The Myths and Truths of Exhale

1 year ago By Yogi Anoop

"The Myths and Truths Behind 'Each Breath Could be the Last': Yogi Anoop Views on this” 

Student:  I recently read an article about thinking of each breath as if it could be our last one. I found it interesting but wasn't sure about the effectiveness of this practice. What do you think about it?

Yogi Anoop: Well, thinking of each breath as if it could be our last one is often suggested by many gurus to cultivate mindfulness and live in the present moment. However, in my experience, this method is not effective in achieving the depth of pranayama practices or becoming disease-free.

Student: Why do you think that is the case?

Yogi Anoop: If the idea behind it is to live in the present moment, then it is incorrect, as one cannot think while living fully in the present moment. The person who is living fully in the present moment cannot even think about it because their thinking process is automatically paused. Even the other senses are temporarily paused.

Student: Can you give an example of this?

Yogi Anoop: Sure. Sometimes when we are eating delicious food, there are moments when our ears become closed, meaning we cannot hear some of the things that others are saying. This is because during the time of relishing the taste of the food, our mind cannot pay attention to the sounds coming from our ears for a moment. At the same time, during the state of complete experience of the taste of the food, the state of the mind's imaginative activity becomes absent. Due to the busyness of the mind in the complete experience of taste, its wings (the tendency to create form, color, and shape) go into a state of rest for a short time.

Student: That makes sense. So, what do you suggest instead?

Yogi Anoop: The meaning of pranayama is not just about inhaling, exhaling, and holding your breath. It is a scientific process through which an attempt is made to touch the depths of the mind. In Jnana Yoga, an attempt is made to explain these secrets, through which one can calm and stabilize their own mind through pranayama, and at the same time, make themselves healthy.

Student: How can one calm and stabilize their own mind through pranayama?

Yogi Anoop: In my personal experience, there are only two ways to calm and stabilize the mind - one is to immerse it in the experience of an object, and the other is to immerse it in the experience of oneself. Just as when eating, the mind's wandering thoughts and imagination stop for that time when one is immersed in the experience of the taste of food, in the same way, when a practitioner begins to experience themselves, their wandering thoughts and imagination come to a halt. The same way during the pranayama, one should feel the breath, and try to feel inner self satisfaction at the same practising time. 

Student: That's very interesting. So, what should a practitioner do while exhaling?

Yogi Anoop: If a practitioner tries to experience the last breath while exhaling, it means he is trying to have a contrived experience. When the breath leaves the body, one should experience what is happening in the body and senses, so that the mind can move into emptiness. Note that when the body is naturally expelling toxins, it brings great spiritual happiness. This happiness is not only for the soul but also for all the limbs. That is why I always try to make my disciples experience this natural way through pranayama.

Remember, pranayama is a powerful tool to calm and stabilize the mind and to improve one's overall health. It's important to approach it with the right mindset and understanding.

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