HATHA YOGA
Or The Yogi Philosophy Of Physical Well-Being
by Yogi Ramacharaka (1904)
Chapter 19:
The Control Of The Involuntary System.
In the preceding chapter of this book we have explained to you that the human
body is made of millions of tiny cells, each endowed with sufficient matter to
enable it to do its work—with sufficient Prana to give it the energy it
requires—with sufficient "mind-stuff" to give it the degree of
intelligence with which to direct its work. Each cell belongs to a cell group
or family, and the intelligence of the cell is in close rapport with the
intelligence of every other cell in the group or family, the combined
intelligence of the cell-group resulting in a group-mind. These groups in turn
are each a part of some other larger group of groups, and so on until the
whole forms a great republic of cell-mind under the direction and control of
the Instinctive Mind. The control of these great groups is one of the duties
of the Instinctive Mind, and it usually does its work well, unless interfered
with by the Intellect, which sometimes sends it fear thoughts, and in this and
other ways demoralizes the Instinctive Mind. Its work is also sometimes
retarded by the Intellect insisting that it take up foreign and strange habits
of regulating the physical body through the cell intelligence. For instance,
in the case of constipation, the Intellect being busy with other work, will
not allow the body to respond to the calls of the Instinctive Mind, acting in
response to a demand from the cells of the Colon-nor does it pay attention to
the demands for water-and the consequence is that the Instinctive Mind is
unable to execute the proper orders, and both it and certain of the
cell-groups become demoralized and scarcely know what to do—bad habits
springing up and replacing the natural habit. Sometimes something akin to a
rebellion springs up in some of the cell-groups, resulting no doubt from some
interruption in the natural course of their government, the introduction of
strange customs causing a confusion. At times it seems that some of the
smaller groups (and even some of the larger on certain occasions) go on
"a strike," rebelling against unaccustomed and improper work forced
upon them—working overtime—and similar causes, such as a lack of proper
nourishment. These little cells often act just as would men under the same
circumstances—the analogy is often startling to the observer and
investigator. These rebellions, or strikes, seem to spread if matters are not
arranged, and even when matters are patched up the cells seem to return to
their work in a sullen manner, and instead of doing the best they know bow
they will do as little as possible, and just when they feel like it. A
restoration of normal conditions, resulting from increased nutrition, proper
attention, etc., will gradually bring about a return to normal conditions, but
matters may be expedited by giving the cell-groups direct orders from the
Will. It is astonishing how soon order and discipline may be restored in this
manner. The higher Yogis have a wonderful control over the involuntary system
and can act directly upon nearly every cell in their body. And even some of
the so-called Yogis of the cities of India-those little more than mountebanks,
who exhibit their performances for so many coppers from each wandering
traveler-are able to give interesting exhibitions of this control, some of the
exhibitions, however, being disgusting to persons of fine sensibilities and
painful to the real Yogis, who mourn to see a noble science prostituted in
this way.
The trained will is able to act directly upon these cells and groups by a
simple process of direct concentration, but this plan requires much training
on the part of the student. There are other plans whereby the will is called
into operation by the student repeating certain words in order to focus his
Will. The auto-suggestions and affirmations of the Western world act in this
way. The words focus the attention and Will upon the center of the trouble and
gradually order is restored among the striking cells, a supply of Prana also
being projected to the seat of the trouble, thus giving the cells additional
energy. At the same time the circulation to the affected region is increased,
thereby giving the cells more nourishment and building material.
