Liber E-Pranayama
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Every once in a while I am tempted to ask whether or not some results are normal, as though it matters. Sometimes the temptation is too great:
For the past month or so whenever I practice Pranayama, an overwhelming sensation of peace and serenity washes over me during inhalation, in as few as two cycles. The words "peace" and "serenity," because of their meanings, do not seem powerful enough here. It is like being hit over the head with a large brick of peace and serenity. It's kind of neat, but I'm a little reticent because it feels a lot like I'm getting high.
So, for those who are experienced with these things, is this a stumbling block destined to distract, or a nice little bonus of the practice?
Just FYI background, I'm doing 17/17/17. I sweat a little (but I live in the desert), no rigidity, no other obvious effects.
Love is the law, love under will.
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I got the best results from pranayama when not seeking to impose a rhythm on my lungs. In the early 1980s I preceded pranayama with 25 or 30 minutes of hatha postures, and practised anuloma viloma - alternate nostril breathing with retention - for about 20 minutes after that. It's best to start out allowing the lungs and heart to dictate the rhythm of the breath, and move towards a desired ratio slowly - let it emerge. I also got away from the stopwatch or seconds-hand approach, and instead followed my heartbeat.
I would recommend the use of hatha postures on the basis of my own experiences. There is also the point that jalandrabandha or chin-lock is recommended with all but short retentions. This is easier when such postures as the plough or shoulder-stand have imparted some suppleness to the neck vertebrae.
When pursued with caution and ease, pranayama is a wonderful exercise, yielding serenity, poise, and a wondrous translucence to awareness.
Best wishes,
Michael.
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When I first started practicing Pranayama, I had difficulty with the way it was outlined in Liber E. Then I went back to Buddhism, and used their idea of anapanasati until years later, when I revisted Liber E, I was able to do it with ease.
Instead of "body sweeping", or after a preliminary period of this practice, mindfulness can be developed through attention on the breath.
First, follow the sensation of your ordinary breath as it flows in through the nostrils and fills the chest and abdomen. Then try maintaining your attention at one point, either at the diaphragm or - a more refined location - at the nostrils. Breath has a tranquilising quality, steady and relaxing if you don't force it; this is helped by an upright posture. Your mind may wander, but keep patiently returning to the breath.
It is not necessary to develop concentration to the point of excluding everything else except the breath. Rather than to create a trance, the purpose here is to allow you to notice the workings of the mind, and to bring a measure of peaceful clarity into it. The entire process - gathering your attention, noticing the breath, noticing that the mind has wandered, and re-establishing your attention - develops mindfulness, patience and insightful understanding. So don't be put off by apparent "failure" - simply begin again. Continuing in this way allows the mind eventually to calm down.
If you get very restless or agitated, just relax. Practice being at peace with yourself, listening to - without necessarily believing in - the voices of the mind.
If you feel drowsy, then put more care and attention into your body and posture. Refining your attention or pursuing tranquillity at such times will only make matters worse!
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C'mon, when you do pranayama without retention you clear the ida, pingala and that is good to do before going on to clearing sushuma with retention AS you can read in Liber E Crowley does.
If I break my pranayama I come back with following my breath and then doing the first pranayama count without retention in Liber E and go on... I believe it is very wise to first clear the ida & pingala. -
@Modes said
"My little experience says to me that hatha yoga asanas are essential for the begginer and precedes pranayama."
Would you care to elaborate? There are yogis who never sit still their entire lives and yet "attain."
