HATHA YOGA/PART 19
CHAPTER 19.
THE CONTROL OF THE INVOLUNTARY SYSTEM
In the preceding chapter
of this book we have explained to you that the human body is made of millions
of tiny cells, each endowed with sufficient matter to enable it to do its
work—with sufficient Prana to give it the energy it requires— with sufficient
"mind-stuff” to give it the degree of intelligence with which to direct
its work. Each cell belongs to a cell group or family, and the intelligence of
the cell is in close rapport with the intelligence of every other cell in the
group or family, the combined intelligence of the cell-group resulting in a
group-mind. These groups in turn are each a part of some other larger group of
groups, and so on until the whole forms a great republic of cell-mind under the
direction and control of the Instinctive Mind. The control of these great
groups is one of the duties of the Instinctive Mind, and it usually does its
work well, unless interfered with by the Intellect, which sometimes sends it
fear-thoughts, and in this and other ways demoralizes the Instinctive Mind. Its
work is also sometimes retarded by the Intellect insisting that it take up
foreign and strange habits of regulating the physical body through the cell
intelligence. For instance, in the case of constipation, the Intellect being
busy with other work, will not allow the body to respond to the calls of the
Instinctive Mind, acting in response to a demand from the cells of the
Colon—nor does it pay attention to the demands for water—and the consequence is
that the Instinctive Mind is unable to execute the proper orders, and both it
and certain of the cell-groups become demoralized and scarcely know what to
do—bad habits springing up and replacing the natural habit. Sometimes something
akin to a rebellion springs up in some of the cell-groups, resulting no doubt
from some interruption in the natural course of their government, the
introduction of strange customs causing a confusion. At times it seems that
some of the smaller groups (and even some of the larger on certain occasions)
go on "a strike,” rebelling against unaccustomed and improper work forced
upon them—working overtime—and similar causes, such as a lack of proper
nourishment. These little cells often act just as would men under the same
circumstances—the analogy is often startling to the observer and investigator.
These rebellions, or strikes, seem to spread if matters are not arranged, and
even when matters are patched up the cells seem to return to their work in a
sullen manner, and instead of doing the best they know how they will do as
little as possible, and just when they feel like it. A restoration of normal
conditions, resulting from increased nutrition, proper attention, etc., will
gradually bring about a return to normal conditions, but matters may be
expedited by giving the cell-groups direct orders from the Will. It is
astonishing how soon order and discipline may be restored in this manner. The
higher Yogis have a wonderful control over the involuntary system and can act
directly upon nearly every cell in their body. And even some of the so-called
Yogis of the cities of India—those little more than mountebanks, who exhibit
their performances for so many coppers from each wandering traveler—are able to
give interesting exhibitions of this control, some of the exhibitions, however,
being disgusting to persons of fine sensibilities and painful to the real
Yogis, who mourn to see a noble science prostituted in this way.
The trained will is able to act directly upon these cells
and groups by a simple process of direct concentration, but this plan requires
much training on the part of the student. There are other plans whereby the
will is called into operation by the student repeating certain words in order
to focus his Will. The auto-suggestions and affirmations of the Western world
act in this way. The words focus the attention and Will upon the center of the
trouble and gradually order is restored among the striking cells, a supply of
Prana also being projected to the seat of the trouble, thus giving the cells
additional energy. At the same time the circulation to the affected region is
increased, thereby giving the cells more nourishment and building material.
One of the simplest plans of reaching the
seat of trouble and giving a vigorous order to the cells is the one taught by
the Hatha Yogis to their students, to be used by them until they are able to
use the concentrated Will without any aids. The plan is simply to "talk
up” to the rebellious organ or part, giving it orders just as one would a group
of school boys or a squad of recruits in the army. Give the order positively
and firmly, telling the organ just what you wish it to perform, repeating the
command sharply several times. A tapping or mild
slapping of the part, or the part of the body over the affected part, will act
to attract the attention of the cell-group just as does the tapping of a man on
the shoulder cause him to stop, turn around and listen to what you have to say.
