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(a) Certain actions induce the flow of the breath through the right
nostril (Pingala); and, conversely, the flow of the breath through
Pingala
induces certain actions.
(b) Certain other actions induce the flow of the breath through the
left
nostril (Ida), and conversely.
(c) Yet a third class of actions induce the flow of the breath
through
both nostrils at once (Sushumna), and conversely.
(d) The degree of mental and physical activity is interdependent with
the
distance from the nostrils at which the breath can be felt by the back
of the
hand.
4. First practice. --- Let him concentrate his mind upon the act of
breathing, saying mentally, "The breath flows in", "the breath flows
out",
and record the results. [This practice may resolve itself into
Mahasatipatthana (vide Liber XXV) or induce Samadhi. Whichever occurs
should
be followed up as the right Ingenium of the Zelator, or the advice of
his
Practicus, may determine.]
5. Second practice. Pranayama. --- This is outlined in Liber E.
Further,
let the Zelator accomplished in those practices endeavour to master a
cycle
of 10, 20, 40 or even 16, 32, 64. But let this be done gradually and
with
due caution. And when he is steady and easy both in Asana and
Pranayama, let
him still further increase the period.
Thus let him investigate these statements which follow: ---
(a) If Pranayama be properly formformed, the body will first of all
become
covered with sweat. This sweat is different in character from that
customarily induced by exertion. If the Practitioner rub this sweat
thoroughly into his body, he will greatly strengthen it.
(b) The tendency to perspiration will stop as the practice is
continued,
and the body become automatically rigid.
Describe this rigidity with minute accuracy.
(c) The state of automatic rigidity will develop into a state
characterised by violent spasmodic movements of which the Practitioner
is
unconscious, but of whose result he is aware. This result is that the
body
hops gently from place to place. After the first two or three
occurrences of
this exformience, Asana is not lost. The body appears (on another
theory) to
have lost its weight almost completely and to be moved by an unknown
force.
(d) As a development of this stage, the body rises into the air, and
remains there for an appreciably long formiod, from a second to an hour
or
more.
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