Demystifying Prana - Reality and Myths

me: Namaste Swamiji!! I started reading this scientist Wilhelh Reich ..he developed systems to measure this energy which he called Orgone in 1930's...this looked very similar to what yoga talks of Pranic energy. Swami ji, i wanted to know about Pranic energy
Master Akshara: Tell me your understanding of it as of now
or even some experience somewhere
or having met someone
or heard anything
..

me: My understanding is very basic and i don't think i have any experience...all hearing is from people who teach yoga talking about it. As per my understanding about it, it is a energy prevailing in universe and humans gather it through breating, food etc..It should ideally flow freely in the body if there is some block or lack of balance, then it may cause physical problems in body maybe it is what we call vitality.

Scientifically if i think about it, it could be the dark energy which scientists are unable to measure in universe but are sure that it exists. Reiki, Chi etc.. talk of same energy but i do not have any observable experience neither i have seen much physical benefits of any yogic exercise or pranayama..though i must admit that i have not been very regular
Master Akshara: I understand that Puneet !


me: What surprises me somewhat is that why Science does not accept it when whole eastern systems are built around it
Master Akshara: It is never in the Vedas though or any older scriptures......though there is a mentioning of pranas a lot in Vedas.......but to make it a exclusive thing is by the new age healers..

me: So, Prana is not exclusive means it is in combination with something...i am not clear
Master Akshara: Prana is just the vital air sheath. It is one of the five elements

1. Space
2. Air (prana)
3. Fire (agni)
4. water (jala)
5. Earth (pritvi)

me: How is this vital air different from normal air we breathe..
Master Akshara: Nothing....just that it modifies itself in many ways when it enters the human body as 5 different modes
1. prana
2. apana
3. vyana
4. udana
5. samana
each one with unique function of its own..

me: So it depends on the way one breathes or some other physiological reason...also i have no idea of what each one represents. Can humans have any possible control over these different modes?
Master Akshara: The control freaks generally like to control everything :). Rather it should be balanced.....
- samana vayu helps digesting
- apana vayu helps ecacuating whats eaten
- udhana vayu can circulate blood
- prana in general sustains life..
these pranas should function in balance, then its called healthy living. If there is imbalance, then one end up in vomiting.

me: ok, thats why you mentioned that prana in exclusivity is not all that is important...the balance involves all the modes...You mentioned physical importance of these modes...Is there any other psychological relation of these
Master Akshara: Yes prana also is the glue that joins body and mind..it influences both body and mind. So when in anger your breathing gets shorter and hotter; then the Yoga Shastra says breath long when you feel anger, then the anger vanishes..

me: So, our emotions and passions probably disrupt normal breating and that may manifest as a physical condition due to imbalance
Master Akshara: Precisely..

me: So deep breathing and other kinds of Pranayama can balance the existing imbalances....
Master Akshara: Exactly

me: I understand that, i have other queries...can Prana be transferred from other ways apart from Air
Master Akshara: Then its not called as Prana but just some psychic effects

me: How are they different and are they real or just imaginations
Master Akshara: If you hear a bad news then it may cause head ache or see someone 'bad' then it may cause headache or discomfort in stomach these are called psychological effects.
The aches are real but the way it is acquired is NOT. So also the new age remedies bring goodness but they are just psychological..

me: I understand that and i think it pertains to remedies i usually hear like Reiki, Aura healing etc...So apart from Pranayama, what is the right way to balance and live in a way that imbalances do not occur
Master Akshara: A expanded understanding of life will sustain balance which is easier said than done..

me: And what is required to bring this expanded understanding..basically how do i know about the gaps and bridge them
Master Akshara: The gaps are largely between your present and your past and your future if they are bridged, then it all become one WHOLE then you are expanded in understanding..

me: Are ways like Tai chi helpful in bridging it
Master Akshara: Tai Chi helps harmonizing the body and mind due to the graceful movements of the body......and followed awareness on body with rhythmic breathing accompanies
but that's just balancing act..and nothing to do with some special air coming from Hong Kong harbor and enter into your body and bring all the goodies.....Its the New Age Merchants who promote such exclusive ideas about some special pranas (stored only in their custody) which are released at their behest and can heal this world etc..

me: I undestand that difference now.....also i understand that awareness can bring the extended understanding
Master Akshara: Bravo !!! Grosser the mind greater the choices of finding solutions and subtler the mind, then there is just ONE answer to everything.....and that's why subtler people go into silence.....as if going into silence but the truth is there is nothing much to talk about......and Truth is ONE. We meet up later on again..

me: Namaste Swami ji!!
Master Akshara: Namaste Puneet !