Prana

"The Prana in me, sees the Prana in you."

What is Prana? A clothing store for the active Buddhist in all of us? Yes, it is, but before materialization got a hold of us, Prana was more, much more. Let's dive into it now

First, there is much confusion regarding Prana. Google Prana and you'll see everything from crossed-legged yoga poses to energy enemas. The problem is they seldom mention "apana," and to put it bluntly, you can't have one without the Apana (other). Yes, it's a yin/yang thing. Therefore, Prana and Apana are two primary, opposing energetic forces in yoga that regulate the body and mind. Prana is the upward/inward life force of intake and expansion, located above the navel. Apana is the downward/outward force of elimination and grounding, located below the navel area.

Now that that is clear, we will talk about Prana, and to do so I'll use a passage from Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism, written by Yogi Ramacharaka 1862–1932, where he writes: "Prana is everywhere and in everything. Prana is not the Ego, but is merely a form of energy used by the Ego in its material manifestation. When the Ego departs from the physical body, in what we call "death," the Prana, being no longer under the control of the Ego, responds only to the orders of the individual atoms or their groups, which have formed the physical body, and as the physical body disintegrates and is resolved back to its original elements, each atom takes with it sufficient Prana to enable it to form new combinations, the unused Prana returning to the great universal storehouse from whence it came."

So you see, Prana is in all forms of matter, and yet it is not matter - it is the energy or force which animates matter.

Maybe a better definition can be found in Insighttimer.com:

"In the heart of ancient wellness practices lies a concept so powerful yet so subtle that it forms the very essence of our being. Prana, often described as the life force or vital energy, courses through the universe and every living creature, connecting us to the broader cosmos with invisible threads. This concept, deeply rooted in yogic traditions, is not just about the air we breathe but encompasses the energy that animates life itself...ancient texts and practices within Hinduism have long acknowledged the significance of prana, highlighting its role in the creation and sustenance of life. Though Hindu tradition isn’t the only well-known philosophy that recognizes life force — “Qi” (chi) in Traditional Chinese Medicine is a notable parallel." 

Finally, prana is seen as the bridge between the physical and the non-physical, influencing our health, emotions, and spiritual state. Recognizing and harnessing this energy is key to achieving a state of balance and harmony within oneself and with the surrounding world.

Now that that's clear, I'll return you to your regular way of being.


~~ Eso Terry

"Prana is everywhere, boys and girls, even in a clown like me!"