Gems From Bhagavan

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Control of breath (pranayama) may be internal or external. The internal is

as follows: NAHAM (the idea I am not the body) is rechaka (exhalation),

KOHAM (Who am I?) is puraka (inhalation), SOHAM (I am He) is kumbhaka

(retention of breath). Doing this the breath becomes automatically

controlled. External pranayama is for one not endowed with the strength to

control the mind. There is no way so sure as control of mind. Pranayama

need not be exactly as prescribed in hatha yoga. If engaged in japa, dhyana

(meditation), bhakti, etc., just a little control of breath will suffice to

control the mind. The mind is the rider and breath is the horse. Pranayama

is a check on the horse. By that check the rider is checked. Pranayama may

be done just a little. To watch the breath is one way of doing it. The

mind is drawn away from other activities by being engaged in watching the

breath. That controls the breath, and the mind in its turn is also

controlled. If rechaka and puraka are found difficult to practice,

retention of breath alone for a short while may be practised while in japa,

dhyana, etc. That too will yield good results.

 

(Gems from Bhagavan, selected by A. Devaraja Mudaliar)