Now, please do not suppose that we are trying to tell you that the cells have
ears and understand the words of the particular language you may be using. What
really happens is that the sharply spoken words help you to form the mental
image expressed by the words, and this meaning goes right to the spot, over the
channels of the sympathetic nervous system operated by the Instinctive Mind,
and is readily understood by the cell-groups and even by the individual cells.
As we have already said, an additional supply of Prana and the increased supply
of blood also go to the affected region, being directed there by the
concentrated attention of the person sending the command. The commands of a
healer may be given in the same way, the Instinctive Mind of the patient taking
up the command and forwarding it to the scene of the cell rebellion. This may
seem almost childish to many of our students, but there are good scientific
reasons behind it, and the Yogis consider it the simplest plan whereby mental
commands may reach the cells. So do not discard it as worthless until you have
tried it awhile. It has stood the test of centuries, and nothing better has
been found to do the work.
If you wish to try this
plan upon some portion of your body, or the body of some one else which is not
functioning properly, gently slap the part with the flat palm of the hand,
saying to it sharply (for instance): "Here, Liver you must do your work
better—You are too sluggish to suit me—I expect you to do better from now
on—get to work—get to work, I say, and stop this foolishness,” These exact
words are not necessary; use any words which may come to you, so long as they
convey a sharp positive command that the organ shall do its work. The heart's
action may be improved in the same way, but one must proceed in a far more
gentle manner, as the cell-group of the heart is possessed of a much higher
degree of intelligence than that of the liver, for instance, and must be
approached in a more respectful manner. Gently remind the heart that you expect
it to do its work in a better manner, but speak to it politely and do not
attempt to "bulldoze” it as you would the liver. The heart cell-group is
the most intelligent of the groups controlling any of the organs—the liver
group is the most stupid and less intelligent, being of a decidedly
mulish disposition, whereas the heart is like a thoroughbred horse, intelligent
and alert. If your liver is rebellious you must go for it vigorously,
remembering its mulish propensities. The stomach is fairly intelligent,
although not as much so as the heart. The Colon is quite obedient, although
patient and long suffering.
One may give the Colon commands to evacuate its contents
at a certain time every morning (naming the hour), and if you will trust it
sufficiently to go to the stool at that particular hour— keep your engagement,
in fact— you will find that the Colon will in a short time do as you wish it
to. But remember that the poor Colon has been greatly abused and it may take a
little time to regain its confidence. Irregular menstruation may be regulated,
and normal habits acquired, in a few months by marking the proper date on the
calendar and then each day giving oneself a gentle treatment along the lines
above mentioned, telling the cell-groups controlling the function that it is
now so many days before the expected time and that you wish them to get ready
and do their work, so that when the time arrives everything will be normal. As
you near the time, call the group's attention that the time is growing shorter
and that it must attend to its business. Do not give the commands in a trifling
manner but as if you really meant them—and you must mean them— and they will be
obeyed. We have seen many cases of irregular menstruation relieved in this way
in from one to three months. This may sound ridiculous to you, but all we can
say is to try it for yourself. We have not space to point out the method to be
employed for each complaint, but you will readily see just what organ or group
controls the seat of the trouble from what we have said in other chapters, and
then give it its orders. If you do not know what organ is causing the trouble,
you at least know the region of the disturbance and may direct your commands to
that part of the body. It is not necessary for you to know the name of the
organ—just direct your commands to the spot and say to it: "Here You, etc.” This book is not intended as
a treatise upon the cure of disease, its object being to point out the road to
health by preventing disease, but these little hints at restoring normal
functioning to organs which have been misbehaving may help you somewhat.
You will be surprised at the measure of control which you
may gain over your body by following the above method and variations of the
same. You will be able to relieve your headaches by directing the blood to flow
downward; you will be able to warm your cold feet by ordering the blood to flow
to them in increased quantities, the Prana, of course, going along also; you
may equalize the circulation, thus stimulating the entire body; you may relieve
tired portions of the body. In fact, there is no end of the things you may do
along this line if you have but the patience to try. If you do not know just
what commands to give you may say to the part, "Here you, get better—I
want this pain to leave—I want you to do better,” or something similar. But all
this requires practice and patience, of course. There is no royal road to its
accomplishment.
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