SCIENCE OF BREATH/PART 2
CHAPTER
II.
"BREATH
IS LIFE."
Life
is absolutely dependent upon the act of breathing. "Breath is Life."
Differ
as they may upon details of theory and terminology, the Oriental and the
Occidental agree upon these fundamental principles. To breathe is to live, and
without breath there is no life. Not only are the higher animals dependent upon
breath for life and health, but even the lower forms of animal life must
breathe to live, and plant life is likewise dependent upon the air for
continued existence.
The
infant draws in a long, deep breath, retains it for a moment to extract from it
its life-giving properties, and then exhales it in a long wail, and lo! its
life upon earth has begun. The old man gives a faint gasp, ceases to breathe,
and life is over. From the first faint breath of the infant to the last gasp of
the dying man, it is one long story of continued breathing. Life is but a
series of breaths.
Breathing
may be considered the most important of all of the functions of the body, for,
indeed, all the other functions depend upon it. Man may exist some time without
eating; a shorter time without drinking; but without breathing his existence
may be measured by a few minutes.
And
not only is Man dependent upon Breath for life, but he is largely dependent
upon correct habits of breathing for continued vitality and freedom from
disease. An intelligent control of our breathing power will lengthen our days
upon earth by giving us increased vitality and powers of resistance, and, on
the other hand, unintelligent and careless breathing will tend to shorten our
days, by decreasing our vitality and laying us open to disease.
Man
in his normal state had no need of instruction in breathing. Like the lower
animal and the child, he breathed naturally and properly, as nature intended
him to do, but civilization has changed him in this and other respects. He has
contracted improper methods and attitudes of walking, standing and sitting,
which have robbed him of his birthright of natural and correct breathing. He
has paid a high price for civilization. The savage, to-day, breathes naturally,
unless he has been contaminated by the habits of civilized man.
The
percentage of civilized men who breathe correctly is quite small, and the
result is shown in contracted chests and stooping shoulders, and the terrible
increase in diseases of the respiratory organs, including that dread monster,
Consumption, "the white scourge." Eminent authorities have stated
that one generation of correct breathers would regenerate the race, and disease
would be so rare as to be looked upon as a curiosity. Whether looked at from
the standpoint of the Oriental or Occidental, the connection between correct
breathing and health is readily seen and explained.
The
Occidental teachings show that the physical health depends very materially upon
correct breathing. The Oriental teachers not only admit that their Occidental
brothers are right, but say that in addition to the physical benefit derived
from correct habits of breathing, Man's mental power, happiness, self-control,
clear-sightedness, morals, and even his spiritual growth may be increased by an
understanding of the "Science of Breath." Whole schools of Oriental
Philosophy have been founded upon this science, and this knowledge when grasped
by the Western races, and by them put to the practical use which is their strong
point, will work wonders among them. The theory of the East, wedded to the
practice of the West, will produce worthy offspring.
This
work will take up the Yogi "Science of Breath," which includes not
only all that is known to the Western physiologist and hygienist, but the
occult side of the subject as well. It not only points out the way to physical
health along the lines of what Western scientists have termed "deep
breathing," etc., but also goes into the less known phases of the subject,
and shows how the Hindu Yogi controls his body, increasing his mental capacity,
and develops the spiritual side of his nature by the "Science of
Breath."
The
Yogi practices exercises by which he attains control of his body, and is
enabled to send to any organ or part an increased flow of vital force or
"prana," thereby strengthening and invigorating the part or organ. He
knows all that his Western scientific brother knows about the physiological
effect of correct breathing, but he also knows that the air contains more than
oxygen and hydrogen and nitrogen, and that something more is accomplished than
the mere oxygenating of the blood. He knows something about "prana,"
of which his Western brother is ignorant, and he is fully aware of the nature
and manner of handling that great principle of energy, and is fully informed as
to its effect upon the human body and mind. He knows that by rhythmical
breathing one may bring himself into harmonious vibration with nature, and aid
in the unfoldment of his latent powers. He knows that by controlled breathing
he may not only cure disease in himself and others, but also practically do
away with fear and worry and the baser emotions.
To
teach these things is the object of this work. We will give in a few chapters
concise explanations and instructions, which might be extended into volumes. We
hope to awaken the minds of the Western world to the value of the Yogi
"Science of Breath."
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