Just Doing
Before enlightenment
chopping wood
carrying water,
After enlightenment
chopping wood
carrying water.
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"No man can reveal to you ought but that which lies half
asleep in the dawning of your knowledge. The teacher who walks in the shadow of
the temple among his followers, gives you not of his wisdom, but rather of
his faith and lovingness. The Prophet Breathing In the Orient breathing is highly regarded as an art form. The essential element in air that carries the vital energy turns out to be neither oxygen, nor nitrogen, nor any other gaseous chemical, but rather the negative ion ! A tiny, highly active molecule fragment that carries a negative electrical charge equivalent to that of one electron. By contrast, pollutants such as dust, smoke and toxic chemicals are borne on the air in the form of large, sluggish polymolecular ions that carry a positive charge. The vitality of negative ions in the air is destroyed by air conditioning, central heating and closed spaces. For a taste of true vitality, try walking barefoot, hatless and lightly clothed in cotton across an open lawn or field while the morning dew is still on it, breathing deeply and rhythmically as you walk. The tissues that assimilate the negative ion energy from the air during breathing are located in the lining of the nasal cavities and sinuses, which is why inhalation must always be through the nose. The capacity of nasal membranes to absorb energy and resist infection is determined by the quality and quantity of nasal mucous, which is largely dependent on diet and excretion. An unbalanced diet full of mucous-forming foods such as starch, sugar and pasteurised dairy products causes the nasal mucous to become thick and heavy. In the nose erectile tissue controls the size, shape and angle of the air passages, thereby regulating air flow through the nasal passages. It is erectile tissue that automatically alternates air between right and left nostrils by alternatively shutting off one side. The alternate blocking of one nostril occurs naturally about every two hours through out the day, it is intimately linked to the mechanisms of the right-brain/left-brain functions. When air flows through the right nostril, the body is geared for action, when air flows through the left nostril, the body is prepared for physically, passive functions. The Diaphragm It is the most powerful muscle in the body! It acts as a perfect force pump, compressing the liver, the spleen, the intestines, and stimulating the whole abdominal and portal circulation. By compressing the lymphatic and blood vessels of the abdomen, the diaphragm aids venous circulation from the abdomen towards the thorax. The number of movements of the diaphragm per minute is a quarter of those of the heart, but its haemo dynamic power is much greater than that of cardiac contractions because the surface of the force pump is much greater and because its propelling power is superior to that of the heart. At first, one feels little effect, but after practicing breathing exercises regularly for 100 days, the benefits can be felt. The method is actually quite simple, but it must be practiced regularly over a period of time in order to realise its deepest benefits. If you try for just 20 days, already your spirit will feel different, the region around your navel will feel warm during practice and your eyes and your complexion will grow bright and lustrous. These benefits are permanent for as long as one continues to practice. Breathing and related exercises are 100 times more effective as therapy than any drug. This knowledge is indispensable to man, and every physician should study it thoroughly. In a relaxed position, sitting, lying or standing visualize
your breath counting for each inhalation and exhalation, each breath must be
even and the retention of the breath to be half. Eg: inhale to a count of 6, retain the breath to a count
of 3 and exhale to the count
of 6. ' Approach yourself with sincerity of heart and soul to strive to feel but not to yield.' |