One of the simplest plans of reaching the seat of trouble and giving a
vigorous order to the cells is the one taught by the Hatha Yogis to their
students, to be used by them until they are able to use the concentrated Will
without any aids. The plan is simply to "talk up" to the rebellious
organ or part, giving it orders just as one would a group of school boys or a
squad of recruits in the army. Give the order positively and firmly, telling
the organ just what you wish it to perform, repeating the command sharply
several times. A tapping or mild slapping of the part, or the part of the body
over the affected part, will act to attract the attention of the cell-group
just as does the tapping of a man on the shoulder cause him to stop, turn
around and listen to what you have to say. Now, please do not suppose that we
are trying to tell you that the cells have ears and understand the words of
the particular language you may be using. What really happens is that the
sharply spoken words help you to form the mental image expressed by the words,
and this meaning goes right to the spot, over the channels of the sympathetic
nervous system operated by the Instinctive Mind, and is readily understood by
the cell-groups and even by the individual cells. As we have already said, an
additional supply of Prana and the increased supply of blood also go to the
affected region, being directed there by the concentrated attention of the
person sending the command. The commands of a healer may be given in the same
way, the Instinctive Mind of the patient taking up the command and forwarding
it to the scene of the cell rebellion. This may seem almost childish to many
of our students, but there are good scientific reasons behind it, and the
Yogis consider it the simplest plan whereby mental commands may reach the
cells. So do not discard it as worthless until you have tried it awhile. It
has stood the test of centuries, and nothing better has been found to do the
work.
If you wish to try this plan upon some portion of your body, or the body of
some one else which is not functioning properly, gently slap the part with the
flat palm of the hand, saying to it sharply (for instance) "Here, Liver
you must do your work better—you are too sluggish to suit me-I expect you to
do better from now on—get to work-get to work, I say, and stop this
foolishness." These exact words are not necessary; use any words which
may come to you, so long as they convey a sharp positive command that the
organ shall do its work. The heart's action may be improved in the same way,
but one must proceed in a far more gentle manner, as the cell-group of the
heart is possessed of a much higher degree of intelligence than that of the
liver, for instance, and must be approached in a more respectful manner.
Gently remind the heart that you expect it to do its work in a better manner,
but speak to it politely and do not attempt to "bulldoze" it as you
would the liver. The heart cell-group is the most intelligent of the groups
controlling any of the organs-the liver group is the most stupid and less
intelligent, being of a decidedly mulish disposition, whereas the heart is
like a thorough-bred horse, intelligent and alert. If your liver is rebellious
you must go for it vigorously, remembering its mulish propensities. The
stomach is fairly intelligent, although not as much so as the heart. The Colon
is quite obedient, although patient and long suffering. One may give the Colon
commands to evacuate its contents at a certain time every morning (naming the
hour), and if you will trust it sufficiently to go to the stool at that
particular hour—keep your engagement, in fact—you will find that the Colon
will in a short time do as you wish it to. But remember that the poor Colon
has been greatly abused and it may take a little time to regain its
confidence. Irregular menstruation may be regulated, and normal habits
acquired, in a few months by marking the proper date on the calendar and then
each day giving oneself a gentle treatment along the lines above mentioned,
telling the cell-groups controlling the function that it is now so many days
before the expected time and that you wish them to get ready and do their
work, so that when the time arrives everything will be normal. As you near the
time, call the group's attention that the time is growing shorter and that it
must attend to its business. Do not give the commands in a trifling manner but
as if you really meant them—and you must mean them-and they will be obeyed.
We have seen many cases of irregular menstruation relieved in this way in from
one to three months. This may sound ridiculous to you, but all we can say is
to try it for yourself. We have not space to point out the method to be
employed for each complaint, but you will readily see just what organ or group
controls the seat of the trouble from what we have said in other chapters, and
then give it its orders. If you do not know what organ is causing the trouble,
you at least know the region of the disturbance and may direct your commands
to that part of the body. It is not necessary for you to know the name of the
organ-just direct your commands to the spot and say to it: "Here You,
[sic] etc." This book is not intended as a treatise upon the cure of
disease, its object being to point out the road to health by preventing
disease, but these little hints at restoring normal functioning to organs
which have been misbehaving may help you somewhat.
You will be surprised at the measure of control which you may gain over your
body by following the above method and variations of the same. You will be
able to relieve your headaches by directing the blood to flow downward; you
will be able to warm your cold feet by ordering the blood to flow to them in
increased quantities, the Prana, of course, going along also; you may equalize
the circulation, thus stimulating the entire body; you may relieve tired
portions of the body. In fact, there is no end of the things you may do along
this line if you have but the patience to try. If you do not know just what
commands to give you may say to the part, "Here you, get better—I want
this pain to leave—I want you to do better," or something similar. But
all this requires practice and patience, of course. There is no royal road to
its accomplishment.