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THE SCIENCE OF BREATHING
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passivity is not to be understood in the sense of rest altogether, of stopping the functions; it means only the condition in which certain acts requiring passivity ought to be performed, and activity the condition in wbich certain other acts ought to be performed. On these laws we base the science of breathining. There are certain acts acts which ought to be performed only when we are in a passive condition, because they require activity, an ardent and fervent condition of the body, and if we are altogether in a different condition there will be a conflict between the object of the act and the condition of the body and therefore the result would be failure so far as the açt is concerned, or at least, not the success which we wished. But if we perform the act, when in the right condition, the chances will be in our favor. Sometimes when we are sitting still we feel that we wish to go to some other place; so'nehow or other an impression comes to us that we ought to go elsewhere; but if we examine the body by means of the breath we shall see that we are in a positive condition. Sometimes our duty tells us that we ought to go somewhere, but we do not wish to go. What is the reason ? It is that we are in a negative condition. This, however, can be changed. People who have never heard or read of these things, who have acted only on one principle, that of gatting as much happiness through sensuons enjoyment as possible, will have no
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