The Power of Breath

After all fails us we always have to fall back upon rhythmic breathing. Sluggish circulation of the blood has most to do with our organic disorders. Where the usual remedies fail us or prove ineffective, it will be found that attention to breathing will assist in the rousing and stirring of organic operations. True, attention needs to be paid to the position of the body. In a sitting posture we must sit so as to be en leisure, absolutely relaxed, with chest thrown up. Do not drop chest and do not drop the abdomen, but rather draw it in at the diaphragmatical region.

To derive immediate results from an exercise it is necessary to relax to the utmost and never force matters. The shoulders must droop while inhaling and chest must rise, never drop. It is the abdomen that has to be drawn in toward the solar plexus.

Breathe out, breathe out all you possibly can. Count to twelve and more before inhaling. Inhale for four seconds; exhale for twelve and more, increasing the length of exhalation.

When tired, sing a simple song, and sing it on the breath; then take the breathing exercise again. After a little practice it will come to you intuitively or inspirationally what bodily exercises to take with your breathing exercises; what stretching, pulling, kneeding, massaging to add to it. Before you realize it you will have a system all your own, an individualistic system of health exercises.

In the severest cases rhythmic breathing and singing on the breath will go a long ways in assuring us of greater comfort, ease of mind and finding happiness even tho we linger here on earth. The more we relax, physically, and resign mentally, the greater are the results.

Most of us are apt to forget the power that lies in breath, breathing, and the potential powers contained within the air currents rushing upon us.

To the extent we are attuned to the air currents, the lungs convert the chemical compounds and charge the circulatory, nervous, as well as glandular cells leading to a better understanding.

May 25, 1931.

Yima Exercise

When physically depleted and you feel sick, heed the following counsel and give the instructions a thoro test.

  1. Adjust the position of the body to assure ease.
  2. Throw your chest up high; keep the chest wall in place while the muscles of the body relax.
  3. Set the tip of the tongue against the lower set of teeth; relax and do not move a muscle of the face.
  4. Steady your eyes upon a given point level with your eyes, and dismiss every idea from your mind.
  5. Empty your lungs slowly, with body relaxing. Keep exhaling gently, slowly but persistently. Breathe out to the utmost and until it seems you cannot possibly breathe out any more.
  6. That point of absolute exhalation reached, arrest all action, counting mentally to ten, to twenty and to thirty, still relaxing.
  7. When impossible to remain within a state of arrestment, attend to the relaxing of every part of the body.
  8. Now inhale, but do so with a sob and let go of every part but the chest, which must remain sound, like a wall.
  9. And now exhale again, as before; slowly, gently, persistently, until it seems you can not possibly exhale any more.
  10. Again arrest all action for ten, twenty or thirty seconds, or more, before you dare inhale.
  11. Repeat this exercise three to five times in succession.

This exercise, repeated every three hours during the waking state, will change the gravity of the blood to normality within twenty days and, continued for thirty-three days, eradicates eruptions due to poor circulation. To check pulmonary troubles, forty-nine days will suffice, while infectious troubles are arrested after seventy-two days of diligent, religious practice, exhaling with parted lips the prayer formula of "Restoration." Fibroids, cancers, tuberculosis are relieved by attending to a Raw Food diet at the same time.

Airyama Exercise

When mentally depressed, heart and soul wounded, suffering reverses or on the verge of nervous collapse; let go of the things that cause sorrow, and immediately resort to this exercise:

  1. Adjust body into a comfortable position, whether sitting, working, standing or walking.
  2. Throw out your chest to the highest point possible and keep the chest wall right there, allowing no muscular movements. Any movement that may occur will have to be confined to abdomen or solar plexus.
  3. Relax every part of the body.
  4. Set tongue firmly against lower set of teeth.
  5. Empty the lungs and now inhale slowly, gently, persistently, and until it seems you cannot possibly inhale any more.
  6. This point of absolute inhalation reached, arrest all further lung action.
  7. Retain the breath while counting mentally up to twenty, thirty, or more.
  8. Keep relaxed.
  9. Now exhale with sighs, at intervals.
  10. When thru emptying the lungs, again inhale as before, and inhale to the highest possible point.
  11. Arrest again after the inhalation, and count mentally as before if possible for a little longer, then twenty, thirty, forty, etc.
  12. And again exhale while sighing.
  13. Repeat this exercise three to five times.

This exercise, taken first thing in the morning and again upon retiring, will aid greatly in mind and heart culture. Used in connection with the Prayer Formula, "Realization," repeated every morning and night, will arrest insomnia, somnambulism, nervousness, sleepy disease, hallucination, obsession, restlessness, bad omens, brain storms, and other mental disturbances. In addition, change diet frequently, take short fasts or hunger cure. Fruit and milk diet, according to temperament, is highly recommended.

