Vichāra-saṅgraham 25-26: Breath Control
Channel: Consciousness Research Centre
Date: 2022-02-23

25. Devotee: How is breath-control the means for mind-control?

Mahārṣi: There is no doubt that breath-control is the means for mind-control: because the mind, like breath, is a part of air; because the nature of mobility is common to both; because the place of origin is the same for both; and because when one of them is controlled the other gets controlled.

26. Devotee: Since breath-control leads only to quiescence of the mind (manolāya) and not to its destruction (manonāsa), how can it be said that breath-control is the means for enquiry which aims at the destruction of mind?

Mahārṣi: The scriptures teach the means for gaining Self-realization in two modes—as the yoga with eight limbs (aṣṭāṅga-yoga) and as knowledge with eight limbs (aṣṭāṅga-jñāṇa). By regulation of breath (prāṇāyama) or by absolute retention thereof (kevala-kumbhaka), which is one of the limbs of yoga, the mind gets controlled. Without leaving the mind at that, if one practises the further discipline such as withdrawal of the mind from externals objects (pratyāhara), then at the end, Self-realization which is the fruit of enquiry will surely be gained.