Pranayama For Spiritual Benefits

RESOLVE, PLEDGE, PRAYER

In the case of Pranayama also , your sincerity and intensity determine its success and not the duration or the number of times of your Pranayama. Just three Pranayama  (3 cycles of deep breathing) when properly done are sufficient for inner purification, these three Pranayamas represent

1. the resolve tread the path  of truth  and  Righteousness during  morning , noon and night,

2. the  firm pledge to  develop or cultivate sincerity  and self -confidence and to find joy in sadhana ( in the present and future),

3. the intense prayer strengthened by devotion , faith and longing for God during the three states of wakefulness, dream and deep sleep.

4. the resolve to acquire divine virtues like love , patience , forgiveness, devotion to duty and unselfishness,

5. the thankfulness for the the divine gifts of air , water and light . the spiritual aspirant derives strength  from these divine elements and tries to repay his debt by  doing Sadhana for the welfare of the whole world. Pranayama helps the aspirant in this noble endeavour,

6. the harmonious blending of the three divine attitudes viz., the feeling of blessedness or fulfilment, the attitude of a child and the attitude of a servant.

CONFLUENTE OF DIVINE ATTITUDES
At the beginning of the day, there is this mood of blessedness- I am blessed indeed as I have an all- compassionate savior and guide in you. You are forgiving all my mistakes every moment and with loving care and concern you are leading me by hand “. During the day, at the time of work, there is this attitude of child – ‘You are protecting me as a loving father or mother. You are all- loving, guiding and guarding me all the time’. At the end of the day the attitude of a servant must find expression. ‘My Master! My Lord! I must certainly see you. You, the embodiment of infinite patience, are guiding all my activities’. Thus the three Pranayamas represent the confluence or the blending of three divine attitudes.

Today there are some people who in the name of Yoga practice Pranayama to attain control or mastery over the bodily process. For them Pranayama is a kind of physical exercise or drill. This cannot be considered as a genuine type of Sadhana or spiritual practice as it neglects God who is the very goal and objective of Pranayama.  Meditating on God who is the supreme lord of Praná or the vital force and His infinite glories is the most important feature of Pranayama. True Pranayama gives a new boost to the Prana or the life -force of the body .It may be true that one’s physical health may be improve of Pranayama is practiced as a physical exercise .But that can never give you eternal bliss. On the contrary, a fine physique may lead to vanity and pride which are detrimental to spiritual growth.

POWERFUL MEDIUM TO ROUSE DIVINITY
When give an injection, the medicine reaches every cell in the body through circulation .In the same way when you consciously breathe in positive thoughts, they reach each and every cell in the body and activate the entire psychosomatic system. These thought vibrations have the power to affect and transform the entire body -mind complex.

This is the reason why Pranayama is such a powerful medium to rouse the innate divinity which is lying dormant. Just as a noble king responds quickly and promptly to the united plea of his subjects, God too responds or answers quickly when each and every cell in the body pulsates with divine thought current. Therefore, you are sure to receive divine grace if Pranayama is done properly. God showers His special grace on those Sadhakas who do Pranayama with utmost faith, devotion and self-surrender. God’s grace leads to inner bliss and the Sadhaka experiences a fresh vigor, extra strength and enthusiasm. Divine grace transforms man into a divine being. So, for the Pranayama and Japa-Tapa to be highly successful, unswerving devotion, unflinching faith and intense longing or aspirations for God are of paramount importance.