AshtOttharams: Why the number 108in Archanais ? The pranayaama aspect

[Guest guest]

Respected Sir:

 

This is in response to your query on Pranayama in your enclosed mail in

relation to the KathOupanasid text.

 

Some months back one of the lady member of this group had enquired about

Pranaayama. This writer had made a posting. Extracts from the response are

being reproduced below for your consideration. Pranayama has got nothing to

do with the attainment mentioned in your mail, and related concepts

directly. At best it is an aid, a tool and nothing more in our spiritual

practices.

 

There was a sage who got a glimpse of the Divine Feet when he got tired of

even his own prana. and was ready to give up Pranayama too

 

................2. Pranayama may not be generally practiced without adequate

prior learning from a good, reliable guru

3, One has to become aware, become conscious of one's breathing and then

proceed very very very very

cautiously and slowly. No haste in pranayama

4.May be practiced any convenient timing, but mental state should not be

disturbed - eg. during the monthly 3 /4 days when there are changes

taking place or during menopause when homonal changes happen when emotional

states are quite volatile, disturbed and unclear.

5. Preferable to do after asanas. Logically pranayama falls after asana

anyway as per the Orthodox Patanjali Sutras

6. This implies (from 5 above) that simple asanas may be practiced,

attempted with the help of a good reliable guru The asana will enable

one to get mastery over the body, muscles, physical structure etc. and then

you may proceed for Pranayama. Rather than master, the correct word would

be beyond-normal understanding beyond-casual understanding of the body

/functions. For example we may not be generally aware of the circulation

patten in our hands/arms/shoulders. Simply stand straight and slowly very

very slowly ......... fixing your gaze straight at a point without

wavering, mentally being aware slowly as you try to move your arms, you

will immediately feel ........then experience the circulation. The whole

thing takes maybe 17 minutes or so. but when you try then you become aware

of minutes things in your hand, shoulders etc. which normally you may not

have bothered or cared for and over which you are very casual in general.

 

In the same way getting an experience and knowing each part of the body has

to be done before pranayama is attempted. This process will train your mind

to be more alert to subtle changes, subtle differences etc. and this will

greatly ease your pranayama.

 

Similarly, you can just focus on your breathing also As you practice and

progress you will notice that the mind automaticaly calms and settles down

like a rock dropped into the lake. Thoughts will tend to sink literally.

 

All these preliminary things will help you in your practices of pranayama.

 

7. The other important point is pranayama once undertaken may not be the

end in itself. Done diligently it will bring in more insights into various

things, topics etc. Your sense of awareness will sharpen. The other

practices like Pratyahara ........Dhyana stage which is single pointed

focus.

 

8.Coming specifically to your case, in case you are interested although

pranayama cannot really be taught over email or without direct personal

interaction. Other additional factors to be borne in mind:

 

f. external environmental factors like place of work, study, stay - is it

in natural surroundings or otherwise. Example, a person in Brazil wrote

saying that his house is close to a slum area with factories, industries

nearby whereby he was subject to constant pollution and noise. Similarly

there are some whose job involves more than 12 hours of continuous work

with computers in airconditioned rooms. They are habituated to frequent

cups of coffee etc.........pranayamma requirements, ratios are different

for each case....

g. sleep levels i.e. whether you get normal sleep, dreams ?

h. timing of dinner, sleep, morning waking up; habits, tendencies i.e.level

of activity i.e by nature whether you are active person or a sluggish

person. There are basically 3 tendencies Satva, Tamas and Rajas -...... So

the basic personality trait is essential to be understood.

i. if females, whether undergone deliveries, if yes whether normal or

ceaserian?

j. any other relevant information. Example a lady in Chennai after her

husband's sudden demise had to look after her mother-in-law who was very

old and invalid/bedridden. Suddenly coupled with her career, her personal

problem without any assistance her whole life style took a different turn.

She undertook pranayama directly under some 'class' without giving any

background on the assumption that pranayama,yoga will work wonders and help

her cope with the problem. Her assumption may not have been wrong, but the

process, way to go about was quite abrupt and thus resulted in bringing up

more emotional problems. Had her state, present set of problems etc.been

taken into account before start of practices, then a different approach

could have been structured to gradually progress.

 

To come to your specific queries.

 

Regarding Pranayama, DO NOT STUDY AND LEARN FROM BOOKS, VCD, VIDEO,

CASSETTE ETC.

 

Check out whether you have a family priest. Learn from him. Alternatively,

identify a good temple nearby and find out orthodox visitors or people who

are elderly and who seem/appear to have some spiritual inclination. They

too can teach. Learning is only through the time-tested ancient Vedic

method of Sharavanam and Manannam

 

PRANAYAMA IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST OFFERING ........... Do not bother about

Yogic methods. Right now learn to do the whole thing

regularly...............Do not attempt ratios and holding breath etc.

 

In these matters you must adopt the concept of Bhavana - simplistically

put, meaning pretention. Your entire mental faculties must be focussed on a

single point of saying the prayers correctly. The external, physical

ritual is of little importance. Ensure that your thoughts are not on your

office, career, family problems, sickness of near/dear, or some worry on

children's exam marks, an upcoming meeting etc. Just isolate yourself

mentally and concentrate on ...................

 

The attitude is critical......Do not attempt things with breathing without

learning from a qualified person and practicing for long. Pranayama is full

of benefits and also full of pitfalls.

 

You may also consult your elders if you so feel.

 

Om tat Sat

Tat tvam asi

 

Ramanan

Rajagopalan "Sadagopan"

<Oppiliappan>

<sriethiraja@ure cc:

ach.com> Re:

AshtOttharams: Why the number

108in Archanais ?

09/07/04 08:45

AM

Please respond

to Oppiliappan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear mama,

 

Pranams!

 

The insight on the significance of 108 from KathOpanishad talks

about 7 steps of yogic realization. Does this phenomenon anyway

relates to the elavation of soul from earth to 7 lokas above it?

If so, is prAnAyAmam the way to achieve that?

 

Thanks,

 

Respectfully,

Ramanan