Is it necessary to control the breath also?” (Ramana Maharshi)

 

The following is from Rajan’s diary dated November 6, 1943:

After a brief discussion between Major 

Chadwick and Bhagavan on the necessity of periodic action to ensure that the body remains healthy, there was a ten-minute silence. 

Then a devotee asked, “It is stated that

one should dive into oneself with a keen one-pointed mind controlling speech and breath. Is it necessary to control the breath also?” 

Bhagavan replied, “If all thoughts are controlled, automatically the breath is also

controlled. By intense and sustained practice it will become habitual.

Controlling the breath through various yogic exercises is like putting brakes to the train when the engine is working. But by watching the source of the mind with full concentration, the thoughts would get controlled. This method will be more effective and easy. It is like shutting the power of the engine and thereby stopping the train completely.”

- Face to Face with Sri Ramana Maharshi.

N.N. Rajan.