Prana
The one consciousness-bearing life force is “Prana.” Prana is the “breath of life,” because there is no life without it; yet prana is not breathing per se. It is what animates all existence and all manifestations of life. All the cosmic space (the Akash) as well as vital forces such as gravity, magnetism and electricity evolve out of Prana. From movements higher and finer than nerve currents, to thoughts and actions, to the lowest and grossest — all are manifestations of Prana.
The one consciousness-bearing life force is “Prana.” Prana is the “breath of life,” because there is no life without it; yet prana is not breathing per se. It is what animates all existence and all manifestations of life. All the cosmic space (the Akash) as well as vital forces such as gravity, magnetism and electricity evolve out of Prana. From movements higher and finer than nerve currents, to thoughts and actions, to the lowest and grossest — all are manifestations of Prana.
The Prashna Upanishad identifies Prana as the Supreme Power of Life born of the Atman, the Universal Self. Prana sustains and rules all functions of the various currents of life-force within the body:
Like the spokes on the hub of a chariot wheel, all beings are established on Prana. Revelation, meditation, hymns, sacraments, power and wisdom — all these are possible because of Prana.
Although we summarily call it Prana, we also describe Prana as expressing in five vayus, “winds” or currents working throughout the entire vast body of Nature. The five motions of Prana are associated with the five elements manifesting everywhere.
Swami Kamalananda
The Breath of God and Pranayam
Pranayam and Meditation
Since the beginning of creation, every soul has been endowed with the desire to regain its original state of absolute perfection. This desire inspires the spiritual aspirant to manifest his divinity in its fullest glory. Let him meditate on the six centers within the spine to awaken their spiritual vibrations. The spiritual vibrations of these centers, thus awakened, will keep his mind uplifted and enable it to remain established on Ajna, the spiritual eye; and finally he will be led into the Sahasraram where all consciousness of duality vanishes, and therein he will attain the supreme state of absolute, self-existent, conscious bliss.
Existence in the world of duality, even for an instant, is impossible without Prana, the cosmic energy, because the phenomenal universe is the differentiation of the undifferentiated Prana. Illumination does not come from merely attaining complete mastery over the sense-organs. But when mind transcends the influence of sense-impressions, the Self is realized. The enlightened mind must rule the senses. Control over the mind is attained by Pranayam and meditation. When the senses and the mind act in perfect harmony with the Self, then alone liberation is attained and the Yogi realizes himself as the absolute Self. Therefore practice Pranayam, the Kriya meditation, observing all major and minor laws in every detail. Pranayam regulates the entire system of the Yogi and enables him to attain higher realization, hence the practice of Pranayam is more desirable than living in an inharmonious state of body and mind. Besides, it is absolutely impossible to feel even the least sensory vibration without preserving in some measure the harmonious movement of Prana in the body. Pranayam must be practiced with the sole object of self-realization, otherwise it will become a veritable source of bondage. Therefore, discarding and thus being free from all phenomenal desires, practice Kriya. Since the beginning of creation, every soul has been endowed with the desire to regain its original state of absolute perfection. This desire inspires the spiritual aspirant to manifest his divinity in its fullest glory. Let him meditate on the six centers within the spine to awaken their spiritual vibrations. The spiritual vibrations of these centers, thus awakened, will keep his mind uplifted and enable it to remain established on Ajna, the spiritual eye; and finally he will be led into the Sahasraram where all consciousness of duality vanishes, and therein he will attain the supreme state of absolute, self-existent, conscious bliss.
Spiritual Interpretation of the Gita according to Kriya Yoga
Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita: The Revelation of the Supreme Self
Swami Premananda
Prana and Kundalini
In meditation, the mind has to become more subtle. To get to that subtle perception we have to begin with that which sets the whole engine in motion. That is Prana. Prana determines the quality of our consciousness. This cosmic Prana is not realized by the light of intellect, the brilliance of mind, or the power of the senses.
Kriya Yoga Meditation Series
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
7:30 p.m.
Conducted by Srimati Karuna
All are welcome.
In meditation, the mind has to become more subtle. To get to that subtle perception we have to begin with that which sets the whole engine in motion. That is Prana. Prana determines the quality of our consciousness. This cosmic Prana is not realized by the light of intellect, the brilliance of mind, or the power of the senses.
Our minds draw power from the cosmic prana, illuminating the centers of consciousness so that it connects a person’s inner being with cosmic life energy. When universal consciousness is perceived, the result is an awareness of ourselves as well as life around us. In this fourth evening of our Kriya series we will explore the depth of Prana.
“Absolute calmness cannot be attained without the practice of Pranayam; nor is the Self realized without meditation. Existence in the world of duality, even for an instant, is impossible without Prana, the cosmic energy, because the phenomenal universe is the differentiation of the undifferentiated Prana. Illumination does not come from merely attaining complete mastery over the sense-organs. But when mind transcends the influence of sense-impressions, the Self is realized.”
Swami Premananda
From His Spiritual Interpretation of the Gita
Chapter 3: The Law of Unfoldment