in the root chakra and makes the kundalini shakti move. If
then, through more breath control and purification, the minor energy pathways
in the body are clear, kundalini can rise through the central spinal channel
and reach her destination at the top of the head.
Beside the possibly harmful bodily side effects of this method, it seems too
manipulative and ego-centered to me, i.e. there's too much controlling and
forceful rearrangement of bodily functions and too little abandon. What seems
to work best (for me at least) within the kundalini process, is to try to
smooth the way for the energy as far as possible and then to let go and say :
OK Ma, this whole life, body and mind is made out of YOURSELF and you're the
boss - do whatever needs to be done, you as cosmic intelligence and lifeforce
know best...
(This sounds very lofty and spiritual now, doesn't it - in practice however
it's often not so easy and frequently seems to be coupled with a lot of agony
and despair...)
Hatha-yoga (including a little bit of light and CAREFUL pranayama) are good
for smoothing the way, and I would rather put mantras into this category as
well than into the "Dangerous"-box. However it's necessary to have at least
some knowledge of what one is doing - otherwise it's so very easy to fall on
one's nose.
I'm a fine example of someone who's had to learn about some elementary
things the hard way...
Michael
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