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December 21, 2009
The Unique Indian Concept Called Prana and its Role in Consciousness Mind Body Continuum
N V Raghuram
Swami Vivekananda Yoga University, Bangalore, India
nv.raghuram@gmail.com
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Abstract
While rest of the world has equivalent to physical body as soma and for mind or mental body as psyche there is nothing in between psyche and soma. On the other hand Indian philosophy has introduced between these two levels of existence of a human being, which is the life force personality called pranamaya kosa.
It is active throughout the body and depending upon its type of function it is divided into five branches called prana apana vyana udana and samana. This life force is responsible for our life and once we exhaust we retire from this life. This is the first indication of the presence of consciousness which in other words is the manifested freedom.
Prana being the life force is responsible for all activities life circulation heart beat, nerve sensations and functioning of all the organs and the movement in lungs making respiration possible. This activity in a healthy person is slow rhythmic and peaceful and in case of disturbance this also undergoes disturbance and speed before transferring it into the physical body level.
Prana itself is not something which is available for instruments much less possibility for perceiving through our sensory organs. But its effect can be seen on the physical body. An altered condition in the body due to the influence of the mental state without any other visible external factors is an indication according to the Indian philosophy the existence of prana in between the mind and the particular part of the physical body.
One such visible factor is the breathing and the changes which happen in the breathing. We may not be able to manipulate the prana at other centres but the respiratory centre is where prana can be manipulated and made slow and rhythmic.Which is natural and health for us. Once prana is made slow, deep and rhythmic at one centre all other places it will become the same. Thus the practice of pranayama is a panacea for all the disorders. In addition a slow prana will help us to transcend to subtler level of mind and beyond. Therefore pranayama practices not only have beneficial effect for health but is very important practice for ones spiritual growth and development.
