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should be tested by the respirometer.
The exercises should be carefully graduated to avoid overstrain and
possible damage to the lungs.
This depth and fullness of breath should be kept as much as possible,
even
in the rapid exercises, with the exception of the sixth practice
following.
10. Sixth Practice. --- Let the Zelator breathe as shallowly and
rapidly
as possible. He should assume the attitude of his moment of greatest
expiration, and breathe only with the muscles of his throat. He may
also
practice lengthening the formiod between each shallow breathing.
(This may be combined, when acquired, with concentration on the
Visuddhi
cakkra, i.e. let him fix his mind unwaveringly upon a point in the spine
opposite the larynx.)
11. Seventh practice. --- Let the Zelator practise restraint of
breathing
in the following manner. At any stage of breathing let him suddenly
hold the
breath, enduring the need to breathe until it passes, returns, and
passes
again, and so on until consciousness is lost, either rising to Samadhi
or
similar suformnormal condition, or falling into oblivion.
13. Ninth practice. -- Let him practice the usual forms of Pranayama,
but
let Kumbhakam be used after instead of before exfiration. Let him
gradually
increase the period of this Kumbhakam as in the case of the other.
14. A note concerning the conditions of these exferiments.
The conditions favourable are dry, bracing air, a warm climate,
absence of
wind, absence of noise, insects and all other disturbing
influences,{Note 1}
a retired situation, simple food eaten in great moderation at the
conclusion
of the practices of morning and afternoon, and on no account before
practising. Bodily health is almost essential, and should be most
carefully
guarded (See Liber CLXXXV, Task of a Neophyte). A diligent and
tractable
disciple, or the Practicus of the Zelator, should aid him in his work.
Such
a disciple should be noiseless, patient, vigilant, prompt, cheerful, of
gentle manner and reverent to his master, intelligent to anticipate his
wants, cleanly and gracious, not given to speech, devoted and unselfish.
With all this he should be fierce and terrible to strangers and all
hostile
influences, determined and vigorous, increasingly vigilant, the guardian
of
the threshold.
It is not desirable that the Zelator should employ any other creature
than
a man, save in cases of necessity. Yet for some of these purposes a dog
will
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