The question asked during the discourse was -- Does Yogic Breath Control (Kriya Pranayama) work to pacify the negative tendencies of the mind. What is Kriya Pranayama and how does it work?
Om Swami says that he does not believe that Pranayama can pacify the negative tendencies of the mind. With pranayama, when the breath is retained in the body at length and is stopped, it increases awareness for a short period of time. This results in one feeling peaceful for some time, but doesn't last all day. There are 24-28 types of pranayama. The original type of pranayama is called
Nadi Shodhana Pranayama and they may be calling that Kriya Pranayama in Kriya Yoga.
According to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, one is asked to first master Abstinence (Yama), Observances (Niyama), Still Posture (Asana), and then pranayama -- In that order. Mastering a still posture is important before attempting pranayama, otherwise, it can cause damage, rather than be beneficial. The tendencies of the mind are pacified by resolve and expansion. There is no 'Kriya' to pacify the negative tendencies of the mind.
In terms of Pranayama, one is qualified to do it if they can sit still for long enough. Pranayama is so powerful in its own right that a person doesn't need to do anything else. But this doesn't mean that the negative tendencies of the mind will be pacified, for that there are other methods.
Video Timeline:
0:14 Can Kriya Pranayama pacify negative tendencies of the mind
0:44 Effect of Pranayama
1:24 Types of Pranayama
2:00 What is important for Pranayama Practice
2:44 How does one calm the tendencies of the mind
7:12 What qualifies one to do Pranayama
Intro and outro animation: Sushree Svadha Om
Piano music: Adi Sharma
If you enjoyed this video and would like to explore the topic more, here's a blog post by Om Swami:
"In the ocean of your mind, when it comes to the waves of thoughts, you have three choices , a, surf and accept the highs and lows, b, watch the waves and put up with the constant sound of the sea, c, move away from the ocean altogether." --- https://os.me/the-anatomy-of-a-thought/
BREATHE / SMILE / LET GO
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