Hong Sau
"By the Hong-Sau technique, one can reach the point of relaxing even the heart, and thereby rising above its compulsion to outwardness." Paramhansa Yogananda
An ancient technique that is very simple to learn and has such profound effect.
I will let the words of Paramhansa Yogananda speak first about this wonderful practice
Give your heart a much needed rest!
The purpose of the Hong-Sau technique is to help you free your attention from outwardness, and to withdraw it from the senses,
For breath is the cord that keeps the soul tied to the body.
Man lives in an atmosphere of air, which he requires even as a fish requires water.
By rising above the breath in breathlessness, man can enter the celestial realms of light, where the angels dwell.
By dispassionately watching the breath coming in and going out, one’s breathing naturally slows, calming at last the peace-disturbing activity of the heart, lungs, and diaphragm.
Just think about that - giving the body a true rest, letting the heart and lungs slow down. How stress relieving is that?
The heart never gets a rest, it pumps tons of blood all day and night, 365 days a year, not even getting a rest when we are asleep.
It truly is the most worked (and overworked) organ in the body.
Hong-Sau technique is a scientific method for resting the heart.
Why do we do it?
What are the benefits?
Benefits of practising Hong Sau are the same as meditation benefits, however the focus on the breath and consequential slowing of the breath enhance these benefits.
Heart rate is slowed, reducing strain, wear and tear on this vital organ
Increased longevity
Increased energy
Life Current/energy/prana, distributed over the whole body, renewing cells and preventing their decay
Mental calmness and clarity
How do we do it?
Listen to me guide you
Prefer to read and then practice?
Sit upright, use a chair unless you are truly comfotable cross legged/kneeling
Lift your chest, draw shoulders down and back, keep them soft
Have your chin parallel to the floor
Hands resting comfortable at junction of thighs and hips
Relax the body - use the tense and release technique
Tense & Release Technique
Inhale and tense the body
Hold for a moment
Exhale and relax the body
Repeat 3 times
Move awareness through the body consciously relaxing each part, from toe to head
Practice regular breathing for 3 rounds
Regular breathing technique
Inhale for count of 8
Hold for count of 8, unless there is any reason for you to not hold your breath.
Exhale for count of 8
Repeat x 3
Introduce the mantra Hong Sau
Hong Sau mantra
Watch the breath
Make no attempt to control the breath
As the breath flows in naturally, mentally say Hong
As the breath flows out naturally, mentally repeat Sau
Simply let the breath flow in and out of its own accord
Aim to feel the movement of the breath in the nostrils, mentally repeating the mantra with each inhale and exhale
If there are pauses between the inhale and/or exhale, enjoy the stillness
If (when!) the mind wanders simply bring it back to watching the breath and repeating the mantra
After a while try to feel the breath higher in the nostrils–where the nose joins the forehead and then higher still at the point between the eyebrows
(more in a future blog about the relevance of these points in the body)
Enjoy any pauses between natural breaths, the stillness is very peaceful
To end the practice inhale deeply and exhale 3 times (IN: EX. EX. EX)
When should we do it?
How often and for how long?
Ideally incorporate this practice into your regular routine. It is an integral part of the REAL meditation technique that I teach and is a step in the kriya yoga meditation technique as given to us by Paramhansa Yogananda.
Twenty minutes, twice a day would be ideal.
However, don't make a rod for your back.
This should be a technique you enjoy and look forward to - once you feel the benefits and enjoy the connection with your inner stillness you WILL want to do it!
Great yogis have been using Hong Sau for centuries to experience the calmness it produces
If you have the time, practice the technique longer —indeed, as long as you like. I myself, as a boy, used to practice it for seven hours at a time, and thereby achieved a deep state of breathless trance.
Paramhansa Yogananda
What about entering the realms of angels?
(the quote from Paramhansa at the beginning of this blog)
Caveat here, the highest results cannot be attained in a day or even in days.
You can though have the experience of calmness from your first day of practice.
Angels?
Well, let me know how you get on.
My own experience of practicing Hong Sau, has taught me that my body exists only partially by breath.
Watching the breath destroys the identification of the soul with the body and breath and helps separate ego from it.
Breathing becomes rhythmic and calm.
Watching the breath calmly, calms the mind
A calm mind and breath quiet the motion of the heart, diaphragm, and lungs.
What do the words mean?
Sanskrit to English
Not only does the practice help lengthen man’s lifespan, it is also a practical method for rising above body-consciousness and realizing oneself as the Immortal Spirit.
The words, Hong and Sau, are a Sanskrit saying, that has mantric power.
I will do a separate blog on Mantra - we need to tie this blog up before it gets too long - you can always post questions in the chat or join us at the meditation clinic on a Tuesday in Zoom.
The simplest translation that I will give here, is “I—am He.”
I will finish as I started with some words from Paramhansa Yogananda
Solve the mystery of death
In sleep, we experience sensory relaxation.
Death is complete, though involuntary, relaxation of the spirit from the body.
It comes after the arrest of the heart’s action.
By the Hong-Sau technique, one can reach the point of relaxing even the heart, and thereby rising above its compulsion to outwardness, experiencing death consciously, and eliminating one’s sense of the mystery of death and the fear of dying.
One can learn, indeed, to leave his body voluntarily and blissfully at death, rather than being thrown out of it forcefully, often as a complete surprise.
Hong-Sau will help to put you in contact with the Great Spirit, who is present in you as your soul, and whose expression is vibration
Results will positively come, and deep calmness will be yours.
Higher intuitions will come to you after prolonged practice, and you will find yourself in touch with the unexplored reservoir of divine power.
I would love to practice with you and invite you to join us to experience the inner calmness this practice brings.
You can either come to a yoga class where we often use Hong Sau as part of our relaxation or join one of our online meditation sessions.
Got questions?
Thoughts....
Insights....comments?
Post in the comments and start a conversation