Exhaustion

Exhaustion is a term used to denote that we have reached the limit. That state is applicable to our physical and mental state, as well as in business pursuits. When we have exhausted our resources then we are bankrupt. When we have exhausted our strength we are weak, decrepit, sick. When we have exhausted our thinking capacity we are void of any plans, schemes, ideas. We are up against it. Once we are down and out we are simply exhausted, and something has to turn up to give us a boost, a lift, a start. Most of us do not know what to do, and we let go of things; even lose hold on ourselves. We begin to drift. Once we drift we run the risk of getting into an eddy of entangled nets from which there is no escape. Still, "where there is a will, there is a way" if we but arouse ourselves; if we but determine.

"Breathe out; breathe out;" calls to us an old sage who went through the mill. "Breathe out;" empty the lungs to the utmost and arrest all breath operations for thirty seconds, before taking another inhaling breath. Immediately after the inhalation breathe out again to the utmost and arrest all operations for another thirty seconds. Keep it up for three to five times so as to get hold of this physical self. Thereafter reverse the operations: inhale as long as possible, yet without any visible tension. Inhale, and for thirty seconds retain', hold to that current inhaled. Do not let go of it. Raise the chest higher. Set the chest firmer. Arouse a feeling akin to that of Jacob: "I leave thee not - unless thou blessest me!" NOW exhale with a sigh; and again inhale and inhale. Again arrest for thirty seconds; retain the inhaled current; exhale with a sigh. Keep it up for three to five times, and begin over again with the former exercise of arrestment after the exhalation.

Rest for a while; give no thought to one thing, or another; divert your mind from the objective; let the eyes look at things, but do not offer an opinion; let the ears hear things, still, give it no thought. When the mind learns to turn a blank page the spirit is enabled to write a message, and have it read to you in an unmistakable language, revealing the step for you to take that leads you into channels of renewed success.

On the Breath

To speak, sing or pray, on the Breath, means to concentrate on the breath while using one's vocal cords. It is quite important not only to pay attention to inhalation but to also consider exhalation; in fact more so, as in daily exhalation we more readily relax and that relaxation, to be of value, must be positive relaxation, in other words, be conscious of the fact that though relaxing we are positive as to position and bearing of the body. We tighten the muscles and yet retain one's poise and ease. We relax muscles and still remain the governing factor, directing them at will. Owing to the many demands made upon us we only too frequently tense without being conscious of it. As the strain grows upon us we grow tired and nervous. To avoid tension and prevent nervous strain we should remind ourselves of the necessity of exhaling to utmost every two hours at least. It is not necessary that we sit down; we can take a thorough exhalation exercise in whichever position we happen to be in. The main thing is to be conscious of a military attitude: Chest up and out, abdomen drawn in, with muscles raised toward the solar plexus; head erect, chin up and eyes steady. Now empty the lungs as much as thirty, then for forty and more seconds. Do not force; do not tense. The more you exhale the more you are to relax. Put your mind upon the muscular parts of the body, internally as well as externally. To whisper an aphorism or a prayer, the strophe of a song or reciting some inspiring sayings, it will aid us greatly in concentration and help in positive relaxation.

Exhaling to the fullest extent of one's capacity strengthens the organic muscles, tempers the sinews and invigorates the ligaments. Do all your work with consciousness of the power of breath.

When taking a walk, especially mornings, make it a habit to time your exhalations. But whatever you do, remember never to force as all forcing means tension and every tension enervates.

Upon retiring at night, be sure to time your exhalation and follow the current of breath, dismissing all else from your mind. Allow no suggestion to enter your thoughts. Keep your mind upon exhalation. Do it now. Do it night upon night and note the improvement in health of body and power of mind.

Rhythmic Breathing

Rhythmic breathing leads to tranquillity of the mind which insures a control over the brain functions. Our brain action, when harmonious with the promptings of the soul, will express ideas which insure a better understanding in our relations toward manifestation and lead us into paths wholesome to our physical being. We then shall be able to listen to the still, small voice from out of the realms of consciousness, manifesting through the sense of intuition revealing to our being the requisites toward sustenance of a happy existence, as the foods partaken of denote the condition of our organic being, or the position of mind and soul.

It is well to note that whatever may be our bodily affliction, there is mainly but one disease, therefore, dis-ease. Mental depression can exist only when there is an organic derangement, the latter being possible only where there is insufficient intelligence for functional action. The normal action of the bodily organs depends for its supply upon the generation of electric fluids through the ganglionic vibrations of the nervous system, and that can be assured only by a normal circulation of the blood, of which the latter necessitates perfect breath capacity.

The abstinence from animal foods alone will not assure us of the enjoyments of perfect health. We are to learn that vegetation of the greatest concentrated elements would be the most appropriate for man's use. Wheat ranks the foremost in concentrated food values. One cupful of wheat soaked overnight, divided to make two meals, with double the quantity of fruit and two tablespoons of oil, will keep the average person in good health, strength and vitality. One day of fast out of a week will insure better action of the organic functions. To form greater salivary action conducive to digestion and assimilation, all one needs to do is to take a thorough breathing exercise before partaking of meals, and observe this rule when breathing: To keep head erect, mouth closed, teeth separated, tongue resting at lower part of mouth, chest high, shoulders drooping and spinal column erect.

