Raja-Yoga

58 RAjA YOGA.
then immediately throwing
it out slowly, and then stop
ping the breath out, using the same numbers. The
only difference is that in the first case the breath was
held in, and in the second, held out. The last is the
easier one. The breathing in which you hold the
breath in the lungs must not be practised too much.
Do it
only four times in the morning, and four times
in the evening. Then you can slowly increase the time
and number. You will find that you have the power
to do so, and that you take pleasure in it. So, very
carefully and cautiously increase as you feel that you
have the power, to six instead of four. It may injure
you if you practise it irregularly.
Of the three processes, the purification of the nerves,
the retaining the breath inside and the keeping the
breath outside, the first and the last are neither diffi
cult nor dangerous. The more you practise the first
one the calmer you will be. Just think of "Om,"
and
you can practise even while you are sitting at your
work. You will be all the better for it. One day,
if
you practise hard the Kundalini will be aroused. For
those who practise once or twice a day, just a little
calmness of
ful voice;
the body and mind will come, and beauti
on further with it
only for those who can go
will this Kundalini be aroused, and the whole of this
nature will begin to change, and the book of knowledge
will be open. No more will you need to go to books
for knowledge; your own mind will have become your
book, containing infinite knowledge. I have already
spoken of the Idd and Pingald currents, flowing through