Prana and Mind

Prana and Mind  

     Prana is one of the ingredients of the living beings. It is accompanied by Consciousness, Intelligence, Mind and Awareness (Sakshi). Thought is the highest expression of Prana. Its expression is three-fold. First, there is instinct, which may be called conscious thought. At a higher level is reason in which thought is a conscious and well- regulated effort. But the circle within which it runs is very limited. ‘tat’ (That) ‘that which is beyond’, can be grasped by super-conscious, or Samadhi. All manifestations of the subtle forces of the body, which are different manifestations of Prana, give a push to the mind to assume vibrations that reveal facts at subtle level of existence. The whole universe is one unbroken mass of matter in flux beaten into different states of vibrations by the Prana. The Sun, the Moon, the Man, the plant, the animal, the mineral, the atom are all mere points of this one huge mass, the Mahat. When the action of Prana on Akasha is most subtle, it is called Mind. Mind is also one unbroken continuum. If one gets into the subtle vibration through the regulation of Prana within oneself, then that whole universe is seen as composed of subtle vibrations of thought.  Samadhi brings the individual’s mind to those vibrations that enable it to apprehend the facts of these subtle levels of existence.

    Prana is generally, but often loosely, translated as ‘vital-breath’, the life-force or the vital force. The term is applied to both transcendental principle, the subtle cause, as well as to its effects, the forces moving to activity the organs- physical and mental. [Brahmopansihad 2].

    In Prashnopanishad, Pippalada unfolds the whole philosophy of this Prana. Prana is expressly identified with the Atman; it is not just the manifested aspect of the Atman. The manifested aspect, Prana, is in reality is the same as the Atman; for purposes of intellectual comprehension, it is distinguished as a process of manifestation or creation. In the Upanishads, Prana is used as synonymous with the Atman or Brahman [Brahma Sutras I. 23 and I .28-31]. Prana is identified as the life of the Devas (Indriyas), because the latter embody only its manifested functions that go to make up the macrocosm and the microcosm, the external and the internal world. It is also their death, because their dissolution means nothing but resolution into it.

    'Prana' is the Devata (Deity) of the Nadis, because they represent its functions. Prana evolves the complex of man’s psychophysical activity. The Nadis form the media for evolution as well as involution. Thus, we have the conception that Prana becomes many and then functions through determinate channels built up with matter- Brahman in its self-manifesting process becoming determined as action and reaction, as Prana and Akasha, force and matter. 

Pranayama and Kundalini

    Human body is a web of nerves, the ‘nara-mandala’. Prana or vital energy working in the nervous system is called ‘Psychic Prana’. There is the latent or coiled up energy at the base of the spinal column (Muladhara) technically called ‘Kundalini’.  Pranayama initiates the flow of this coiled up energy up-wards from the base to the brain, utilizing the power generated by the control established over the breath. The control of the breathing process works similarly on all the functioning of the Prana in the body. By rhythmic breathing all the molecules of the body gradually begin to move in the same direction and this makes a man a tremendous battery of will power. When all the electrons in a body flow in the same direction, electric power is generated. Similarly, by Pranayama, the energies of the body and mind are controlled and directed towards the base of the spinal column, called ‘Muladhara’, and thereby Kundalini, the coiled up power, is activated. Once Kundalini is activated, its energy begins to flow upwards towards the brain.

   The vertebral column has the spinal cord running through it. It starts from the brain and ends up in the lumbar vertebrae as fine nerve fibres. Two nerve currents flow on two sides of the spinal cord, called Ida, the afferent nerve) and Pingala (the efferent nerve) carrying sensations to the brain and in turn convey the reactions of the brain to the body.  Between these two nerve currents is Sushumna (canal centralis). This canal is closed at the bottom and ordinarily does not perform any function unless it is aroused to do. Yogis who practice Kundalini open this canal and let the nerve current pass through this hollow canal without the help of nerves. This is the medium that established contact consciousness with the environment during evolution but finally got entrapped. The release of the bondage of the body and to establish the contact with the universal consciousness is the purpose of practice of Kundalini. When the Sushumna canal is opened up and mental currents are passed through its empty space, the bondage of the body is released and the yogi establishes the contact with the super consciousness. This brings an extra-ordinary sense of happiness, the Supreme Bliss that cannot be expressed by words!

