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One lesser–known approach used in some streams of Laya Yoga is breath awareness that naturally leads to spontaneous suspension of breath, rather than deliberately forcing long holds like Rechaka Kumbhaka (holding your breath).

This state is traditionally called Kevala Kumbhaka.

1. Slow, Relaxed Breathing

Sit comfortably and breathe slowly through the nose.

No counting at first — just smooth breathing.

2. Awareness of the Natural Pause

Notice the small still point:

• after the inhale
• after the exhale

Do not extend it intentionally. Just observe it.

3. Place Awareness in Inner Space

Many Laya traditions suggest awareness in:

• the space between the eyebrows (associated with Ajna Chakra), or
• listening for subtle internal sound related to Nada Yoga.

4. Let The Breath Become Subtle

As attention deepens:

• breathing naturally slows
• pauses lengthen
• the mind quiets

Eventually breath may temporarily stop on its own.

That spontaneous stillness is Kevala Kumbhaka.

In Laya Yoga the goal is dissolution of effort and egoic control.

Forced breath retention can keep the mind active and controlling.

Natural suspension instead allows:

• deeper mental quiet
• inward absorption
• effortless meditation

Some yogic texts say the mind dissolves when breath dissolves.

Important Safety Point

Avoid:

• straining to hold breath
• pushing long retentions
• practicing when anxious or breathless

The natural method is much safer and often deeper.

Some gurus say:

When breath becomes subtle, the mind enters the inner sound.

That’s why Laya Yoga often combines gentle breathing with listening for inner vibration.

Simple Practice Formula

1. Relaxed breathing
2. Observe natural pauses
3. Focus inward (Ajna or inner sound)
4. Let breath become subtle
5. Stillness arises naturally

Here is a simple 10–minute sequence often used to prepare the student's mind for Laya Yoga. The purpose is to calm the breath until awareness naturally moves toward inner stillness or subtle sound.

This routine gradually leads toward Kevala Kumbhaka without forcing breath retention.

Minute 1–2: Grounding Breath

Sit comfortably with the spine upright.

• Breathe slowly through the nose
• Let the abdomen expand on inhale
• Let it relax on exhale

Focus on the natural flow of Prana moving with the breath.

Purpose: Calm the nervous system and stabilize attention.

Minute 3–4: Lengthen the Exhale

Begin gently extending the exhale.

Example rhythm:

• Inhale ~4 seconds
• Exhale ~6 seconds

No breath retention yet.

Longer exhalation naturally quiets the mind and prepares for Rechaka Kumbhaka (holding your breath).

Minute 5–6: Notice the Natural Pause

Now observe the brief stillness after exhaling.

Do not force it.

Just notice the moment where breathing naturally stops before the next inhale.

Place attention gently at the Ajna Chakra.

Purpose: Allow mind and breath to begin synchronizing.

Minute 7–8: Inner Listening

Shift attention inward and listen.

This is related to Nada Yoga.

Some people perceive subtle sounds like:

• ringing
• humming
• buzzing
• distant flute–like tones

Do not search for sound — simply listen inwardly.

Breath should now be slow and subtle.

Minute 9–10: Effortless Stillness

Let the breath move however it wants.

Sometimes:

• the breath becomes extremely shallow
• the pause after exhale lengthens
• breathing may temporarily suspend

This natural suspension is Kevala Kumbhaka.

Just remain aware.

No effort.

What This Practice Develops

Over time it helps cultivate:

• Pratyahara
• inner sound perception
• natural breath suspension
• meditative absorption

These are classic entry points for Laya Yoga.

Please Note: Practicing early morning or late night tends to make the inner sound easier to perceive.

This subtle technique is mentioned in some tantric and Laya Yoga traditions and can help make perception of inner sound easier. It combines breath, attention, and ear awareness. It’s related to practices used in Laya Yoga and Nada Yoga.

Some texts connect this method with the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which describes meditation on internal sound as a way to absorb the mind.

Gentle Exhale

Take a slow inhale through the nose.

Then slowly exhale and let the breath leave naturally.

Allow a small natural pause at the end of the exhale (similar to Rechaka Kumbhaka but very mild).

Turn Attention to the Right Ear

Many traditional teachers say to listen slightly toward the right ear.

The right side is sometimes associated with the solar energy channel, known as Pingala Nadi. The right ear is where you are more likely to hear this inner sound and/or the aum sound.

Do not strain to hear anything.

Just rest awareness there.

Let the Breath Become Subtle

Continue slow breathing.

After a few minutes:

• breathing becomes shallow
• the mind quiets
• subtle inner vibrations may appear

Possible perceptions include:

• high–pitched ringing
• humming
• flute–like tones
• distant buzzing

These are considered early experiences of Nada.

Allow Absorption

Once a subtle sound appears:

• focus gently on it
• let the breath continue naturally

Sometimes the breath naturally pauses, entering Kevala Kumbhaka.

This is where Laya Yoga says the mind begins dissolving into the sound.

