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The Psychology of Enlightenment
through one nostril, hold the breath, and exhale through the other nostril. For example, based on this ratio, breathe in through your right nostril to the count of 4, then retain the breath for 16 counts, and exhale through the left nostril, counting 8. Wait approximately 15 seconds and repeat the exercise, inhaling through the left nostril and exhaling through the right. Later, according to your capacity, you may increase the number of counts you breathe and retain the breath based on the ratio I have given you.
This breathing exercise practiced at the start of your meditation is an excellent technique for taking oxygen deep into the lungs and into all the blood cells, and releasing the carbon dioxide from the body. It is also useful for calming and focusing the mind. When you have completed this exercise (inhale, retain, exhale) five times, continue with your meditation, feeling your inner purity as you expand into universal space.
Those who meditate on this center will begin to hear the subtle resonance of the universal sound as their sense of hearing becomes increasingly keen. As the first center is connected with the sense of smell; the second, with the sense of taste; the third, with the sense of sight; and the fourth, with the sense of touch; so the fifth center will refine our sense of hearing.
Focusing on your energy at the throat, you will find that your words have a new authority. The same words which were previously rejected by others will now be welcomed by the listening ear. Why? Because the energy behind them will have changed. You will know exactly when, why, and how to speak. You will know when to keep silent. Being in
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