The Science of Breath - Illustrated: Breathing Techniques to Increase Mindfulness

Formally titled The Hindu-Yogi Science of Breath. In this classic text, Yogi Ramacharaka teaches us the art of moving our vital energy or life force to enhance our state of well being. Sounds innocent enough, but these techniques have been taught around the world for over 5,000 years. This art provides the foundation for all the mystical arts such as various healing modalities, out of body experiences, using sexual energy to increase vitality and creativity. Special techniques to increase "personal magnetism". Also discussed is Spiritual Breathing. As the Maharishi Ramacharaka states, "man has many faculties which are at present in a dormant state, but which will become unfolded as the aspirant practices these yogic breathing techniques." These would include "spiritual powers of consciousness, which will not become the common property of humanity until after long ages of gradual development under the law of evolution." In the final chapters, Ramacharaka offers techniques for the attainment of Universal Consciousness by meditation and rhythmic breathing. He states that "many have thus attained the highest degree of spiritual attainment possible to man in this stage of his existence." In modern terms, he verifies the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Universal Consciousness is what the modern yogi's call Cosmic Consciousness. A state in which pure awareness is maintained while experiencing waking state. So, the uninitiated may ask, why haven't I heard about these magical techniques that bring about a high sense of wellbeing, mindfulness, and freedom from the fear of death. In the west, our world view is dominated by science and before that organized religion that taught that divinity could only be reached through the Church. That is, the Church acted as an intermediary between Divinity and Man. The same dogma also taught that Man was born with Original Sin - a tainted soul that could only be untainted by offerings to the Church. Slowly but surely these doctrines and dogma are being replaced by a more loving spiritual perspective. Science is now on the verge of rediscovering these forces of nature - Prana, the Life Force also called Subtle Energy in the United States. Scientists like Dr. Tiller and Dr. Swanson are currently working with Subtle Energy in the laboratory. They are developing Prana detectors, Prana generators, and dare I say Prana transmitters even though this energy is not accepted by mainstream scientists. I remember when young entrepreneurs experimented with radio energy before radios were invented. Unfortunately, Maharishi Ramacharaka's techniques will not be accepted by the West until verified by science. Today, the kids at the European Organization for Nuclear Research C.E.R.N have rebuilt their accelerator making it more powerful, now that the standard model has been completed. They are searching for even smaller energy particles. Call me a madman, but I believe that they will find the Subtle Energies that the Maharishi Ramacharaka calls Prana, which he uses to manifest the mystical arts. If so, not only will our world view be changed forever, but a new era of peace and prosperity will issue forth. The West will say they discovered a new energy. You and I will know that they really only rediscovered an energy that the East has known and used for thousands of years. Yogi Ramacharaka would be proud that humanity is finally waking up to realize its true nature.