Category:Controlling the Breath
Theme Analysis
The yogic process of controlling the breath, technically known as pranayama, is a mechanical method designed to subdue the flickering nature of the mind. Srila Prabhupada explains that by regulating the inhalation, exhalation, and retention of the vital air, the yogi seeks to detach the senses from their objects and fix the mind on the Supersoul, Visnu. This practice requires strict celibacy, specific sitting postures (asanas), and a secluded environment. While powerful examples like Dhruva Maharaja demonstrate that breath control can even suspend universal activities or extend one's life, Srila Prabhupada consistently notes that this path is extremely difficult in the modern age, recommending the chanting of the holy names as the practical alternative for spiritual perfection.
- The Mechanics of Pranayama: The yoga system involves specific sitting postures and the regulation of the life air through inhalation and exhalation to purify the body and steady the mind.
- The Goal is Mind Control: The ultimate purpose of controlling the breath is not physical gymnastics but to stop the oscillation of the mind so it can concentrate fully on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The Power of the Process: Proficiency in breath control allows a yogi to extend their duration of life and, as seen in the history of Dhruva Maharaja, generate immense spiritual potency.
- Impracticality for the Modern Age: Due to the stringent rules of celibacy and seclusion required for success, this mechanical method is largely impossible today; therefore, the chanting of Hare Krishna is recommended as the prime means of delivering the mind.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Yogic Process of Controlling the Breath.
Pages in category "Controlling the Breath"
The following 34 pages are in this category, out of 34 total.
A
- A yogi can place his mind and intelligence within the air circulating inside his body, and by practicing the art of breath control he can mix that air with the air that blows all over the universe outside his body
- Actually, it is very difficult to control the mind. So artificially, by controlling the breathing system, there is the process, but still, it is difficult
- After controlling one's mind and sitting postures, one should spread a seat in a secluded and sanctified place, sit there in an easy posture, keeping the body erect, and practice breath control
B
- Because of Dhruva Maharaja's controlling his breathing, the entire universal breathing process was choked
- Before practicing the real yoga system, one has to practice the sitting postures because this helps in the breathing exercises which control the airs going upwards and downwards
- By controlling the breath, the perfect yogi can continue his life for as long as he likes
- By the fifth month, Maharaja Dhruva, the son of the King, had controlled his breathing so perfectly that he was able to stand on only one leg, just as a column stands, without motion, and concentrate his mind fully on the Parabrahman
- By this astanga-yoga system, by sitting posture, by controlling the breathing, by modes of different posture of seeing, so many things there are. The real thing is to control the mind and concentrate it on the form of Visnu
O
- One must observe silence, acquire steadiness by practicing different yogic postures, control the breathing of the vital air, withdraw the senses from sense objects and thus concentrate the mind on the heart
- One should control the sitting posture, regulate the breathing process by the yogic pranayama and thus control the mind and senses and with intelligence apply the mind to the gross potencies of the Lord
- One who has controlled the sitting postures and the breathing process can turn the senses toward the Absolute P of G and thus become immune to the contaminations of the modes of material nature, namely mundane goodness, passion and ignorance
P
- Practicing the yoga system of exercise and breath control is very difficult for a person in this age, and therefore Lord Caitanya recommended (CC Adi 17.31) , kirtaniyah sada harih
- Prthu Maharaja also practiced breathing exercises to control his mind and senses, and by such control he became completely free from all desires for fruitive activity
T
- The first process of spiritualizing the mind by mechanical chanting of the pranava (omkara) and by control of the breathing system is technically called the mystic or yogic process of pranayama, or fully controlling the breathing air
- The mind, by nature, is always oscillating, for it is very fickle, but the breathing exercise is meant to control it. This process of controlling the mind might have been very possible in those days millions of years ago
- The purpose of yogic performances is explained here (SB 3.15.7). It is said that an experienced mystic attains full control of the mind and senses by controlling the breathing process. Therefore, controlling the breathing is not the ultimate aim of yoga
- The sages practice pranayama (trance) by controlling the breathing process, mind and senses through the mystic yoga practice. Thus they try to merge into the Supreme Brahman
- The yoga practice is to control the breathing period. And this breathing can be controlled if you can control your sense pleasure. Otherwise it will not be possible. Especially sex
- The yoga system for meditation (controlling the sitting posture and breathing process and fixing the mind upon the Supreme) is prescribed in order to mold the character of the gross materialist
- The yogis who become detached from the material world by practice of breathing exercises and control of the mind reach the planet of Brahma, which is far, far away
- The yogis who try to elevate themselves by controlling the senses and who meditate upon Me by practicing the breathing exercise of pranayama are not so thoroughly freed from material desires
- There are no stringent rules and regulations that we have to sit so straight for so long or do so many gymnastics, or control our breath. No, the process is very easily and happily done
- There is no defeat in this material world for persons who control the mind and senses by controlling the breathing process and who are therefore experienced, mature mystics. This is because by such perfection in yoga they have attained your mercy
- There the great sage concentrated his mind by the yogic breathing exercises, and thereby controlling all attachment, he remained standing on one leg only, eating nothing but air, and stood there on one leg for one hundred years
- This system of yoga for controlling the breathing process is called pranayama, and in the beginning it is practiced in the hatha-yoga system through different sitting postures. BG 1972 purports
- Those who are interested in self-realization, in terms of mind and sense control, offer the functions of all the senses, as well as the vital force (breath), as oblations into the fire of the controlled mind. BG 4.27 - 1972
W
- We are not meant for any stringent rules and regulation or gymnastic or breathing control, so many things, as they are described and they are performed by many different sections
- When you are not perfect, you accept this yoga system of asana, astanga-yoga system; pranayama, sitting process, controlling the breathing exercise. But when you become perfect, you need not. You give up
- While continuously staring at the tip of the nose, a learned yogi practices the breathing exercises through the technical means known as puraka, kumbhaka and recaka - controlling inhalation and exhalation and then stopping them both