WEH NOTE: The Liber omits sections 0 and 1 in earlier publication in
EQUINOX I, 7 as well as here. There are signs that this version has been edited,
notably changes were made in punctuation and capitalization. The editing appears
to be defective, with some material omitted inadvertently. There is one original
footnote, and the others are mine. There was also a photo page in the EQUINOX
version.
- Let the Zelator observe the current of his breath.
- Let him investigate the following statements, and prepare a careful record
of research.
- Certain actions induce the flow of the breath through the right nostril
(Pingala); and, conversely, the flow of the breath through Pingala induces
certain actions.
- Certain other actions induce the flow of the breath through the left
nostril (Ida), and conversely.
- Yet a third class of actions induce the flow of the breath through both
nostrils at once (Sushumna), and conversely.
- The degree of mental and physical activity is interdependent with the
distance from the nostrils at which the breath can be felt by the back
of the hand.
- First practice. --- Let him concentrate his mind upon the act of
breathing, saying mentally, "The breath flows in", "the breath
flows out", and record the results. [This practice may resolve itself
into Mahasatipatthana (vide Liber XXV) or induce Samadhi. Whichever occurs
should be followed up as the right Ingenium of the Zelator, or the advice
of his Practicus, may determine.]
- Second practice. Pranayama. --- This is outlined in Liber E. Further,
let the Zelator accomplished in those practices endeavour to master a cycle
of 10, 20, 40 or even 16, 32, 64. But let this be done gradually and with
due caution. And when he is steady and easy both in Asana and Pranayama, let
him still further increase the period.
Thus let him investigate these statements which follow: ---
- If Pranayama be properly performed, the body will first of all become
covered with sweat. This sweat is different in character from that customarily
induced by exertion. If the Practitioner rub this sweat thoroughly into
his body, he will greatly strengthen it.
- The tendency to perspiration will sto˙ as the practice is continued,
and the body become automatically rigid.
Describe this rigidity with minute accuracy.
- The state of automatic rigidity will develop into a state characterised
by violent spasmodic movements of which the Practitioner is unconscious,
but of whose result he is aware. This result is that the body hops gently
from place to place. After the first two or three occurrences of this
experience, Asana is not lost. The body appears (on another theory) to
have lost its weight almost completely and to be moved by an unknown force.
- As a development of this stage, the body rises into the air, and remains
there for an appreciably long period, from a second to an hour or more.
Let him further investigate any mental results which may occur.
- Third Practice. --- In order both to economise his time and to
develo˙ his powers, let the Zelator practise the deep full breathing which
his preliminary exercises will have taught him during his walks. Let him repeat
a sacred sentence (mantra) or let him count, in such a way that his footfall
beats accurately with the rhythm thereof, as is done in dancing. Then let
him practise Pranayama, at first without the Kumbhakam,
WEH NOTE: Equinox spells this "Kumbakham" in this spot
only.
and paying no attention to the nostrils otherwise than to keep them clear.
Let him begin by an indrawing of the breath for 4 paces, and a breathing
out for 4 paces. Let him increase this gradually to 6.6, 8.8, 12.12, 16.16
and 24.24, or more if he be able. Next let him practise in the proper prportion
4.8, 6.12, 8.16, 12.24 and so on. Then if he choose, let him recommence
the series, adding a gradually increasing period of Kumbhakam.
WEH NOTE: Equinox spells this "Kumbhakham".
- Fourth practice. --- Following on this third practice, let him
quicken his mantra and his pace until the walk develops into a dance. This
may also be practised with the ordinary waltz step, using a mantra in three-time,
such as GR:epsilon-pi-epsilon-lambda-theta-omicron-nu, GR:epsilon-pi-epsilon-lambda-theta-omicron-nu,
GR:Alpha-rho-tau-epsilon-mu-iota-sigma; or Iao, Iao Sabao; in such cases the
practice may be combined with devotion to a particular deity: see Liber CLXXV.
For the dance as such it is better to use a mantra of a non-committal character,
such as GR:Tau-omicron GR:epsilon-iota-nu-alpha-iota, GR:Tau-omicron GR:Kappa-alpha-lambda-omicron-nu,
GR:Tau-omicron 'GR:Alpha-gamma-alpha-delta-omicron-nu,
WEH NOTE: The Equinox has this last word as:"' GR:gamma-alpha-theta-alpha-nu"
or the like.
- Fifth practice. --- Let him practice mental concentration during
the dance, and investigate the following experiments:
- The dance becomes independent of the will.
- Similar phenomena to those described in 5 (a), (b), (c), (d), occur.
