Note: For the complete lessons, see the AYP Books.

Lesson 39 - Pranayama – Cultivating the soil of the nervous system

From: Yogani
Date: Wed Dec 10, 2003 0:21pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"


It is common knowledge that when a friend is upset, really upset, it
is good to tell him to breathe, to take slow, deep breaths in and out
for a while. This invariably has a calming effect on the nervous
system, mind, and emotions.

Why? Because it loosens the nerves. Tension constricts our nerves,
and this restricts the flow of consciousness through us. Breathing
slowly and deeply loosens our nerves, facilitating the flow of
consciousness through us, and this has the desired relaxing effect.

To say that consciousness flows through us is a bit of an over-
simplification. While, in truth, all is the flow of consciousness, it
is more descriptive to say that the "life force" flows through us.
What is the life force? It is the first manifestation of
consciousness in matter. It is called, "prana," which means, "first
unit." In the string theory of modern physics, the miniscule,
subatomic energy strings thought to be the building blocks of
everything in the universe might well be analogous to prana. In any
case, we know that influencing prana (the life force) in the human
body has significant effects on our nervous system, and our
experience.

Meditation is a way of influencing prana with the mind taking the
lead. The human mind arises from a flow of energy through the nerves
of the brain. In meditation, we systematically allow that energy
(prana) to become still, which brings us to the underlying cause of
that energy. We experience it as pure silent bliss consciousness. In
meditation, the attention is easily brought beyond the mind, and
beyond prana. It is an extraordinary natural ability we have.

Besides meditation, there are other ways to influence prana to
facilitate the purification of the nervous system for joining of our
inner and outer nature. As mentioned, managing the breath can have a
noticeable effect on our experience. By restraining the breath in
certain ways we can produce certain predictable effects. This is the
science of "pranayama," which means, "restraint of prana." In terms
of what we do externally, it is called breath control. But there is
more to pranayama than physical control of the breath. Other actions
are brought to bear that deepen and broaden the effects of the
breath. The mind is involved, and so is the body in ways other than
by controlling the breath. Taken together, these actions loosen and
cultivate the nervous system in ways that greatly enhance the effects
of our core practice of meditation.

Think of the nervous system as the soil, and of pure bliss
consciousness as the seed. We have been awakening the silent seed
through regular daily meditation. Now we will be cultivating the soil
of our nervous system so the seed of pure bliss consciousness will
grow to be dynamic and strong in us.

How does the breath affect the flow of prana in the body? There is an
electromagnetic relationship in the body between the breath, the
mind, the flow of prana, and every aspect of our biological
functioning. All of these are connected. This is why, when we
meditate, the breath is automatically subdued and the whole
metabolism slows down. During pranayama, when we consciously slow
down the breath and mentally take it along a particular pathway, we
influence the flow of prana in that pathway. It is a kind of
induction. It is like inducing an electrical current in a wire with a
magnet. So, using the breath in coordination with the mind, we are
able to engage in selective purification of a particular channel in
our nervous system that plays a leading role in the rise of
enlightenment. This channel is the tiny thread-like nerve that runs
up inside the spine and through the brain. It is called
the "sushumna." Purifying and opening this nerve is where pranayama
and additional advanced yoga practices will be focused.

We will begin with a breathing technique to be done right before each
meditation session. As we become comfortable with it we will add on
new elements, step by step, that will greatly increase the power of
our practice.

The guru is in you.

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