Observation #19: Realisations for meditation

Observation #19: Realisations for meditation (27th Nov)

While Some of the Obervations are repeated as to random cases of drowsy feeling while meditating

One more observation as below:

While concentrating in the middle of brow, initially it was done by hard concentrating which would mostly begin with pain at the point and then subside to the pressure feeling of a rupee coin kept at the temple of head and then pulled with the help of a vacuum.

I tried concentrating on the breaths instead of the middle of brow. After a while the concentration gets easy between the brow and the pressure feeling starts arbitrarily .. 

Seems now that the pressure feeling arbitrarily starts any time of the day when ever I am concentrating better on any activity throughout the day.

I suppose this pressure feeling will get intensified going further.

Breathing slowly will help shutting down the sensory inputs from the 5 senses starting with voluntarily shutting the eyes, ignoring inputs from Ears, Skin, Nose, tongue is to be learned or developed.. only after doing this, the mind will be actualy free to concentrate on further.

Key milestone is to be able to Igore the sensory inputs from the senses.

6th Dec -
On the death anniversary of my father , I find that the theory he proposed all his life was NOT Wrong!!

He had proposed ni-shwaas by the way of exhalation as the ultimate remedy for all problems
To achieve that he had proposed zeropathy and other working details

the actual feeling when exhaled fully and maintained without inhaling changes into an feeling something like all cells individually have started shouting/being active and demanding oxygen and this starts at Mooladhara area.

now Exactly similar feeling is being generated by concentrating in the middle of the brow. but the sensation is being generated at the mooladhar !!

So in a sense father was right !

Observation #18: First realisation of sitting of long hrs

Observation #18: First realisation of sitting of long hrs and Mooladhar

Sat & Sunday 13th &14th Aug saw the first significant observation in the pranayama prayog!!

First observation is that I could sit still for longer time for first time
I started the meditation and tried concentration hard this time. Along with the erect spine, I also kept the chin up due to which the feeling of air being felt on one particular point and then the feeling of coin pressed, which was being felt at the top of the forehead, was felt at the center of the forehead(third eye position).
I could ignore the itching sensation. this I consider first major step in meditation process. Itching being primal sensations which is difficult to ignore even for animals.

This helped me in sitting still for almost more than half an hr. This will certainly help in further steps of meditation.

Also second observation is that while feeling the vibrations of aum at throat, sitting still and straight, once can visualise the vibrations going down all the way till the location of mooladhar.

It is understood also that the feeling one gets after inhaling post a strong nishwasa is the very feeling one feels persistantly as the mooladhara chakra awakens.

Observation #17: Feelings post dhyaana and 'Aum'

Observation #17:  Feelings post dhyaana and 'Aum'

For a last week or two It has been observed that the mind s wandering more at the time of dhyana. May be as a reaction or a consequence but the mind wanders more, the subjects to keep mind engaged are pulled out by mind, the Sexual thoughts also get initiated.

Dhyana it seems get over but these thoughs overpowering the dhyana and a little time later you realise that you have been not doing dhyana at all and totally engulfed in these thoughts only.

One more queer observation noticed. For more than a wek now I have been seeing the symbol of aum at places so that its prominently visible to me. Have seen it on the engines of trucks and back of the travels buses as prominent and noticeable as can be! and this is happening almost every day except yesterday wen it was missed.

Observation #16: Observations during dhyaan as newly understood

Observation #16: Observations during dhyaan as newly understood

After some reading, There is some refinement in understanding how to perform dhyaana.

Below are some of the points for Guidance:

1. Spine has to be perfectly straight. Theres no compromise on this. try and sit as close to a straight wall or a straight back chair so that you stay straight even if you relax after a while. there is no room to slouch.
2. We need to focus on the breathing.. count of 8 for inhale, count of 8 for retention and count of 8 for exhale to begin with.. after a while when you feel that the rhythm is attained, we can focus further (I think its okay even if its on lesser counts provided the rhythm is uniform)
3. Try the Hong-Sau sounds - While you inhale the breath should sound as hong and while exhale should sound as saw or Sau. (I have tried, I loose track after a while but feel should not be difficult as you get a habit of breathing accordingly)
4. After the breathing is come to a rhythm, need to focus on mind in between both eyes or on the forehead just above that point.
5.  The pronunciation of Aum along with above helps in concentrating the mind.


