Archive for the ‘PRANAYAMA KUMBHAKA’ Category

Should I Practice Kumbhaka?

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Q: What can you tell me about Kumbhaka? I would like to learn this in regard to deepening my sadhana, but I am warned to have a competent teacher for this practise as it carries danger to try it without experienced guidance. Can you guide me in this area? 

 

A: Kumbhaka - is retention of breath in the ‘kumbh’ (the ‘jar’, which in this case, is the stomach and abdomen). This is an advanced stage of pranayama, during which, after the inbreath, it is necessary to put the locks on, muladhara bandha (anal lock) and jalandhara bandha (neck lock). However, stressful retention of respiration of this nature does not culminate in realisation. At best it stops mental movement for a while. But as soon as practice is over, all the old mental garbage flows back.

   This is fine for a hatha yogi who wishes to enhance personal power and develop physical energy.

   But kumbhaka is just a temporary dam on the thought-stream.

   As you are following a more introspective path (that of jnana), seeking the wisdom of the Self, then far better is the tantric breathing method known as dvadashanta, in which one loses oneself in the observation of the outer pause and the inner pause of the breath. 

   Instruction in this practice is available in my workshops.

   But the best kumbhaka you can perform is mental, not physical, by the retention of assumption, projection, criticism and judgement regarding any imaginings about another’s thoughts and motives.

  This is more spiritually freeing to the mind and greatly reduces the sense-of-ego

 

 

 

 

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