the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING
Kumbhaka is also of two kinds—Sahita and Kevala. The
Sahita is of two sorts, the first resembling the first kind of
Prânâyâma, namely Rechaka Kumbhaka Puraka; the second
resembling the second kind of Prânâyâma, namely Puraka
Kumbhaka Rechaka. The Sahita should be practised till the
Prâna enters the Sushumnâ, which is known by a peculiar
sound* being produced in the Sushumnâ; after which the
Kevala Kumbhaka should be practised. This Kumbhaka is
described in the “Hatha-Yoga Pradipika” as follows:
When this Kumbhaka has been mastered without any Rechaka or Puraka,
there is nothing unattainable by him in the three worlds. He can restrain his
breath as long as he likes through this Kumbhaka.
He obtains the stage of Raja-Yoga. Through this Kumbhaka, the Kundalini is
roused, and when it is so roused the Sushumnâ is free of all obstacles, and he has
attained perfection in Hatha-Yoga.†
Of the many Prânâyâma exercises practised in the East the
following are given for sake of example.
1. Draw in the breath for four seconds, hold it for sixteen,
and then throw it out in eight. This makes one Prânâyâma.
At the same time think of the triangle (The Mûlâdhara Chakkra is
symbolically represented as a triangle of fire) and concentrate the mind on that
centre. At the first practice this four times in the morning and four times in the
evening, and as it becomes a pleasure to you to do so slowly increase the number.
2. Assume the Padmâsana posture; draw in the Prâna
through the Ida (left nostril), retain it until the body begins to
perspire and shake, and then exhale it through Pingala (right
nostril) slowly and never fast.
* The Voice of the Nada.
† “Hatha Yoga Pradipika,” p. 43
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