- A note concerning the depth and fullness of the breathing. In all prper
expiration the last possible portion of air should be expelled. In this the
muscles of the throat, chest, ribs, and abdomen must be fully employed, and
aided by the pressing of the upper arms into the flanks, and of the head into
the thorax.
In all proper inspiration the last possible portion of air must be drawn into
the lungs.
In all proper holding of the breath, the body must remain absolutely still.
Ten minutes of such practice is ample to induce profuse sweating in any place
of a temperature of 17 Degree C or over.
The progress of the Zelator in acquiring a depth and fullness of breath should
be tested by the respirometer.
The exercises should be carefully graduated to avoid overstrain and possible
damage to the lungs.
This depth and fullness of breath should be kept as much as possible, even
in the rapid exercises, with the exception of the sixth practice following.
- Sixth Practice. --- Let the Zelator breathe as shallowly and rapidly
as possible. He should assume the attitude of his moment of greatest expiration,
and breathe only with the muscles of his throat. He may also practice lengthening
the period between each shallow breathing.
This may be combined, when acquired, with concentration on the Visuddhi cakkra,
i.e. let him fix his mind unwaveringly upon a point in the spine opposite
the larynx.)
WEH NOTE: In the Equinox this parenthetic paragraph is identified
as an editorial comment.
WEH NOTE: from this point, the text in the Equinox diverges from
this text. There is an additional step: "11. "Seventh practice."
Let the Zelator breathe as deeply and rapidly as possible." The step
numbered here as "Seventh" is labeled "Eighth" in
the Equinox.
- Seventh practice. --- Let the Zelator practise restraint of breathing
in the following manner. At any stage of breathing let him suddenly hold the
breath, enduring the need to breathe until it passes, returns, and passes
again, and so on until consciousness is lost, either rising to Samadhi or
similar supernormal condition, or falling into oblivion.
- Ninth practice. -- Let him practice the usual forms
of Pranayama, but let Kumbhakam be used after instead of before expiration.
Let him gradually increase the period of this Kumbhakam as in the case of
the other.
- A note concerning the conditions of these experiments.
The conditions favourable are dry, bracing air, a warm climate, absence of
wind, absence of noise, insects and all other disturbing influences,
Note that in the early stages of concentration of the mind, such
annoyances become negligible.
a retired situation, simple food eaten in great moderation at the conclusion
of the practices of morning and afternoon, and on no account before practising.
Bodily health is almost essential, and should be most carefully guarded
(See Liber CLXXXV, "Task of a Neophyte"). A diligent and tractable
disciple, or the Practicus of the Zelator, should aid him in his work. Such
a disciple should be noiseless, patient, vigilant, prompt, cheerful, of
gentle manner and reverent to his master, intelligent to anticipate his
wants, cleanly and gracious, not given to speech, devoted and unselfish.
With all this he should be fierce and terrible to strangers and all hostile
influences, determined and vigorous, increasingly vigilant, the guardian
of the threshold.
It is not desirable that the Zelator should employ any other creature than
a man, save in cases of necessity. Yet for some of these purposes a dog
will serve, for others a woman. There are also others appointed to serve,
but these are not for the Zelator.
- Tenth Practice. --- Let the Zelator experiment if he will with
inhalations of oxygen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and other gases mixed
in small proportion with his air during his practices. These experiments are
to be conducted with caution in the presence of a medical man of experience,
and they are only useful as facilitating a simulacrum of the results of the
proper practices and thereby enheartening the Zelator.
- Eleventh practice. --- Let the Zelator at an time during the practices,
especially during the periods of Kumbhakam, throw his will utterly towards
his Holy Guardian Angel, directing his eyes inward and upward, and turning
back his tongue as if to swallow it. (This latter operation is facilitated
by severing the fraenum linguae, which, if done, should be done by a competent
surgeon. We do not advise this or any similar method of cheating difficulties.
This is, however, harmless.)
WEH NOTE: Harmless, that is, if you don't mind the danger of choking
to death in your sleep!
In this manner the practice is to be raised from the physical to the spiritual-plane,
even as the words Ruh, Ruach, Pneuma, Spiritus, Geist, Ghost, and indeed
words of almost all languages, have been raised from their physical meanings
of wind,
WEH NOTE: The Equinox adds "air," to this list.
breath, or movement, to the spiritual plane. (RV is the old root meaning
Yoni and hence Wheel (Fr. roue, Lat. rota, wheel) and the corresponding
Semitic root means "to go". Similarly spirit is connected with
"spiral". -- Ed.)
- Let the Zelator attach no credit to any statements that may have been made
throughout the course of this instruction, and reflect that even the counsel
which we have given as suitable to the average case may be entirely unsuitable
to his own.
