Message #23852

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Just starting out hong-sau can be different from doing the practice after kriyas when the breath has been considerably slowed down. The challenge I am having with the phone clock u have given is that it constantly turns off and I have too touch the screen to get it going. I am going to try looking at a digital clock plugged in the wall. Perhaps u are using a larger screen on a computer. We must also consider that when we distract ourselves by looking at a clock it takes away from the deep focus that can be achieved during mantra practice. However there really is no way we can conduct any self study with out being somewhat consciously being distracted.

What also interests me is the many exercises the SRF lessons give in holding the breath specific amounts of time. The mantra technique is not to be practiced this way as u have mentioned but should be completely natural. However when we do observe the spaces in between breaths it has an effect of lengthening these spaces. When we do observe ourselves saying the mantra to the inhalations and exhalations it does seem to naturally lengthen those breaths. Why is this so? Because we are mindful of the breaths and consciously seeing what they are doing. Whenever you focus your concentration on anything like this the interior thought slows respiration to some degree.