How Pranayama works
Question
Hello, hope you're doing well. I have 2 questions concerning pranayama practice. First, I've read that the important part of pranayama is kumbhaka, the part that we keep our breath, weather inside or outside. Why is that so? what effect does it have that makes it important for practitioner? And, also, I want to know how daily pranayama practice, let's say for 20 minutes per session, can help us in brahmacharya discipline?
Thank you and god bless you.
Answer
1. Breath is the gross most form of Prana (life force). Through Kukbhaka (retention), the Nadi-s (astral energy channels) are purged of toxins. This slowly steadies the body, leading to health and well being. The harmonized energy in the physical & astral mediums then helps one reduce body consciousness, stabilizing the mind and bringing it under control, dissolving restlessness. After many years of such Pranayama, the steadied mind, which is put into meditation, stands out of the way of gradual dissolution of past karma stored in the Karana Sharira (causal medium). This burns the dross at the causal level, following which the nature of the Atman is revealed.
2. Pranayama is therefore most beneficial in bringing the mind into a state of equilibrium. It is only an equalized mind which becomes capable of Brahmacharya & fit for meditation.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)