Kumbhaka dhyana

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah

VBT 25 :

Maruto antar bahir vaapi viyadyugmaanivartanat,

Bhairavyaa bhairavasyettham bhairavi vyajyate vapuh

Translation :

When breath is held after inhaling and exhaling, Bhairavi, the essence of Bhairava is manifest.

Commentary :

Holding the breath after inhale is called 'antar kumbhaka'. Holding the breath after exhale is called 'bahya kumbhaka'. When you consciously do kumbhaka it is called 'sahita kumbhaka'. When kumbhaka happens without effort, it is called 'kevala kumbhaka'.

Step-1 : Sahita kumbhaka : Sit in any comfortable position, and relax. Start holding the breath for 3-4 seconds after inhalation. Hold the breath for 3-4 seconds after exhalation. Observe your state of mind, when you are in kumbhaka and remember it. Your mind must have become still in kumbhaka. You can increase the amount of time you hold the breath gradually as you become adept in this kumbhaka pranayama.

Step-2 : Kevala kumbhaka : Sit and do 'Aana pana sati' or 'Soham' dhyana for considerable period of time , till you experience a calmness of mind. Then do step-1 'sahita kumbhaka' for sometime. Then use your mind to still your mind very close to the state of stillness which you experienced in sahita kumbhaka. At this point 'Kevala kumbhaka' happens automatically, your rate of breathing becomes very low. Between each inhale and exhale as the mind becomes calm, kevala kumbhaka happens without effort.

When your mind enters into deeper and deeper stillness, and calmness, you experience bhairavi.