The idea is to sit very still and make the mind still as well. Lot of energy is wasted/utilised in physical movements as well as mental wandering. These energies need to be conserved. then can channel these energies.

Initial observation is that in the process of doing so I came back to look at the watch about 15-20 min later which means that some sort of concentration did happen. Also Felt a little dizzy so lied down in savasana . Felt fresh post Savasana. Now Am not sure the freshness was due to savasana alone or the dhyana done earlier and then Savasana.

Postulate : Oxygen in Blood Without breath!

Postulate : Oxygen in Blood Without breath!

Happened to Read few chapters of the Book "autobiography of a yogi" by Paramhansa yogananda ji.

The Book is profoundly intriguing and  arousing immense interest to know more about experiences and thought process of a yogi

The State of enlightenment is elaborately described. As understood, it says that the kriya Yoga helps to energize body and takes the person is a different level of light feeling and energy currents flowing through the body. There is change at molecular level in the constitution of blood cells where the carbon elements are replaced by oxygen in turn enriching the blood with oxygen. This enriched blood then energises all the other organs. The accumulation of blood ceases and results in stopping the decay of cells. this is enlightenment as brain cells too function more with excess blood supply.

With this enriched blood, The body no longer is dependant on the oxygen from the breath. the Yogi as said by lord krishna/yogi Patanjali can exhale and inhale at the same time. (Since he no longer is dependant on the sync between breaths and infusing of oxygen into blood.

Now thinking further on this aspect that how can the enrichment of blood happen, I tend to visualise these energy currents as literally electricity and that the application of normal laws of current to these energy forms can give a surprising support to the statements.. Considering the Energy as electricity, Lets assume that the electricity is flowing through the spine. this spine is also contributing to generation of blood via the bone marrow for the bones in the spine. As a common element, body has surplus flow of water element throughout the body. This condition may indicate the presence of water and the electricity in the vicinity of the blood generating bone marrow. The electricity in contact with water initiates a fairly simple and understandable phenomenon of electrolysis where in the water is disintegrated into hydrogen and oxygen molecules. This Oxygen gas is getting dissolved in the fresh generated blood and is taken further into circulation. Hence the enriched Blood !!

Also we have hydrogen which is getting generated which may be the reason of persons feeling lighter after the process. Need to read on further what would be effect of hydrogen being infused along with oxygen.

The theory does seem a logical possibility.. !!

Observation #15: Enlightenment : Bottom Up approach vs Top down Approach

Observation #15: Enlightenment : Bottom Up approach vs Top down Approach
Considering the Energy associated with chakra awakening, synonymous to the Electricity, We have postulates as below :

Energy (or electricity) is generated by means of some churning of body parts at the mooladhar and it traverses upwards with help of nervous/neural network 

The topmost chakra appears nearest to the edge of the body and it is most probable that the chakra can receive the energy even from external sources ( via physical contact of the source  or conductor bearing the energy or even an arc through the air for a smaller distance between the chakra and the energy source)
 Thus Chakra awakening can happen with transfer of energy from palm of a hand to top of head (which is nothing but ashirwad)

I am going to compare Bottom Up approach v s top down approach in the process of a person getting enlightened. Will try and explain both types with its pros and cons

Bottom Up Approach : 
The chakras by the study is understood to be energised from bottom which is the mooladhar chakra.

From the mooladhar the energy flows upwards to next chakra and then to next chakra onwards in upward direction 

We have the sahasrara chakra at the top which is shown even above the head or just touching the topmost part of head (Just beneath the topmost edge as can be said)
the energy continues to flow upwards thus energizing the chakras one by one from bottom most to top. This is Bottom up approach

Pros -  The body aliments get addressed first and the body is cleansed of all ailments and illnesses, defects the body is aligned to the energizing of chakras one by one and is gradual progression

Cons - Progression is a slow one and takes time to energize the chakras one by one. It take s longer time to reach the top chakra 

Top Down Approach :
As postulated above the chakra can receive the energy by means of external source directly if  in vicinity of the Sahasrara chakra. The  Energy will activate directly the top most chakra and in turn the downwards chakras also will start energizing. However, This being a direct method of activating the highest chakra, the bodily cleansing or repairs of the bodily systems might not have been attended to, This is why we often see an enlightened person yet suffering from some ailment. Of course, the karma theory also holds value for person to undergo sufferings even if the enlightenment is there.

