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THE JOURNEY OF CONSCIOUSNESS
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more we search for truth, the more do the areas of consciousness expand. We also increase our potentials and capabilities in the course of our search for truth.
We utilize only a small part of our knowledge. The rest of it remains only hypothetical knowledge the truth of which is yet to be ascertained. The purpose of sadhanā and perceptive meditation is the search for truth. We are engaged in a perpetual pilgrimage to the shrine of truth. We come across ever newer truths in the course of this pilgrimage. We come to know that there are things in the world that can be changed and that there are things which do not and cannot be changed. We should try to change that which can be change and leave that alone which can not be changed. It is one of principles of sādhanā that we should change that which is transitory and perishable and that which is permanent and changeless will remain what it is. That which is perishable must perish.
We transform ourselves as well as the world through sādhanā. Breach goes on changing. We should, therefore, try to change the phases of breath. The first condition of sādhanā is to change the breathing process. We need a lot of vital energy in order to pursue the unknown. Breath serves as a fuel for vital energy. The more the fuel, more will be the vital energy and the easier our pilgrimage.
One engaged in perceptive meditation must first change short breathing into long breathing. Normally we breath fifteen to seventeen times to a minute. We may either increase or decrease the length of breathing. Impulsive people who are not given to sādhanā take short breath. This is from thirty to fifty or fifty to sixty times/to a minute. The number of inhaling increases in the case of those who are impulsive and passionate. An increased number of breaths and the lessening of its momentum have an adverse effect on mental health. On the other hand, one who is engaged in perceptive meditation takes long breaths. Mild, long and subtle breathing and a change in the direction of breathing are all attempted by the practitioner in order to take to long breathing. This results in peace of mind and the extinction of all kinds of excitements, passions desires and impulses. Short breathing excites passions, desires and impulses. When you come to feel that you are going to be excited, you should immediately begin long breathing. It will
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