The world is awakening to a better realization. Now that the spirit of the times demands greater brain action, it necessitates on our part the direction of the same into more diversified channels. To meet the requirements of time we find that the mind, although ever so active, must have a suitable instrument, otherwise all our achievements will result in failure. There has never been a doubt but that our ideas are the outcome of vibrations resulting from the kind of food we have partaken of, as well as our relation to the elements we breathe. It is important for us to learn that the food we eat is to furnish the necessary elements for the continuation of the material cell which is obtainable from the grains only, as they are a concentration of the dual forces in nature, soil substance and light vibration. In gaining health, as well as in retaining it by living upon grain, keeping up the eliminating action by additional use of fruits, with oils to encourage muscular activity, we would have little trouble in remaining harmonious with the conditions and requirements of time.

The less we cook our foods, the smaller is the quantity required. The less waste of the food, the less organic action in this particular direction would be required, and the continued action could be directed toward the concentration of energies that form the intelligence. Because there is plenty upon the earth does not necessitate wastefulness on our part, nor are we expected to use the things before us because of their presence. We sometimes hear people say that they are boarding, and for this reason they cannot follow a diet nor fast, as they have to pay for their board. We are not compelled to board where we cannot prepare foods ourselves; it will be best to learn to live on foods which need little preparation, and if we have a will to do so, we can find a way to live a better and more enjoyable life. We can make it a point not only to eat a little at a time, but to eat not more than twice a day. Fleshy people should not eat heavy breakfasts, and only drink as little as possible; while lean people will find it best to eat a late breakfast and an early dinner. All solids should be masticated thoroughly, until tasteless; all liquids should be drawn between the teeth and turned in the mouth several times before being swallowed. Keeping the mind upon the work before one, entertaining ideas of the highest possible nature pertaining to food values, mastication, and assimilation, we shall find that one-half of the regular ration to which we are accustomed, will satisfy us, gradually decreasing the quantity until the least morsel will furnish all the material required for soil substance by our organic system for the perpetuation of cell formation. Following a diet with rhythmic breathing for six, nine or more weeks, will bring a gradual change for the better, not only in our physical health, but also a clarity to the brain cells.

Health and Breath Culture - First Reading

PRELIMINARY - FIRST READING

As we are existing in a sense world, depending upon the condition of the senses for our knowledge of the objective, it is perfectly proper that we exercise the power of our senses to the degree most beneficial for our welfare. And it is here on this sense plane that we find that if one or more of our senses are defective in any degree in the execution of their various offices, we lack the comprehension of things dependent upon them. It is very important, for this reason, that we correct all such defects, and it lies within our power to do so.

We hold that man has twelve senses, seven of which—Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting, Touching, Feeling, and Intuition—are commonly known. The five intermediate senses —Transmission of Ideas, Telepathy, Spiritual Discernment, Clear-sight, and Realization—are less known, although we often come in contact with same one who enjoys the development, to a certain degree, of one or more of these higher senses, which we sometimes mistake for an extraordinary or supernatural gift, when in reality it is only the cropping out of a sense yet little understood. The perfection of a being, or its instrument, necessarily depends upon the degree of the evolution of the twelve senses. The development thereof depends directly upon,

  • The accumulation of-Ga-Llama, the centralizing life principle.
  • The capacity or power of Breath.
  • The generation of electric force through the expanded action of the ganglia of the nervous system.
  • The regulation of the circulation of the blood through the perfect action of the lungs.
  • The rhythmical distribution of the blood throughout the body by the heart.
  • The equalized development of the brain cells.
  • The awakening of thought power through the shusumna, or the spinal cord.
  • The expansion of magnetic circles through the vibratory actions of the sympathetic nerve centers or kundalini.
  • The perfect assimilation of food after thorough digestion.
  • The purification of the body through its own action.
  • The generation of life fluids through the life-preserving functions.
  • The conservation of energies, and the consciousness of the ALL in existence.

While taking into consideration all the important points regarding this sublime and wonderful study of the Breath, we shall also take up means whereby we can be aided in the establishment of perfect conditions in our bodily functions so as to enjoy life to its fullest extent. Every system has its methods for enabling its adherents to gain the greatest possible results, and in the Mazdaznan Philosophy we are taught certain postures as a means to an end. These rules and regulations are not the productions of modern times, and so do not necessitate experiment. They have been tested and tried in all ages, by kindred peoples, under various conditions, in all zones, and have proved by their results all for which they are intended. These exercises are a means to an end, the same as the knife and fork we use when partaking of our food. Breathings, and the positions in which we take them, serve as a means of gaining bliss unutterable. He who already enjoys a certain degree of light gets more light, and he who lacks knowledge comes to an understanding of the truth.

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