VITAL FORCE AS ENERGY

Vital force is one type of energy. It can be called as vital energy. On earth there are number of energies like electrical energy, mechanical energy, heat energy, atomic energy. As such whatever exists on earth, are either in the form of matter or in the form of energy. Even the so called matter is ultimately, nothing but energy.

Physicists have recognized number of energies and discovered rules governing those energies. But science has remained silent as far as vital energy is concern. This is the energy which is responsible for life on earth. The basic characters of life are growth, survival, and reproduction. These characters are seen in all the lives on earth. A very complicated and complex instrument like the computer can perform multiple tasks which any normal human being can not perform. But yet the computer can not have those characters of life i.e. growth, survival and reproduction. No computer can grow by itself or can reproduce baby computers. On the other hand the smallest organism like the amoeba can grow, survive and can reproduce a baby amoeba. All species of earth have existed for millions of years because of this ability to reproduce. As far as life is concerned the smallest creature like amoeba is far more superior to any highly complicated machine produced by the man.

Again it is observed, that the organisms having low vital force, are having limited functions and activities. While the organisms having high vital force are having better abilities, and so they can perform multiple functions. Unicellular organisms like amoeba have very limited functions of growth, survival, and reproduction. While organisms like insects can perform more functions as compared to amoeba. This is because they possess stronger vital force as compared to amoeba. Man is gifted with the highest amount of vital force and hence he can perform multiple tasks as compared to other

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animals. The superiority of man over other animals is due to the higher level of vital force that he possessed

PATHWAYS OF VITAL FORCE

Being the energy it cannot be seen by the naked eye, and nor can it be measured by any instrument. Only its manifestations are felt. As per the yogic philosophy the vital force is stored in the body at specific reservoirs. These reservoirs are called as chakras in yogic terms. The first and basic Chakra is called

Muladhar. It is situated at the lower end of the vertebral column. The last charka of the vital force is situated in the brain; the name of this chakra is Sahastrar. These two chakras are joined by central path which is known as Sushumna. There are two more paths running parallel to Sushumna, the path running on the left side of Sushumna is known as Pingala, and the path on the right of Sushumna is known as Ida. These are the main central paths of vital force. There are six more chakras of vital force. These chakras are situated in the various parts of the body. They are like relay stations of energy. Apart from these main pathways, there are number of smaller pathways which carry vital force to the different and distal parts of the body. It is assumed that there are more than 40,000 such pathways in the body. In yogic terms, these pathways are known as yogic Nadis. It is presumed that vital force flows through these pathways to different parts of the body and to various organs.

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EFFECTS OF BLOCKED PATHWAYS

In normal circumstances, the vital force supplied to each organ and body part, is adequate. With the result all the organs of the body can function normally. But it may happen that some of the pathways may get blocked. With the result some organs may not get adequate amount of vital energy. Lack of vital energy will result into mal-functioning of the organ. Such organs may function with reduced efficiency or may start mal-functioning. This situation may create disturbance in the over all coordination among various organs resulting into disease. As per the yogic belief the prime cause of the disease is disturbance in the normal flow of vital energy.

With the advancement of the age more and more pathways of the vital force are blocked. With the result more and more organs of the body, starts losing its efficiency. So in the old age, people are weak and more vulnerable to various diseases.

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PRANAYAM AND VITAL ENERGY

Pranayam is the process of cleaning and reopening these vital energy pathways. In the yogic terms, such cleaning is called as Nadi Shudhi. Nadi means energy pathways and shudhi means the process of cleaning. The main function of Pranayam is Nadi-Shudhi. Nadi-Shudhi will lead to adequate supply of vital energy to all the parts and organs of the body. With the result all the parts and organs will function with better efficiency. Not only that, but there will be better coordination between the various organs. Such situation will create a healthier body and an efficient mind.

EFFECT OF PRANAYAM ON MIND

Human body is the combination of body and mind. The physical body can not function without the mind and the mind can not function without the body. The mind is decision maker for all the functions of body. It is the mind which takes the decision to act. Body performs all the actions as per the decision of the mind. For the better performance one should have a strong body and a strong mind. Not only that, but there should be a proper coordination between the two.

Yogic nadis connect mind with the body. As such they work as the bridge between the mind and the body. All the commands of the mind are conveyed to the physical body through these energy pathways. If these pathways are blocked or damaged, the coordination between the body and the mind will be disturbed. In such circumstances, all the commands of the mind may not reach to the body organs, or being not pure and clear, those orders may be misunderstood or misinterpreted by the body organs. Once the equilibrium between the mind and the body is disturbed, the body will not be in position to cope with the demand of the mind. In such a situation the person may feel that all his ideas and thoughts cant be put in practice because his body can not fulfill the demand of the mind. For better efficiency and capabilities one should have a

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healthy mind, a healthy body, and an efficient coordination between the two. This can be achieved by the regular practice of Pranayam.

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PHILOSOPHY OF PRANAYAM

Human body performs two types of actions. One is voluntary and second is involuntary. Voluntary means those actions which can be done voluntarily. For example, raising the hand, walking, and running, speaking, etc. are voluntary actions. These actions are voluntary, one may do it, or one may not do it. It all depends upon the persons own volition whether to perform the act or not to perform the act.

But some of the actions are involuntary. These actions are regular beating of the heart, the process of respiration, the process of digestion, liver functions, regular filtration of blood by kidney etc. These are involuntary actions because it is not under voluntary control of the person. One can not stop his heart beating, or digestive process, as per his wish. These actions are controlled by autonomic nerves system. These actions are adjusted as per the need of the body.

