“The deeper the Self-realization of a man, the more he influences the whole universe by his subtle spiritual vibrations, and the less he himself is affected by the phenomenal flux.”
-Paramhansa Yogananda
The energy of every individual is determined not just by their words and actions but more so by the thoughts, intentions and imagination one carries within. The thoughts we think and the images we see in our minds, make up for the inner world of a individual.
The mind creates reality not only using thought but also our imagination – we can see ourselves as anything we wish to, in our mind’s eye, co-creating with the universal mind and shifting towards a more desirable possibility, that already exists within.
We can imagine all the good in the world and hold that image in our minds. One can simply close their eyes and shift into the experience. The science behind our mind, thoughts and imagination leaves clues about the existence of an infinite field of possibility and search for the ultimate truth.
To understand the mind’s eye, to understand our thoughts and imagination, to understand our thinking process, we must go deeper.
One sure way to understand all of the above is understanding the science of the breath. That is where all life originates from. As long as the body is breathing, there is life. When the breath ceases – there is no life. It is the simplest concept of life – the breath.
The breath can create worlds for us that we never knew existed, worlds that go beyond our imagination and most importantly can bring us closer to the one true reality that we are living in now.
The first step one can take towards this understanding is – becoming conscious of the breath or to become conscious of the act of breathing. When one can start breathing consciously – one first understands the nature of their own mind.
Being connected with the breath, brings one closer to understanding the wisdom of the body. The breath helps one to realign with the true nature of the body, which in its highest potential is God.
Guru ji says “Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty of all before you. The future will take care of itself…”
I started the practice of breathing consciously about 6 years ago, it was then that I had my first experiences of a “thoughtlessness state” – It felt like a complete awareness of the present moment. My mind held no inhibitions of my environment, I was free to see, free to absorb and take in everything that was around me as it truly was. Very soon, I was directed to different kinds of chants and Kirtans that would ultimately lead me to the “Autobiography of a Yogi”. The book left a keen impression of wanting to learn Kriya yoga and the science of self-realisation as taught by the masters.
To grow one step in this journey towards God realization is to understand and learn the right way of breathing. The full yogic breath is the correct way to breathe and can be learnt. Control over the breath and practice of the right techniques is essential to develop right awareness.
It is then that one is truly aware of their physical reality. When one can see with the right awareness of this particular dynamic of the relation between the inner and outer world, then the truth is realized. And it is this realization That can enable one to understand the nature of the mind, how thoughts create reality and what can be done to change this.
“Since you alone are responsible for your thoughts, only you can change them.”
-Paramhansa Yogananda
The process of learning Kriya yoga usually begins by learning to breathe correctly. Followed by learning of a mantra, we understand how to silence the mind, to go beyond the mind. After proper practice of these techniques, the student is ready for Kriya, to understand the subtle realities of the inner world, so one can create truly everlasting change, not just for themselves, but for the universe at large.