Swami Shivapadananda on Pranayama (Yoga Breathing)

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.

Day 410

From a book by Swami Yatiswarananda

Pranayama  [controlled yoga breathing] is dangerous if you do not follow a regulated life, under the constant guidance of a qualified teacher [Guru]. But there is no harm in practising regulated breathing, without holding the breath. First, practise it at definite times. Later, you can do it at other times too.

Swami Shivapadananda: Try to practise rhythmic breathing always, till it becomes a habit. Irregular breathing is a tremendous waste of time and makes the mind restless. The senses must be subdued; the mind must be made rhythmic. All of the body machine must come under your control – then you can enjoy operating the body machine, otherwise not.

There is need for constant alertness. Most of us are dream-walking, we just walk in a dream, we do not know how our life went on Earth.

Old people forget things; middle-aged people get to know things, and teenagers know everything.

Become fully conscious under all circumstances, in all situations in life, and learn to recognise your own true motive.

Criticise yourself severely. There must be constant but not destructive criticism [self-observation and evaluation], if it is to help you in your spiritual striving and evolution.

'I am a sinner.' Say this and it makes you a sinner all the more, and takes away from you all spiritual initiative.