Path of Fire and Light (06/11) Step 4: Commentary on Yoga Meditation

This series of videos is a commentary by Swami Jnaneshvara on the eight steps of Yoga Meditation as described by Swami Rama in his book Path of Fire and Light, Volume 2 (ISBN 0893891126). It was recorded at Swami Rama Center on the campus of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences near Rishikesh (the location of Sadhana Mandir, Swami Rama's ashram) and Dehradun, India. These videos were made primarily for use by visitors to Swami Rama's ashram, which is beside the Ganges at the foothills of the Himalayas in Rishikesh, India, though I hope that all practitioners of yoga meditation enjoy them.

This particular video is commentary on step 4 of the 8 steps, which is developing a pattern of serene breath. This allows the conscious mind to be calm, so that steps 5-8 can be practiced. In particular, step 5 is on developing sankalpa, determination to be not disturbed by the flow of otherwise distracting thoughts. With the calming of mind through making the breath serene, it is much easier to cultivate this determination. The main parts of the breathing practices are to gently and patiently slow the breathing process, particularly lengthening the exhalation, and to eliminate pauses between the breaths. This leads to sushumna awakening, the balancing of the left and right energies so that this energy flows in the central stream of the subtle spine, the sushumna channel. Indications of sushumna awakening are having both nostrils open and flowing freely and equally, as well as sukhamana, which means "joyous mind". The practice of training the breath to be serene rests on the foundation of steps 1 to 3, particularly step 3, which is having a still, steady, yet comfortable sitting posture.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Yoga
• Meditation