Answer: There are five different things to consider in connection with breath: the far reach of breath, the depth of breath, the volume of breath, the centralizing of breath, and the rhythm of breathing.

If the breath is not far-reaching it causes weakness;
if it is not deep enough it is a cause of weakness too;
if it is not centralized it creates uncertainty in life;
if it has no proper rhythm it causes lack of balance;
if it has no volume it takes away vitality.

Therefore breath must be trained in these five different ways: it must be rhythmic, centralized, deepened, it must reach far, and its volume must be spreading.

Breath must have the quality of covering a large ground. The atmosphere of one person is felt, of another person it is not felt. A person may have so much atmosphere that it may fill a large horizon; it is the breath which gives that atmosphere. Besides, in the atmosphere of some person you may feel uneasy, restless, out of rhythm, because he has no rhythm in his breath, his breathing is not right.

Question: How is rhythmic breathing acquired?

Answer: This is a science in itself. We are far away from a natural life. We have to run after tram-cars and taxicabs, we have to catch our trains; a thousand things like these disturb our rhythm. Do you think that in the East a sage, or an adept who practices meditation will run after a tram-car and spoil his rhythm? All these things disturb the rhythm of breathing. What we think natural is not natural; from morning to evening our life has no rhythm.

Question: Do you recognize a system which includes positive and negative breathing?

Answer: Yes, it is just like the two wires in the electric lamp a negative and a positive one; if one wire is absent there will be no light. In order to have light there must be two currents, and these two currents make positive and negative energy. They have a relation with the rising and setting of the sun: the current of the breath changes. And if it does not change in accordance with the time, if it is not in consonance with the rising and setting of the sun, then either a person is ill, or unbalanced; something is wrong with him.

Question: What means centralizing of breath?

Answer: In music we have many notes, but we call one note the key-note. Really speaking, every note can be a key-note, and there must be a central point for everything. For a plant it is the root which is the center, and for the breath there is a seat in the body. If the breath is properly seated there, it is just like a plant which is well-rooted into the ground and will grow nicely and bear fruit. If the plant is not rooted well there is always a chance of its being destroyed. So in the life of man, if the breath is not centralized in its center, in the seat where it ought to be, then it is doubtful whether the person will live long and be happy.

In the East sages know for six months or a year before their death that their time has come, and they know it from this one secret: they find that their breath no longer centralizes in the place where it ought to centralize. My spiritual teacher told his family a year beforehand that he was to leave the earth. Sages know this, because they practice every day. Therefore breath for them is an object they feel, see and know.

Not every person can feel whether he is breathing from the left or the right nostril, but those who practice know it instantly. There are times when one breathes through one nostril, and there are times when one breathes through two nostrils. Breathing through the two nostrils is a passing moment, and then the breath goes from one nostril to the other; it is a critical moment.

Question: Does the position of the body during sleep control the breath?

Answer: Yes, this also concerns posture. Whichever side you lean or lie upon, every direction towards which you strike with force, all bear upon the rhythm and the direction of the breath. But the subject of breath is a deep one, and it is not only related with health but with the affairs in life.

Question: Can everyone have the power of far-reaching breath?

Answer: A certain condition is necessary for far-reaching breath; it is just like the wireless. Far-reaching breath is the most wonderful thing there is. As far as your breath reaches, so wide is your kingdom.

Question: Do you mean by breath: as far as one can blow? Answer: What we call breath is not all the breath that is there. For instance, what we call voice is only the voice that reaches so far and is not heard any farther. At the same time, on the wireless it travels farther. This shows us that the voice which reaches as far as it is audible to the ears, is limited; in reality it reaches far beyond. And so the breath is far-reaching; if only we experimented with it we would be surprised. Others cannot readily believe it, it should be experienced by ourselves, and we should keep quiet about it. To speak about it will create difficulties. Many disbelieve, or have wrongly experimented; therefore mystics have kept this for the initiated. That is why initiation is given.

Vol. 8, Health and Order of Body and Mind

Breath

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Vol. 8, Health and Order of Body and Mind

Breath

Questions about Breathing