This is Episode No. 8 of the series MEDITATION-SILENCE, entitled “”Pranayama”.

When you breathe from Heaven
You feed the hungry heart
And the thirsty soul of earth.
– Sri Chinmoy

“Some breathing exercises are of real help to meditation. Pranayama is a traditional system of controlled breathing in India. Prana is the vital energy, the life-breath; yama means control. Pranayama is the control of the life-breath. The very first exercise you can practise is to repeat once, as you breathe in, the name of God, the Supreme, the Christ, or whomever you adore. This breath does not have to be long or deep. Then hold your breath and repeat the same name four times. And when you breathe out, repeat two times the name or mantra that you have chosen. You inhale for one count, hold your breath for four counts, and exhale for two counts, inwardly repeating the sacred name.

When you say the name of God, immediately God’s divine qualities-Purity, Peace, Love, Bliss and many others-enter into you. Then when you hold your breath, these divine qualities rotate inside you, entering into all your impurities, obscurities, imperfections and limitations. And when you breathe out, these same divine qualities carry away all your undivine qualities.” -Sri Chinmoy

Camera & Edit: Kedar Misani
Voice: Kanan Roberts
Copyright: © 2006 Sri Chinmoy

View other episodes of Meditation-Silence