Month: June 2016

While breath is the main conduit of Prana into your body, your Higher Self is who guides this vital force to areas in need of balance. It is a natural process of homeostasis in the body that is constantly hindered by the conditioned mind. We are usually disconnected from that inner wisdom by the incessant chatter of our thoughts. In order to reestablish that connection requires a continuous yet effortless awareness, the kind that happens only in the present moment when the mind is disengaged from past or future. This is the great value of meditation.

Stepping into effortless awareness is the key to enlightenment. According to Rasha in The Calling, “It takes concentrated focus to maintain oneself in the present moment and give full attention to the matter at hand, while remaining alert and aware of everything else going on around you. But this is the objective to be achieved”

As the silent observer of the Self you do not engage in any kind of resistance or attachment.  You perceive that absolutely no effort is required on your part to come into balance.

In healing yoga it involves moving into a ‘steady and comfortable posture’ – the true meaning of the Sanskrit “asana”. As you follow the flow of energy in your physical body you bring awareness to sensations, messengers from  the mental and emotional bodies.

When you project your attention on a sensation in your body, and allow the mind to be focused on the object of your attention, your being begins to come into balance. The trappings of the restless mind melt away. Releases happen on every level as energy begins to flow freely. Each asana initiates a new release. As thoughts and feelings begin to surface, attention must remain on the physical sensation that is in the forward of your awareness. Make note of the thoughts, images or emotions, then let them go. Follow that sensation, explore it with your breath, noticing the details, staying fully focused on that which you feel the most. This is a very thin edge between discomfort and pain. By focusing on that physical sensation you prevent the Ego from stepping in and deciding where it is that you’re going to go. It is a very fine tuning of the senses. It is merging into the flow of energy.

Whether in yoga or any other activity of focused attention on the present moment, there is no effort in maintaining this mediative state. It is the place of the observer where your brain is functioning in delta and theta waves and time comes to a standstill.

The Higher Self is wise and all knowing. It is the connection with universal consciousness where there is no duality. Where there is no bad or good; no attachment to outcome; no judgment of self or others; no anticipation nor expectations. It is the place of remembering who I am and what I want.

Knowing these answers releases a creative flow of energy and the universe provides.  This flow is accompanied by deep contentment, which is neither desiring nor resisting anything, simply being with what is.

Here is the realization of Sat, Chit, Ananda, the sanskrit description of the subjective experience of ultimate being.

Existence, Consciousness, Bliss.

This “Kingdom of Heaven” of expanded awareness is the source of creativity, inspiration, insight. Here we begin to flow with life.

As per Deepak Chopra –

“We move through our days lighthearted and carefree knowing all is well.”

Start out your day right  here….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSNpGyG2jSw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Breath is the fuel of life.

The oxygen that enters the lungs nourishes the Sympathetic system of the body which controls involuntary processes like respiration, circulation and digestion. This network is composed of a chain of ganglia located on the outside of the spinal canal as well as delicate nerve fibers that connect them throughout the body. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide ensures the functioning of the system, nourishing and purifying the body.

Breath is also the main conduit of Prana, Chi, Vital Force, the stimulating energy of the Parasympathetic system. This complex which directs volition and sensation is composed of the brain, the spinal cord and the nerves that run from it like wires carrying electric impulses to all parts of the body. Prana fuels the nerve connections and synapses creating vitality. Without it there is no life.

Its excess is stored in the solar plexus. From here energy can radiate to all areas of the body sending strength and stamina by means of the nerves. It is the core center. Nowadays the solar plexus is recognized as an “abdominal brain” for it is made up of grey and white brain matter. It is located at the back of the “pit of the stomach” and is the great central storehouse of Prana. A severe blow to this region can instantly kill. It is also the seat of our gut  feeling.

Proper breathing is done through the nose. Here there is an intricate system of filters which purify the breath before it enters the lungs. The fine hairs inside the nostrils trap dust and other foreign particles which upon exhale are expelled with the breath. The nostrils also warm the air inhaled so that it does not damage the delicate lining of the lungs.

Yogic Complete Breath is the guiding breath of asana practice. In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras of which there are 900 or so, there are only three references to postures. One of them specifically addresses the importance of breath when moving into a pose.

The Complete Breath begins in the abdominal area when the diaphragm contracts gently massaging the liver, stomach and other organs while expanding the abdominal cavity and allowing the larger bottom part of the lungs to fill up. It then travels up into the middle chest aided by the intercostal muscles, moving into the upper chest under the collarbones. After a short and natural pause it empties from the top to the bottom. When the air is completely exhaled, the chest and the abdomen relax and the diaphragm naturally contracts once again. It is a steady, continuous flow of breath that expands the chest cavity in all directions, activating all parts of the respiratory system. With practice it becomes automatic, one breath succeeding another in perfect rhythm, yet effortless.

Awareness of breath is the path to stillness. Pranayama, or breath control, is one of the eight limbs of yoga. It leads to concentration, meditation and ultimately Samadhi, that state of pure consciousness also known as enlightenment.

While without breath there is no life, correct breathing is essential for continued vitality and freedom from disease.

 

In The Science of Breath Swami Rama and two noted American physicians explore the science of breath as the missing key to both physical health and the attainment of higher states of consciousness.

http://holybooks.lichtenbergpress.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Science-of-Breath.pdf?3d3550