Elongating breath

Source: http://swamij.com/breath.htm#retention

In basic breathing, one eliminates the pause between the breaths. For one doing retention practices, which are different practices, a pause is intentionally created so as to arouse energy. 

Eliminate the pause completely: However, there is another way to deal with the pause and retention. That is, eliminate the pause completely, and then gently, over time allow the breath to elongate. Reflect on this for a moment, and you will come to see that elongating the breath gradually leads to a virtual retention of breath, though without actively restraining it. When the breath naturally becomes very slow, it is as if, it is not moving at all. 

Allowing breath to slow: Lie on your back in the corpse posture, and put your attention on the navel center, or going up and down the spine. You can gradually allow the speed of breath to slow, though still having no pause. 

• 10 second breath: When you notice it naturally slow to about a 10-second breath (exhalation and inhalation), there will be relaxation. 
• 15-20 second breath: When it slows naturally to about 15-20 seconds (3-4 breaths per minute) you will be quite relaxed (presuming it feels natural, not forced). 
• 30-60 second breath: When it naturally slows to about 30-60 seconds for one breath (1-2 breaths per minute), you will be at the doorway of deep meditation, provided you are not straining, and do not sleep. 
• 90 second breath: A rate of 90 seconds for one breath can be used as a target to aim for, allowing six months or more to reach this level. To do this naturally, without straining will probably require having a well balanced life, regular physical exercise, a healthy diet, and regular sleep. 
• Towards Samadhi: These slower breathing rates gradually move one towards deep meditation and Samadhi. 
• The masters: A Yoga master might have only one breath in 10 minutes (though we need not pursue this, or feel that this is necessary to have deep meditation or Samadhi; actually it comes as a result of Samadhi) 

The practice of eliminating the pause and elongating the breath
is a most direct route,
or short cut. 

A short cut: This process of Elongating the breath is thus a short-cut (direct route) for most people. It is very gentle, and very loving to your body, nervous system and your mind. It allows you to progress at your own, natural rate. 

The simple is advanced: Oddly, this practice seems too simple, too basic, but this simple practice is profound and is quite advanced. This is one of the reasons that people are usually told to not meditate lying down. Usually you will go to sleep. For meditation, the corpse posture is an advanced practice. However, if you can lie down in the corpse posture, and yet remain wide awake while the breath slows, it will take you very deep. The key is to be gentle, patient, and to stay awake. Remember that it is best to have a healthy lifestyle, good food, exercise, and regular sleep.

Ramana Maharshi on Samadhi

Source: from David Godman’s Book "Be As You Are" 

Question: What is Samadhi? 
Ramana Maharshi: The state in which the unbroken experience of existence-consciousness is attained by the still mind, alone is Samadhi. That still mind which is adorned with the attainment of the limitless supreme Self, alone is the reality of God. When the mind is in communion with the Self in darkness, it is called Nidra [sleep], that is, the immersion of the mind in ignorance. Immersion in a conscious or wakeful state is called Samadhi. Samadhi is continuous inherence in the Self in a waking state. Nidra or sleep is also inherence in the Self but in an unconscious state. In Sahaja Samadhi the communion is continuous. 


Question: What are Kevala Nirvikalpa Samadhi and Sahaja Nirvikalpa Samadhi? 
Ramana Maharshi: The immersion of the mind in the Self, but without its destruction, is Kevala Nirvikalpa Samadhi. In this state one is not free from Vasanas and so one does not therefore attain Mukti. Only after the Vasanas have been destroyed can one attain liberation. 


Question: When can one practice Sahaja Samadhi? 
Ramana Maharshi: Even from the beginning. Even though one practices Kevala Nirvikalpa Samadhi for years together, if one has not rooted out the Vasanas one will not attain liberation. 


Question: May I have a clear idea of the difference between Savikalpa and Nirvikalpa? 
Ramana Maharshi: Holding on to the supreme state is Samadhi. When it is with effort due to mental disturbances, it is Savikalpa. When these disturbances are absent, it is Nirvikalpa. Remaining permanently in the primal state without effort is Sahaja. 


Question: Is Nirvikalpa Samadhi absolutely necessary before the attainment of Sahaja? 
Ramana Maharshi: Abiding permanently in any of these Samadhis, either Savikalpa or Nirvikalpa, is Sahaja [the natural state]. What is body-consciousness? It is the insentient body plus consciousness. Both of these must lie in another consciousness which is absolute and unaffected and which remains as it always is, with or without the body-consciousness. What does it then matter whether the body-consciousness is lost or retained, provided one is holding on to that pure consciousness? Total absence of body-consciousness has the advantage of making the Samadhi more intense, although it makes no difference to the knowledge of the Supreme.


Definition of the term Vasana from Wikipedia: Past impressions, impressions formed; the impression of anything in the mind, the present consciousness formed from past perceptions, knowledge derived from memory; thinking of, longing for, expectation, desire, inclination.

Swami Sevaratna

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