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happens so in sickness, in negotiating an ascent, and when the mind is charged with great emotion. In a state of excitement, one breathes in and out at the rate of 40 breaths per minute. Overwhelmed by lust, the breath moves at the rate of 60-70.
Q. Is longevity in any way connected with breath?
Ans. There is no direct connection as such. But breath is a factor in experiencing the atoms of longevity. Thus, breath may be said to be indirectly connected with long life. Short breath consumes more atoms of longevity, whereas slow breath consumes fewer. The number of atoms is fixed in respect of each man. But the rate at which these atoms are consumed determines the length of time; it determines whether a man has a long or a shorter life. For example, suppose a man collects provisions to last for a month. But if guests arrive unexpectedly and food has to be prepared for them, the provisions are exhausted before the month is over. The same is the condition about the atoms of longevity. More atoms of long life are consumed in a comparatively shorter time, with an increase in the rate of consumption.
Q. The masters of yoga give as much importance to pranayama as to meditation. What place, if any, has pranayama in the practice of preksha meditation?
Ans. One of the steps in breath perception is breathcontrol. Control of breath is a kind of pranayama. Pranayama has three elements-inhalation, exhalation and kumbhak, i.e., the holding of breath. Kumbhak is the cessation of breathing, and during the practice of breath-control, the breath is slowed down gradually to the point of extinction. Breath-control is an important method to ensure peace of mind and to break
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