Mind, Prana And Kundalini

Mind, Prana And Kundalini

by Swami Sivananda

Prana-the Outer Coat Of Mind

There are two principal Tattvas in the universe, viz., mind and Prana. Wherever there is Prana, there is mind also. Even in the external movement of breath beyond the nose, the mind is mixed with the external breath. Prana (energy) is the outer overcoat for the mind. Prana digests the food, turns it into chyle and blood and sends it to the brain and mind. The mind is then able to think and do Brahma-Vichara (enquiry into Brahman). The life of the mind is kept up through the vibration of the subtle psychic Prana which gives rise to the formation of thought.

Prana is gross. Mind is subtle. Mind is formed out of the conglomerate Sattvic essence of the five Tanmatras; whereas, Prana is formed out of the sum total of Rajasic essence of the five Tanmatras. That is the reason why mind is more Sukshma than the Prana.

The Pranamaya Kosha (vital sheath) is more subtle than the physical body. It overlaps the Annamaya Kosha (physical sheath) and is more extensive than it. Manomaya Kosha is more subtle than the Pranamaya Kosha and more extensive than the vital sheath. You have to touch the body of another man to have a physical influence over him. Whereas you can stand at a distance and by mere ‘passes’you can impart your Prana to him; because, Prana (vital) is more subtle than the body. You can influence a man mentally through thought even though he lives a thousand miles away from you, because mental force is more subtle than Prana.

Inter-Dependence Of Mind And Prana

Prana and mind stand to one another in the relationship of the supporter and the supported. Both these are only like the flower and its odour or a sesamum seed and the oil in it. If either of them is slain, then the other also will cease to exist. If the mind and Prana cease to exist, then thoughts will not arise at all. The destruction of both will confer Moksha on all.

Ekagrata (one-pointedness) and Nirodha (controlled state) are two Avasthas of the mind. Spanda (subtle or Sukshma) and Nirodha are two Avasthas of the Prana. When the mind becomes one-pointed, Spanda Avastha of the Prana comes by itself. If the mind is purified with true Sattva Guna, the Prana will be distributed freely throughout the body. The food will be digested thoroughly.

Mind, Prana And Virya

Mind, Prana and Virya (semen) are under one Sambandha (connection). If you can control any one of these three, the other two are controlled by themselves, quite easily. Hatha Yogins try to control the Prana. Raja Yogins try to control the mind. Jnana Yogins start their Sadhana with Buddhi and will.

Benefits Of Pranayama

By Pranayama (control of Prana or restraint of breath), you can also increase the mental energy and develop thought-control and thought-culture. This will help concentration and meditation. This will make the mind steady. This will remove Rajas (passion) and Tamas (inertia). This will burn the dross in the mind.

By Pranayama, the mind gradually moves from the gross to the subtle. It, therefore, exercises a wholesome check upon sexual irritation. When some evil thought disturbs your mind, at once take to Padmasana or Siddhasana and do Pranayama. The thought will leave you immediately.

The Superiority of Prana Over Mind

The sight is more internal than speech as the sight generally informs without contradiction. Similarly, the hearing than the sight, as the eye may convey false impressions, e.g., the mother of pearl as silver, but the ear never hears a non-existing sound. Similarly, the ear only exercises its functions with the aid of the mind’s attention and, similarly, the mind depends on the Prana or life. Prana is, therefore, Brahman, the Innermost of all.

“Forsooth, mind departed from the body. It returned after a year’s absence and enquired of the organs: ‘How did you survive my separation?’ ‘In the same way’, replied the organs, ‘in which an infant not possessing the power of reflection breathes through the agency of his respiratory organs, speaks through the organ of speech, sees by his eyes, hears by his ears.’ Mind resumed its place. Then did mind say unto Prana, ‘The quality of containing all, which belonged to me, is due to thee. ‘The function of mind belongs to Prana; from Prana or life proceed all.” (Chhandogya Upanishad, V-xiv-15). This parable illustrates the superiority of life (Prana) over mind and other organs. In reality, there was no dispute of any kind.

Mind And Kundalini

Kundalini, the serpent-like coiled power that lies dormant with 3 coils with the face downwards in the Muladhara Chakra, the basal lotus at the end of the spinal column, is connected with Prana and Prana is connected with the mind.

Even a Vedantin (student of the path of Jnana) can get Jnana-Nishtha (superconscious state) only through the awakening of Kundalini Sakti. No superconscious state or Samadhi is possible without the awakening of this primordial energy, whether it is in Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga or Jnana Yoga.

Kundalini Sakti can only be aroused when the mind is actually free from passions and desires. Sakti-Chalana or Asvani Mudra, Tadana, Pracharana-all help in awakening the Kundalini. Mahabheda helps in taking the Kundalini higher up. When the Kundalini Sakti is awakened, the mind enters, along with Prana and Jiva, the Sushumna and all perceptions are in the mental space (Chidakasa). After Kundalini is awakened, Prana passes upwards through Sushumna or Brahma Nadi within the spinal cord, along with mind and Agni. The Yogin is freed from physical consciousness. You are shut out from the external objective world. As soon as Kundalini is awakened for the first time, a Yogin gets these six kinds of experiences which last for a short time, viz., Ananda (spiritual bliss), Kampana (tremor of various parts of the body), Udbhava (rising above the ground from his Asana), Ghurni (intoxication divine-the body moves in a circle), Nidra (sleep) and Murchha (fainting). After awakening the Kundalini, you will have to take it up to Sahasrara in the top of the head.

