Page 11 - PULSE- JULY -2020

MIND INHALE DEEPLY ... EXHALE

SLOWLY!
Budhaditya Basu,
PhD Student
Sangeetha Vijay, PhD
Mind by nature Mind mirrors mind; Post Doctoral Fellow
free as ever, knows no bound. truly, one of a kind.
Never seems to stop From the first breath of a baby to the final gasp of “chi” or life force. Various practices like Qigong,
rarely quiet and often loud. Only a fool says, a dying man, and everything in between is a series acupuncture and acupressure directly deal with
‘Listen to your mind’. of how we breathe! Breathing is essential to all life prana / chi energy. Numerous experiments on the
Is the time manifested in mind? It’s a deceiving show forms. We can handle absence of food and water existence of prana has exhibited the presence of
Is the mind temporal? put on to mankind. for a while, but holding breath cannot surpass even a mixture of electromagnetic field, ultraviolet light,
Tell me what is the truth Close your eyes and ‘see’ few minutes. Western and Eastern philosophies infrared light, traces of visible light, alpha, beta or
and what is empirical. the chaos and anarchy. have suggested that “breathing in the right way” gamma rays etc. but no studies are scientifically
Learn whom to glorify and can provide physical benefits, mental power, clear conclusive. The acupuncture points (where prana
Phenomenal! Isn’t it? what is vanity. perception, self-control and spiritual growth. On is exposed to atmosphere) have shown lower
No physical existence, no definition; the contrary, improper breathing is associated electrical resistance of the skin compared to the
yet it exists and responds Inspired by the book INCOGNITO written by David with several chronic respiratory disorders, low rest of the skin. However, most of the scientific
to minds in connection. Eagleman immunity, sleep disorders and low vitality. Also, studies are based on its effects rather than its
studies have shown that more than 60% of presence and much remains to be explored !!!
O creation! individuals with chronic respiratory disorders are
Bewildered am I. known to have anxiety or depression. Pranayama (meaning ‘extension of life force’) is a
Is the mind ‘me’? yogic technique of conscious rhythmic breathing
Does that make ‘me’ cry? In the western world, breathing is a process that involves inhalation, holding and exhalation.
essential for the oxygenation of blood. However, Rhythmic yogic breathing technique utilizes
Who are we, who can we be? the yogic perception of breathing raises many more lung space and charges our system with
We choose neither of them. eyebrows because in yoga, rhythmic breathing more oxygen and prana in contrast to our normal
Mind is a product of practices imbibe vitality globules called “prana”, involuntary breathing, which utilizes very less lung
microscopic history - ‘unfathomable’. present in the air, but not a chemical constituent. area. It also gives exercise to our internal vital
“Prana” is known to revitalize the body, orchestrates organs.

Do we have ‘free’ will? the mind to nature’s vibration and helps to unveil
What does your mind say? the dormant human potentials. Although Prana is The neurophysiological effects of pranayama are
It’s biologically predisposed in the air, it is known to penetrate where air can’t evident in various scientific studies. It is known
the way we act and weigh. reach and has role in the materialization of life. to stimulate parasympathetic nervous system
“Prana” is referred in different names in traditional via vagus nerve, which positively influences
Mind thinks scriptures and should not be misinterpreted respiratory functions, decreases heart rate
Being enslaved by mind; as Divine spirit. The book of Genesis talks and increases parasympathetic dominance.
like larvae weaving a cocoon about “neshemet ruach chayim” differentiating This higher vagal tone promotes acetylcholine
and shouting, ‘I am bound’. atmospheric air with “prana” where it quotes release resulting in calmness, focus, low anxiety,
about the existence of life giving (chayim) spirit of enhanced social connectedness and positive
Mind thinks life (ruach) in the ordinary breath of atmospheric emotions. The regular practice of pranayama has
to have mastery over mind. air (neshamet). The Chinese define the same as shown to alter response to stress by modifying