Pros - Easiest, Fast, Direct, spontaneous enlightenment 

Cons - All bodily function s and systems may remain defective or even get damaged as the body may or may not be ready to accept the Energy flow.

Observation #14: Observation regarding the rising of muladhar chakra at muladhar

Observation #14: Observation regarding the rising of muladhar chakra at muladhar

Now we get to the next stage of visibility as to activation of chakras

I have been practicing kapalbhati as per the practice discussed  in earlier observations - A force full pulling of abdominal muscles upwards towards the spine. this is a regular excercise since about 20th april and with no break even for a day

Observations as below:

while pulling the muscles it is observed that the testicles are pulled as well with clear and visible movement upwards.
As well it has been observed that the moola bandha or anal muscles also get contracted and the valve is closed and pulled up inwards as well

It is been described in some writings that the muladhar chakra resides in between the point of urinal and anal openings.

When the kapalbhati is practiced it is observed that the testicles and anal valve are pulled up and inwards in every exhale.

If I observe the movement keeping the eye closed it seems as if both ends of an imaginary line are pulled up with every breath.

The muladhar chakra if residing in between would defiinitely get the pull upwards along with the movement of testicles and the anal valve. Its like to pull a lid out we grab 2 opposite ends and pull so that the hard stuck portion in between comes out as well.

Am pretty sure that its just matter of time when the mooladhar is pulled along with the testicles and moola bandha to enable it to activate itself!!

Also A bit worried about the naadi shodhan practice as still the entire length of spine is not being felt while inhaling with alternate nostrils.

Need to ensure that the chakra energy reaches for the base of spine to move further up. if that point is not identified then it would be difficult to channelise the energy. 

Observation #13 : Getting a new light on the meditative position and props

Observation #13 : Getting a new light on the meditative position and props

imagining a meditative posture and one immediately imagines a white bearded yogi/sadhu purush sitting in a straight posture, in sukhasana or padmasana, with hands on knees and a Y shaped stick and a kamandaluby the side!

as per the meditation practices followed, pranayama by far seems the only activity to be labelled as meditation as well apart from naama japa.

While meditation then the logical explanation of kamandalu is to sip small amounts of water as throat may get dry with the chanting and meditation activity.

The Y Shaped stick is a mystery. as the stick is shown used by sadhus while holding the japa counting beaded maala. logically, this Y shaped stick is not required just to hold the mala as it doesnt make a difference in counting ease even if mala is held in hand rested on Y Stick or wrist is rested on the knees.

One Logical Explanation as further :  Pranayama kriya has anulom-vilom/Naadi Shodhan kriya as a prominant kriya and to be done as slowly as possible for long durations. This involves alternate closing and opening of nostrils for which the hand doing this is require to be holding the nose for long times. the Y Stick is perfect for supporting the hand holding the nose by the elbow. hence it is the prop used to enable person to do the anulom-nilom/naadi shodhan kriyaas for long times.

Another relevation for the posture of meditation as well

it is required that the spine be perfectly straight while doing the kriyas, Non Erect spine may result in unexpected results and hence of utmost importance. the hands if kept straight (without bending) reach till the knees. Typically the wrists rest on the knees.

So When a person slouches, or relaxes or bends, the wrists of the straight hands would slide down the knees. This would be an indication to sit up straight and improve on your posture.

Observation #12 : Mental Concentration Technique

Observation #12 : Mental Concentration Technique

With Few weeks past doing pranayam it seems that the mental concentration is still far from the beginning even

With no clue how to concentrate, I started with the old way of concentrating between eyebrows like we used to do as a game with finger at the centre of both eyebrows and at a small distance of abt 10mm

While doing the same similar feelings have been triggered with Head starting to ache a little bit. Theres a speedy dizziness felt with head spinning a bit as well.

Queer thing observed is that you remain in state of headache even if you inhale and exhale breaths. This means that the Omkar along with the breaths may be only to take the person in that stage and may not be required to be continued once the person is in there.

But this stage cannot be with mild headache which is felt right now.

May be This feeling will reside with practice..

This seems the only way for mind to focus and concentrate.

Observation #11 : Dizzy feeling while meditating

Observation #11 : Dizzy feeling while meditating

Yesterday there was a new indication while meditating.

Felt very dizzy and almost involuntarily went down to shawasana after meditation. Had not done shawasana in almost more than 3 weeks.