When this Kundalini moves from Chakra to Chakra (from centre to centre), layer after layer of the mind opens up. The Yogin experiences different kinds of bliss (Ananda) at each new centre. He gets different experiences also as well as different powers. He gets control over the five elements. He perceives the universe in its subtle or causal form. He gets full knowledge of the types of various kinds of the causal plane. When Kundalini reaches the Sahasrara Chakra, you are in the Chidakasa (knowledge space).

Prana And Kundalini – Life Force, Inner Energy, and Spiritual Awakening

Prana And Kundalini are two important concepts in yogic and spiritual science. Prana means the vital life force that keeps the body and mind active. It flows through breathing, movement, thoughts, emotions, digestion, circulation, and every living function. Kundalini is described as the hidden spiritual energy resting at the base of the spine. When purified and awakened through proper discipline, it can lead a person toward higher awareness, inner strength, and spiritual realization.

Prana is present in every living being. It is not just physical breath, though breath is one of its main expressions. When prana is balanced, the body feels energetic, the mind becomes clear, and emotions remain stable. When prana is disturbed, a person may feel tired, restless, anxious, dull, or emotionally unstable. This is why yogic practices give great importance to breathing, posture, purity, and self-control.

Prana And Kundalini are closely connected because kundalini awakening depends on the purification and proper movement of prana. If the life force is scattered through uncontrolled desires, wrong habits, excessive talking, impure food, laziness, or emotional disturbance, deeper spiritual energy remains blocked. But when prana becomes steady and pure, the inner path becomes clearer.

The body is said to contain subtle channels called nadis through which prana flows. Among them, ida, pingala, and sushumna are considered very important. Ida is connected with calmness and lunar energy, pingala with activity and solar energy, and sushumna with the central spiritual path. When prana begins to flow through sushumna, meditation becomes deeper and spiritual awakening becomes possible.

Prana And Kundalini should not be treated as a matter of curiosity or excitement only. Many people become attracted to kundalini because they hear about unusual powers, visions, sensations, or mystical experiences. But real spiritual growth is not about chasing experiences. It is about purification of the mind, control of desires, humility, devotion, discipline, and self-knowledge. Without purity, strong energy can disturb the mind instead of uplifting it.

Breath control, known as pranayama, is one of the main methods for regulating prana. Simple, calm, and balanced breathing can make the nervous system steady and reduce mental restlessness. However, advanced breathing practices should be learned carefully and gradually. Force, impatience, and wrong practice can create imbalance. A sincere seeker should move with guidance, moderation, and respect for the body.

Prana And Kundalini also require moral discipline. Truthfulness, non-violence, purity, moderation, contentment, and self-control are not separate from spiritual energy. They prepare the inner instrument. If a person practices powerful techniques but continues with anger, greed, pride, jealousy, and harmful desires, the foundation remains weak. Ethical living protects the seeker and makes energy flow in a healthy direction.

Kundalini is often symbolized as a coiled power sleeping at the base of the spine. This symbol shows that great potential exists within every human being, but it remains hidden until the person becomes ready. Awakening does not mean becoming strange or abnormal. In its higher meaning, it means awakening from ignorance, ego, and attachment. It means rising into clearer consciousness.

The chakras are also connected with this subject. They are described as subtle energy centers along the spine. As kundalini rises, it is said to pass through these centers, purifying different levels of human nature. Lower centers are connected with survival, desire, and personal power, while higher centers are connected with love, expression, wisdom, and spiritual union. This journey represents the transformation of the whole personality.

Prana And Kundalini teach that spiritual progress must be balanced. Physical health, emotional maturity, mental clarity, moral purity, and spiritual practice should grow together. If one area is ignored, imbalance may appear. A calm lifestyle, pure food, regular sleep, good company, meditation, prayer, and selfless service all help in preparing the seeker.

Meditation is essential because kundalini awakening is not only an energetic process; it is a process of consciousness. The mind must become steady enough to hold higher awareness. A restless mind cannot understand subtle truth. Through meditation, thoughts become quieter, ego becomes weaker, and the seeker begins to feel a deeper presence within.

Prana And Kundalini should be approached with patience. Spiritual energy cannot be forced like a mechanical process. It unfolds according to purity, readiness, grace, and steady practice. A person who wants quick results may fall into imagination or imbalance. A sincere person focuses on daily discipline, humility, service, and devotion. The right results come naturally in time.

In the end, Prana And Kundalini represent the journey from ordinary life energy to awakened spiritual consciousness. Prana sustains life, while kundalini reveals the higher potential hidden within life. When the body is purified, the breath is balanced, the mind is disciplined, and the heart is humble, inner energy becomes a path to peace and wisdom. This teaching reminds us that human life carries a sacred power, and that power should be awakened with purity, patience, and higher purpose.

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