tice of the exercises for Prdndydma the Heldbreathwould be
better omitted. At suchtimes, alternate breathing on a count of
sevenfor inhalation and nine for exhalation aids wonderfullyin
restoring poise, calming the mind, andsoothing pain. Hold the
breath a few secondsbefore exhalation, and observe a like interval
beforeInhaling the next breath. Repeat six or seventimes that is,
from twelve to fourteen breaths.According to need, this exercise
can be taken frequentlyevery hour or two through the day,and is
especially helpful at any moment of excessivefatigue and mental or
nervous disturbance.It is the sovereign remedy in all crises of
heartweakness.For pains in the back, the Held-breath
exerciseaffords almost immediate relief, and its continuedand
regular practice strengthens a weakspine more than anything else I
know of. It iswell to precede this exercise with several roundsof
alternate breathing as given above. Do notconfound these exercises
with rhythmic breathing(fully described in Chapter XXXI). They
areremedial and corrective, designed to restore54 The Law of the
Rhythmic Breathnormal conditions. In the well-poised human
being,Nature takes care of the regular alternation ofthe
currents.Instead of counting numbers during these exercises,and
especially during the Held-breath, it isbest to think a rhythmic
syllable or phrase, a sacredword or lofty sentiment, the repetition
of whichholds the attention and promotes harmony. Thereis a deep
significance in this which demands moreextended consideration than
can be given now.By accenting the first word in each group ofthree
or four (according to count), the mind carriesthe number without
difficulty, rhythm is promoted,and another anchorage is formed for
themind. This affirmation, from Mrs. Besant'sThought Power, is an
admirable sentiment for thepurpose: 'The Self is Peace; that Self
am I.The Self is Strength, that Self am I." But anythought or word
of deep significance to the studentwill be effective.In the
practice of the exercises for Prdndyamaand in the period of
concentration following it,the eyes should be closed. This inhibits
one disturbingsense-activity, and at the same time disclosesto us a
marvelous inner vision, whose development,like that of all the
senses, depends uponuse. The first aim of concentration is to
withdrawall the senses from every external excitant,Page 30The Law
of the Rhythmic Breath - E. A. Fletcher.txtHow To Use the
Master-Key 55for this aids powerfully in quieting the mind.Exactly
in the measure that we can hold our attentionto a given point, do
we increase the rateof the Tattvic vibrations, and therefore the
forceof Prdna.One of the earliest results of regular and
effectivepractice is the discovery that this internalvision looks
upon a marvelous realm of color dueto the Tattvas which we are able
to recognize bytheir characteristic forms and colors. As
thesevibrations mingle, they vary from their simpleforms to those
of bewildering complexity, formingevery conceivable goemetrical
line and figure,and the blended colors producing myriad hues
andtints. Many movements whirl around a centraldot or vortex, which
sometimes gives a sensationof great depth or unfathomable space.
This hole,as it were, is Akdsha, the first vibration which
wasthrown into undifferentiated matter by the greatPrimary Cause,
Divine Spirit hence, the beginningof the involution of Spirit into
matter.Sometimes this Akdshic depth might be describedas colorless
a glowing white light again asblack in its intensity, really
indigo. These arethe positive and negative phases; then, as theFdyn
vibrations mingle with the Akdsha^ itchanges to deepest azure.Those
who have once seen the wonderful play56 The Law of the Rhythmic
Breathof light and color within realize fo
