Mahakaal : Secerts of Panchakshri sadhana - Part I

Another secret and important aspect of child's breath is that its completely balanced for point no.2 to get addressed to a great extent. It’s a nature’s gift but as we grow we move away from the Mother Nature and hence this balancing goes off resulting in shallow breath. This culminates into losing of the internal center of bliss and we start searching enjoyment outside. The search goes on to the extent that we start looking for self through the eyes, beliefs of others. These external impressions then gives rise to a false me, which is then identified with ego. A false imaginary self is established and we live entire life with this false ‘Me’. It was not required and it wouldnot have been created if we would have breathed naturally. Therefore, the process of blowing is of great importance in life, we can’t skip it.

Ayush, my son sometime back had joined a Music College for learning flute. He used to go regularly for his classes. In the initial days I use to accompany him to the college and some how got chance to engage with his Guruji. Guruji in one of the engagements was explaining about the biggest challenge in playing flute. He said its blowing the flute properly that ateast a consistent sound is produced. He said it takes one to two months for students to handle the flute and be able to blow it properly. Its then that he could teach them playing the notes.

Ayush use to play with flute at home on his own and being young was able pick up right way of blowing on the first day itself. When Guruji asked him to play he could demonstrate some flow. Guruji was very happy and he said Ayush could start learning from the day one as the note was stable and he was able to sustain it for long. He emphasized on the fact that blowing flute is difficult as the hole for blowing is on side of the flute.

I had observed that many students use to practice the bowing of fute for days together before Guruji use to teach them Raagas.

Blowing has to ensure it’s in rhythm, it should be balanced; the pressure should neither be excess nor less, the blowing of air should be sustained for a longer time to be able to produce variations. A yogi uses Kumbhak pranayama to tune up the blowing process.

                                                         .....to be continued in part 5