But there are certain activities which are most of the time involuntary but it can be made voluntary if desired by the person. Respiration is such activity. It is involuntary in normal process but can be made voluntary if desired. The cycle of respiration goes on functioning without the knowledge of the person. But if the person likes to change its speed, he can do it, he can slow it down or he can make it fast, or he can stop it for short period.

Internal body mechanism is all the time controlled by the mind. Functions are adjusted as per the bodys need. These functions of the mind are automatic. But other activity like thinking process is voluntary. One may choose to think or not to think. In the same way one can choose to think about any specific subject. Emotions are partly voluntary and partly involuntary. At times one can control his emotions, at other times one can not control his emotions. It is also observed that mental activities are related with respiration. When a person is angry or excited, his respiratory movements are fast. But when his mind is quiet and tranquil, the respiratory movements are

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slow. It is not possible to be angry or excited without raising respiratory rates. So it is presumed that if one can control his respiratory movements, then he can control his involuntary component of the mind. One can keep ones mind cool and calm by controlling his respiration. The same principal is applied in the process of Pranayam. In Pranayam one tries to control his respiratory movements. By which he tries to control his mental activities. Final aim is to attain a calm and quiet mind. With the practice of Pranayam, a person gets control over his respiratory movements. Respiratory movements are made slower and uniform. Once he gets control over his respiratory movements, automatically he gets control over his mental activities. He acquires ability to keep his mind calm and quite even during the time of stress.

PRANAYAM AND MEDITATION

Calm and quiet mind is the pre-requisite for the process of meditation. So if Pranayam is performed before meditation, it is easier to concentrate and thereby to attain a deeper level during meditation. Meditation is the process of attaining tranquility and quietude of the mind. Human mind is all the time busy with various activities. At a time our mind thinks of multiple subjects. Mind can be busy in either thinking of the past events or planning for the future. The common mind can not concentrate on one subject for a longer time. At one moment it may think about money, at a second moment it may think about fashionable dress, and at the third moment it may think about his girl friend and next it may think about business contacts. With the result the human mind is wasting most of its energy for trifle matters. If the energy is concentrated on one subject, it can achieve better results.

Not only that but such wandering mind will not allow the person to get into deeper meditation. Concentration is the prerequisite for the process of meditation. Mental concentration can be achieved only by the practice of

Pranayam.

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PRANAYAM AND SELF REALISATION

Self realization is the ultimate goal of all the yogic practices. As per the Vedic philosophy our body is having three main components:

1) Physical body

2) Mind

3) Soul or atman

The physical body is gross in nature. It can be seen and felt. The body which is made up of bones, muscles, organs, and skin is called the physical body. Mind is subtle. It can not be seen but its presence can be felt. It governs all the parts of the body. The soul or atman is subtler than mind. It can not be seen and it is also difficult to feel its presence by ordinary means. It can be called as a nucleus of the live-force. It is believed to be immortal, unborn, eternal and stable. As per the Vedic philosophy, being immortal, it can not be destroyed by any means

At the time of death atman leaves old physical body and enters into a new physical body. This is known as re-birth. The main characters of Atman are love, independence, truthfulness and joy.

The mind is like pure transparent glass. The transparent glass if kept on red carpet will look red, and if kept on green carpet will look green. Same way if the mind associates with physical body, it takes the characters of physical body. With the result it feels all the pain, sorrow, unhappiness, fear, hatred, ego, jealousy and other unwanted emotions.

But if the mind associates with Atman, then it takes those characters like, love, independence, truthfulness and eternal joy.

Once a person realizes its joyful nature and immortal character and once the mind merges itself with the Atman; mind grasps all the characters of the Atman. Then there is no pain or unhappiness in life. The person then enjoys infinite

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happiness in life. This is the ultimate goal of each follower of the spiritual path.

As per the opinion of Patanjali, it is not easy for an ordinary person to realize the self i.e. Atman. This is because of his ignorance. Only Gnan, absolute knowledge, can uncover the mystery of Atmic characters. As absolute knowledge is hidden behind the curtain of ignorance, it is not possible for the ordinary people to realize the self. This ignorance is known as Avidya. Atman can not shine with its full light because of Avidya. As per the opinion of Patanjali, regular practice of Pranayam can uncover the basic nature of Atman. This may lead to eternal joy and happiness. In short the effect of Pranayam is multiple. It effects on all three components of the human body, i.e. the physical body, the mind, and the Atman.

Effects of Pranayam

1) It keeps the body fit and healthy.

2) It enhances the general resistance power of the body. With the effect it helps in preventing various diseases.

3) Kapalbhati Pranayam is responsible for Nadi-Shudhi, and Kumbhak Pranayam is responsible for Chit-Shudhi.

4) Chit-Shudhi helps in de-conditioning of the mind. De-conditioning helps to change an individuals perception for life. He becomes more rational

5) Pranayam enhances vital force, which in turn enhances mental capacity.

6) Increased mental capacity helps in building up of self-confidence. Persons having self-confidence can achieve better success in life.

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7) It strengthens the ability of concentration. Concentration helps in analyzing and solving the problems.

8) It strengthens all the basic characters of the mind. Basic characters of the mind are memory, intelligence, receptivity, and creativity.

9) It strengthens the will power of the person.

10) It helps in creating tranquility and calmness of the mind. 8] medical views.

Number of medical personals carried out various studies regarding effect of Pranayam on body health. It is observed that regular practice of pranayam can relieve stress related disorders. It also improves autonomic functions of the body. Autonomic system of the body maintains good co-ordination and fine balance between various systems and organs.

Practitioners report that the practice of pranayama develops a steady mind, strong will-power, and sound judgement, and also claim that sustained pranayama practice extends life and enhances perception.