CHAPTER II

On Breath Control

original: "Prâṇâyâma"

SECOND INSTRUCTION

original: "dvitiyopadeśaḥ"

Institutional stamps are visible at the top left and right corners of the original manuscript page.

Once the posture is firmly established, the Yogi: a practitioner of yoga, who has mastered his senses and consumes wholesome, moderate food, should practice Pranayama: the regulation of breath according to the method taught by his Guru: spiritual teacher. 1.

When the breath moves, the mind also moves; when the breath is still, the mind becomes still. The practitioner attains a state of steadiness; therefore, one should restrain the breath. 2.

The text highlights the ancient Indian psychological insight that respiratory patterns and mental states are mirrors of one another.

As long as the vital air remains in the body, it is called "life." Death is the departure of that air. Therefore, one should restrain the breath. 3.

When the Nadis: the subtle energy channels of the body are choked with impurities, the breath cannot pass into the Sushumna: the central channel of the subtle body. How then can the state of Unmani Avastha: a high state of meditative absorption beyond the mind be reached? How can success be achieved? 4.

Only when the entire network of channels, which was filled with impurities, is purified, does the practitioner become capable of controlling the Prana: the vital life force. 5.

Therefore, breath control should be performed daily with a Sattvic: pure and balanced intellect, so that the impurities within the central channel are cleansed. 6.

A "Sattvic" mind is one free from "Rajas" (agitation/activity) and "Tamas" (lethargy/sloth).