Why This Works

According to traditional yogic theory:

• Breath quiets the mind
• Inner sound becomes perceptible
• Attention merges with the sound
• Thought activity dissolves

This leads to deeper states of meditative absorption.

Two Important Tips

1. Don’t force breath retention
• Let pauses happen naturally.
2. Ignore external tinnitus–like sounds
• The practice is about gentle awareness, not chasing auditory phenomena.

A simple way to practice:

• 5 minutes slow breathing
• 5 minutes inner listening

Very consistent students sometimes report hearing subtle inner sound within a few weeks.

Many classical yoga texts describe a progression of inner sounds that can appear as meditation deepens. This teaching appears in works like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and is closely connected to Nada Yoga within Laya Yoga.

The idea is that as the mind becomes quieter and attention turns inward, subtler layers of vibration (nada) become perceptible.

The Traditional Progression of Inner Sounds

Different texts list slightly different sequences, but a commonly cited progression goes from loud/gross sounds → subtle/high–frequency sounds.

1. Ocean or Roaring Sound

A deep rushing sound, like wind or the ocean.

This often appears when concentration first becomes stable.

2. Drum or Thunder

A rhythmic or booming tone.

This stage may correspond to deeper withdrawal of the senses, related to Pratyahara.

3. Bell Sound

Clear, metallic ringing.

Many meditators report a tone similar to a temple bell.

4. Conch or Horn

A resonant sustained tone.

This stage is said to draw the mind inward strongly.

5. Flute–Like Sound

A softer, melodic vibration.

The mind often becomes very absorbed here.

6. Lute or String Instrument

Fine musical tones.

In Sanskrit texts this is sometimes compared to a vina.

7. Bees Humming

A steady buzzing vibration.

Attention becomes very concentrated.

8. High–Pitched Ringing

Very subtle and continuous.

Many meditators recognize this as similar to the sound heard in deep silence.

9. Very Subtle Whistle or Tone

Extremely delicate.

Thoughts become minimal.

10. Pure Subtle Vibration

At the deepest stage the sound becomes almost soundless vibration.

This is where the mind dissolves into awareness in Laya Yoga.

There are some important insights from the Texts that are important.

The instruction is not to chase specific sounds.

Instead:

• notice whatever inner vibration appears
• keep attention gently on it
• allow the mind to merge with it

The sound acts as a focus that pulls awareness inward.

In Nada and Laya Yoga, sound is considered a direct expression of Prana moving through the subtle channels of the body.

Following that vibration inward eventually leads to profound stillness.

Many students discover that inner sound becomes much clearer when the breath becomes very subtle or enters spontaneous suspension, known as Kevala Kumbhaka.

The following common mistakes indicate or suggest you are practicing with your ego leading rather than your higher self leading your ego.

Similar to a person walking a dog. Is the human walking the dog or is the dog walking the human?

When you throw your ego to the side, then your higher self can guide you and these common mistakes can be avoided.

Destroy the ego!

A very common mistake in Nada Yoga and Laya Yoga is trying too hard to hear a sound.

Ironically, that effort can actually block the experience and goes opposite to what the laya yogi seeks to do: natural suspension (Kevala Kumbhaka) instead of forced suspension (Rechaka Kumbhaka.

The Main Mistake: Listening With Effort

Many neophytes:

• strain their hearing
• concentrate intensely on the ears
• search for a specific sound described in texts

This creates mental tension and activates thinking.

But inner sound becomes perceptible only when the mind relaxes and quiets.

Traditional instructions say the sound appears when attention becomes effortless and inward.

The Correct Way: Passive Listening

Instead of actively trying to hear something:

1. Sit quietly
2. Let the breath become calm
3. Allow awareness to turn inward
4. Listen as if you are listening to distant silence

This relaxed listening naturally supports Pratyahara (the inward withdrawal of the senses).

Another Subtle Mistake: Chasing Different Sounds

Texts sometimes describe many inner sounds, but the goal is not to collect experiences.

Once a sound appears:

• stay with it gently
• let attention merge with it

If the sound changes, just follow the new one without excitement.

Why This Matters

In yogic lessons, attention and mind are almost the same thing.

When attention rests on the subtle sound, the mind gradually dissolves into it. This is the essence of Laya (dissolution).

Forcing concentration keeps the mind active, which works against the process.

A Simple Rule Used by Some Teachers

Listen, don’t search.

The sound is said to be always present, but normally covered by mental activity.

When breath becomes subtle—sometimes approaching Kevala Kumbhaka — the mind quiets enough for it to become noticeable.

A Reassuring Note

Many people initially hear only a faint ringing or humming. That’s perfectly normal and often the first stage of inner sound perception.

Articles by Swami Harinanda and Yogi Karmananda are © 2026 and are licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Most images do not qualify for use under this license. The 9 Planes of Reality image is, however our own image and thus qualifies.

Some images are used under a Creative Commons License and can also be used as long as you follow their license agreement.

Music has been used with permission and may be used if you qualify and abide by the licensing requirements.

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