Shawasana was approx for 15 min in which I was practically snoring !

Came back to senses without any provocation or intervention to wake me up. feeling as relaxed one but in normal parameters not noticeably rejuvenating or such.

But feel this is the first indication of mind getting steady. We keep body still .. and we try and also get the mind still. the only thing mind knows till now by being still is sleeping. so is the first reaction of falling asleep

Did not get the similar drowsiness today.

but was fresh start for the day  today as well.

Yesterday came across another pranayama kriya modification which says to breathe in through left nostril, move the stomach 16/32/62 times as per capability exhale through right nose. Keep repeating till exhausted.

the above practice to be done 40 days continuously to get results. any lapse even 1 day will have the 40 day counter starting again from scratch!


This and the kapalbhati I have been practising have one thing in common - both talk about pulling the abdominal organs upwards

So Now theres a reference point of doing this for 40 days.. so counter stands at 7 days now...:)

Observation #10: Random Blood Sugar Results & Change in Kapalbhati Kriya

Observation #10: Random Blood Sugar Results 

Undertook Random Blood Sugar test for self.

The Results have shown a high level of sugar at 219

Now This was tested almost after 2 months 

During this time a regular staircases of 4 floors post lunch was followed along with a small stroll as well

Only thing nothing was followed at night and also coupled with very immediatel seelping post dinner.

As well My pranayam sessions are fairly regular as well .

Its only 2 weeks that I have started longer sessions for kapalbhati and also the effective kriya ensuring physical movement of organs in lower abdomen are.

Hopefully this change in kriya should yield improvement in the Sugar tests.

Fairly sad results considering the improved routine .

Also the pranayam is supposed to relieve the allergic body reactions which are still requiring anti allergic to be taken alternate day. the frequency has to reduce with regular practice of long breathing.

Observation #9 : Reasoning as to how can the Lung Capacity increase

Observation #9 : Reasoning as to how can the Lung Capacity increase

Would like to pen down a hypothesis based on some obervations.

Observation is that even when I inhale to my full lung capacity, I can breathe in further after waiting for a while. Then again I can further breath in a small amount of air, this can be continued for few times untill I feel I have to exhale now.
This similar effect is also experienced when you exhale and further try to exhale more before inhaling.

This means that we will neither reach the full lung capacity nor empty the lungs fully devoid of pure or impure air.

We inhale air and exhale in a rate which is much slower than the pulse /heart rate. So while we are inhaling the air, small pouches of air are getting absorbed from the lungs and is creating some space while we are inhaling too. As well in separate chamber pouches of impure air is also getting delivered.

So if we Keeping inhaling slowly we can inhale large volume of air and can continue to do so as the inhaled air is being used up dynamically from lungs. so this intake is being capped not ba the capacity to inhale but the chanber where the impure air is getting concentrated. this is also a limited space where the impure air is geting regularly deposited. This has to be exhaled out.

Here we have different combinations of Inhale and exhale and duration of hold between exhale & inhale and inhale & exhale :

If we hold air after Exhaling (and not inhaling), The Chamber of Fresh Air would get empty(simultaneously Impure air chamber also would get full to brim) and When we hold the breath after Inhaling (and not exhaling), the chamber of Impure air Would get Slowly filled to brim.

For Example we inhale 40 units in first breaths in first inhale, wait and breathe in say 10 more units. we wait again and are able to breathe in say 5 units more. by the time we do this the impure air is getting saturated in lungs and theoritically wud be equal to the intake which is now 55. So when we exhale 55 units, we can intake same amount in next inhale which will be 55 units instead of 40 !!


One More Relevation : Dogs breathe a lot faster than men. Here small check needs to be done whether the rate of breathing of dogs is same as their pulse rate. It also can be the ideal way to breathe as one breathe per pulse is referring to 100 % sync between breathing and pulse rate. every pulse of blood gets 100% pure air absorbed. Hence the name Shwan- bearing Sync with Shwas. Shwaan-Shwaas.

Observation #8 : Nostrils getting moist

Observation #8 : Nostrils getting moist

It is observed that nostrils are getting moist every time the Surya or chandra Shodhan Kriya is performed. Dont knw the significance of this observation as of now.

Observation #7 : Max. Air going to lungs

Observation #7 : Max. Air going to lungs

As observed, In the voluntary breathing, 80% of the air intake now seems to go directly to lungs. The only amount of Air going towards stomach is the one which enters to cover the existing space in stomach.