        The Muladhara (the sacral plexus) is the root receptacle, the seat of Kundalini. Enormous power of evolutionary impulses is coiled up here. It is this energy that enables the evolutionary process to continue devising the new forms and functions like the one that ended in devising man from the monkey. This is also the key that holds the future of mankind. This is attained by tremendous concentrated will power generated by Pranayama. The manifestation of a little of this is seen in the creative instincts and the sense of reality one gets in the experience of dreams and vivid imagination.

        From Muladhara at the bottom, to the Sahasrara in the brain there are in all seven chakras, centres of consciousness. The body, mind and the spirit meet at these junctions and influence each other. These centres of consciousness are: the Muladhara, Svadhishthana, Manipuraka, Anahata, Vishuddhi and Ajna, and the last one is the Brain, called Sahasrara, the thousand- petalled lotus. These Yogic centers are located in the regions of anus, root of genital, navel, heart, throat, in between the two eye- brows, and crown of head, respectively.

       In ordinary people the first three chakras, the centers of consciousness from the bottom upwards are active and the higher ones are dormant. The first three are connected with the animal life of man like eating, drinking, sense enjoyment or sexual pleasures. Selfish animal thoughts and emotions influence the lower centres. Tamas and Rajas gunas are dominant at lower chakras and, satva guna gains ascendency at higher centres of consciousness. Sushumna becomes active only when we become sattvic. When the conscious level rises to the centre in the heart, the spirituality is awakened in man.

      Laya Yoga is Kundalini Yoga. Laya is dissolution, dissolution of vrittis, thought-waves. Raja Yoga is restraint of Vrittis. Hatha Yoga helps to control Vrittis by rigorous spiritual, ethical and moral practices. The words ‘Ha’ and ‘Tha’ mean union of the Sun and moon, the Prana Vayu and the Apana Vayu (vital airs).

     Surya Yoga is the technique of absorbing the solar energy and energizing the brain cells. This is a very simple technique. One has to spend about 45 minutes walking barefoot on the warm ground absorbing the earth energy; at the same time, one should gaze at the Sun for a few seconds only. The time suitable for gazing at the Sun is at the time of sunrise or sunset. The period of gazing at the Sun should be for two to three seconds and gradually increased to 5 minutes at a time over a period of 45 days and, it should not exceed 45 seconds. Constant gazing at the Sun at a stretch is not advisable for it will affect the eyes. By this method, solar energy is stored up in brain cells and it will help reduce dependence on solid food for the physical sustenance of the body. Such persons who have mastered this technique live for long time and attain superb control over their self. They also obtain certain spiritual occult powers (ashta siddhi) like clairvoyance, levitation, and 'parakaya pravesh' (entering other's body). Pranayama, Gayatri and Kundalini are also associated with Surya Yoga and this is a very powerful technique of Yogic exercise.      

     Activating and rising Kundalini to reach sahasrar level from muladhara is not easy in the beginning and it requires enormous will- power and discipline. It is difficult to force the psychic energy along the Sushumna canal by will power alone. It is very important to note that these centres of consciousness at higher levels are extremely subtle centres which vitalize and control the gross bodily tracts indicated by the various regions of the vertebral column and the ganglia, plexus, nerves, arteries, and the organs situated in those respective regions. In a way, these are not to be disturbed unless one is physically and mentally fit to handle the enormous energy released by the control of Prana that enters this canal of Sushumna and reach the higher chakras or centers of consciousness. One must live a pure life of truth, love, sacrifice, and regulate the habits in order to operate the Kundalini, ‘the Serpent Power’.

         The adverse effects of Kundalini are such that they may cause nervous break down in introverts, or lead to uncontrolled misadventures in extroverts. It may lead to insanity in weak persons. It may cause boosted egotism in physically strong but morally weak persons with the consequence that they become a threat to society. Some persons may gain cheap psychic powers like mind reading and gain control over other weak persons. They may, with practice of japa, meditation with chants of Lord's name (namasmaranam), and practice of a disciplined life will ultimately bring joy, peace and happiness.