THE CONTROL OF PSYCHIC PRANA 49

The first lesson is just to breathe in a measured way, in

and out. That will harmonise the system. When you have
practices this for some time you will do well to join the
repetition of some word to it, as “Om,” or any other sacred
word, and let the word flow in and out with the breath,
rhythmically, harmoniously, and you will feel the whole
body is become rhythmical. Then you will learn what rest is.
Sleep is not rest, comparatively. Once this rest has come the
most tired nerves will be calmed down, and you will find
that you have never really rested. In India we use certain
symbolical words instead one, two, three, four. That is why I
advise you to join the mental repetition of the “Om,” or other
sacred word to the Pranayama.
The first effect of this practice will be that the face will
change; harsh lines will disappear; with this calm though
calmness will come over the face. Next, beautiful voice will
come. I never saw a Yogi with a croaking voice. These
sighns will come after a few months’ pracitce. After
practising this first breathing for a few days, you take up a
higher one. Slowly fill the lungs with breath through the
Ida, the left nostril, and at the same time concentrate the
mind on the nerve current. You are, as it were, sending the
nerve current down the spinal column, and striking violently
on that last plexus, the basic lotus, which is triangular in
form, the seat of the Kundalini. Then hold the current there
for some time. Imagine that you are slowly drawing that
nerve current with the breath through the other side, then
slowly throw it out through the right nostril. This you will
find a little difficult to practice. The easiest way is to stop
the right nostril with the thumb, and then slowly draw in the
breath through the left; then close both nostrils with thumb
and forefinger, and imagine that you are sending that current
down, and striking the base of the Susumna; then take the
50 RAJA YOGA

thumb off, and let the breath out through the right nostril.
Next inhale slowly though that nostril, keeping the other
closed by the forefinger, then close both, as before. The way
the Hindus practice this would be very difficult for this
country, because they do it from their childhood, and their
lungs are prepared for it. Here it is well to being with four
seconds, and slowly increase. Draw in four seconds, hold in
sixteen seconds, then throw out in eight seconds. This
makes one Pranayama. At the same time think of the
triangle, concentrate the mind on that centre. The
imagination can help you a great deal. The next breathing is
slowly drawing the breath in, and then immediately throwing
it out slowly, and then stopping the breath out, using the
same numbers. The only difference is that in the first case
the breath was held in, and in the second, held out. The last
is the easier one. The breathing in which you hold the breath
in the lungs must not be practised too much. Do it only four
times in the morning, and four times in the evening. Then
you can slowly increase the time and number. You will find
that you have the power to do so, and that you take pleasure
in it. So, very carefully and cautiously increase as you feel
that you have the power, to six instead of four. It may injure
you if you practice it irregularly.
Of the three processes, the purification of the nerves, the
retaining the breath inside and keeping the breath outside,
the first and the last are neither difficult nor dangerous. The
more you practice the first one the calmer you will be. Just
think of “Om,” and you can practice even while you are
sitting at your work. You will be all the the better for it.
One day, if you practise hard the Kundalini will be aroused.
For those who practice once or twice a day, just a little
calmness of the body and mind will come, and beautiful
voice; only for those who can go on further with it will this