Though with further practice this air flow towards stomach may further get reduced.

This may be mainly due to the slow breathing practiced while doing pranayama.

Also,

A little study has made me understand how slow and prolonged breathing will increase the lung capacity over rushed and bulk breath intake

Lungs comprise of very fine network of small alveoli. the Air Reaches at these which are sorrounded by pulminary capillaries which have the blood flowing, it is at this juncture that the exchange of gases take place on principles of diffusion. Oxygen gets diffused into blood and carbon dioxide moves in opposite direction from blood capillaries  to alveoli.

the Larger the surface area for this activity to take place, the more effective will be the process.

Now considering this process, It will be more affective absorption of air into this surface if the flow is slow and prolonged rather than a burst of air coming in at one instance. 

We may have more area of alveolis filled with air if the inflow of breath is slow and prolonged (as it will keep filling smaller pockets rather than a burst of air ( Chances of the burst damaging the smaller pockets rather than filling it)

Still Have not understood the sync which exists with the pace of breathing and the pulse at which the blood flows inprocess absorbing the pure oxygen and giving out impure air in lungs.

Normally We breathe about 12-14 breaths a minute and the blood runs about 75-80 pulses a minute
It remains to be understood how this is sync with each other.

Next point of Study..

Observation #6 : Diaphragm being pushed down

Observation #6 : Diaphragm being pushed down 

It has been Observed that while doing the slow breathing, naturally through the blocked nostril and intentionally through the open nostril, the air intake is ensured to be going to the lungs only and not towards the stomach.
Also while lungs get filled to the full, the additional air intake pushes the diaphragm down to accomodate extra air.

Hence it has been understood ho prolonged breathing (and not breathing big breaths) creates additional capacity for lungs. 

Big breaths which we used to conventionally breathe were causing huge volumes of air gushing in and hence filling the food and wind pipe together .. and hence resulting in half the volume going towards stomach and lung capacity remaining the same. As well creating all sorts of complications with the air going towards stomach.

Change in Kriya#2 : Nostrils getting clear / Slow breathing through blocked nostrils

Change in Kriya#2 : Nostrils getting clear / Slow breathing through blocked nostrils

It Was again observed that Heavy amount of mucus got expelled through nose. This had happened almost 3 weeks back.

Also there has been another observation.

Thoug we find that at any point in time, either of the nostrils is blocked, While doing surya bhedan or chandra bhedan pranayama or Anulom-Vilom, We can take very slow breaths through the blocked nostril even. 

This required the breath to be taken in very slowly. Also we may require the other nostril to be controlled so as to have similar slow breathing from the open nostril as well.

This process when followed results in very slow process of surya bhedan/chandra bhedan/anulom-vilom kriya. 

Due to this one more relevation happened. The slow process also implies that one may have his arm paining due to operation of nostrils by fingers. It was understod that the Y shaped stick carried by sadhus may indeed be the support to be provided for hand operating the nostrils !

Observation #5 :Effect is after the kriya

Observation #5 :Effect is after the kriya

Link the earlier observation of the mucus or gases observed while doing the kapalbhati or other kriyas, just found out that the effect of all kriyaas is observed at the end of the kriya or when the asana is done. 

The above observations with opening of both the nostrils is also observed when I followed the end of session with a shavasana.

Now How far is this useful and supporting any conclusion or derivation to something,, dont know as of now.

Observation #4 : Mucus dripping down the throat and Gases getting accumulated in stomach

Observation #4 : Mucus dripping down the throat and Gases getting accumulated in stomach

• Below are 2 observations seen fairly regularly while performing the pranayama :

1. Feel the impurities and mucus tend to drip down through the throat. There is a tendency to clear the throat every once in a while.

2. Feel the gases getting accumulated in stomach as we do the kapalbhati and Bahya Pranayama.

I have the habit to produce a artificial burp hence can take out the gases. Even if I dont, the gases come out as a burp. No foul smell or anything. 

This has been regular observation now for past few weeks.

• The average breadth length incl breathe in & out and excluding any retention times is around 35-40 sec for me.

• Understanding also is that in bhastrika and anulom vilom, the breath in : breathe out ration has to be higher than 1:2 (i.e.,If you take in the breathe slowly for say 5 sec, then the breathe out needs to be slower than 10 sec)