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Hatha Yoga: The Yogi Philosophy of Physical Well-Being1878
the consequence is that the Instinctive Mind is unable to execute the proper
orders, and both it and certain of the cell-groups become demoralized
and scarcely know what to do—bad habits springing up and replacing the
natural habit. Sometimes something akin to a rebellion springs up in some
of the cell-groups, resulting no doubt from some interruption in the natural
course of their government, the introduction of strange customs causing
a confusion. At times it seems that some of the smaller groups (and even
some of the larger on certain occasions) go on “a strike,” rebelling against
unaccustomed and improper work forced upon them—working overtime—
and similar causes, such as a lack of proper nourishment. These little cells
often act just as would men under the same circumstances—the analogy is
often startling to the observer and investigator. These rebellions, or strikes,
seem to spread if matters are not arranged, and even when matters are
patched up the cells seem to return to their work in a sullen manner, and
instead of doing the best they know how they will do as little as possible,
and just when they feel like it. A restoration of normal conditions, resulting
from increased nutrition, proper attention, etc., will gradually bring about
a return to normal conditions, but matters may be expedited by giving the
cell-groups direct orders from the Will. It is astonishing how soon order
and discipline may be restored in this manner. The higher Yogis have a
wonderful control over the involuntary system and can act directly upon
nearly every cell in their body. And even some of the so-called Yogis of
the cities of India—those little more than mountebanks, who exhibit their
performances for so many coppers from each wandering traveler—are
able to give interesting exhibitions of this control, some of the exhibitions,
however, being disgusting to persons of fine sensibilities and painful to the
real Yogis, who mourn to see a noble science prostituted in this way.
The trained will is able to act directly upon these cells and groups by a
simple process of direct concentration, but this plan requires much training
on the part of the student. There are other plans whereby the will is called
into operation by the student repeating certain words in order to focus