The Equinox (Volume I, Number IV)

September 5th, 12,15-12.52 p-m. p.m. 5.25-6.26 p.m. p.m. 9.25-9.50 p.m. p.m. 6th. 9.20-9.50 am, am, 6.10-6.40 p.m. p.m, THE EQUINOX Heard the following sounds: (1) A noise as of blood filtering through. (2) The tramp of armed men. This grew more distant on closing ears, (3) The noise of a distant Siren, This grew stronger on closing ears. (For a short time I distinctly saw the head of a nun in the centre of the Chakkra.) Fifty-two Suddhi-Kumbhakas or Pranayamas. 5. ro. 20 for 30 minutes. 10, 15. 30 for 6 minutes. Pranayama. 5. 10. 20 for 31 minutes without any breaks. Dharana on the Shiva Pantacle given me by Maitrananda Swami, mentally muttering “Aum Shivaya Vashi.” * Nothing particular occurred, though (were I not fixed in the know- ledge of the vanity of physiological tests) I should judge my weight had diminishedt The A’sana gave no pain till I moved. I had my eyes turned up to the third eye. Vivekananda says: “vibration of body” is the second stage of Pranayama. I get this, but put it down to weakness, Dharana on tip of nose for five minutes, Heard a voice saying: “And if you’re passing, won’t you?” Concentration on any organ seems to make it very sensitive—a fleck of down lighting on my nose made me jump. Pranayama, Three cycles of 7 minutes (ze. Twelve cycles of 5. 10. 20=one cycle of 7 minutes) with intervals of 3 minutes after each cycle. Pranayama. Two cycles of 5.10.20. The counting got mixed and things seem to tend to get buzzy and obscure. Found it difficult to follow clearly the second-hand of a watch. One cycle of 4 minutes of 10. 20. 30. * A Mantra, Shi= Peace, Va= Power. It means “Thy peace by power increasing In me by power to peace.” + The four characteristic results of Pranayama are (1) perspiration; (2) rigidity; (3) jumping about like a frog; (4) levitation. P. never experienced this last result. But it is possible that, if there was an actual loss of weight, that this was at least a step towards it. 158