8o The Law of the Rhythmic Breath 



A. 



of Akdsha is disastrous, and according to the phase 

 of its activity causes discomfort or misfortune. 

 Among the traits and emotions which give evi- 

 dence of this predominance or excess are forget- 

 < fulness, covetousness, and obstinacy (headiness), 

 and blindness and unreason in matters concerning 

 the affections. Emotions of repulsion, shame, 

 and fear are due to the same source; and the 

 tremor which shakes fear-stricken people comes 

 from hollows in the veins caused by Akdshic vibra- 

 tions in excess. To this effect is due the physical 

 and mental tension which so unnerve the victim. 



" The remedy," do you ask? What is free will 

 for, if not to give us power to choose our thoughts 

 and the deeds resulting therefrom? The " bliss " 

 of ignorance is that we are not to blame if we do 

 not know the error of certain thoughts and ac- 

 tions. Invariably we must suffer both mentally 

 and physically for such error ; but only knowledge, 

 bringing power, brings also responsibility. Never 

 forget that it is the form of motion that causes 

 the state, and that form can therefore change it. 



A caution is necessary here: It is impossible 

 to energize the nerves when they are strained by 

 constant tension. Paradoxical as it is these two 

 conditions are often confounded, but there is a 

 marked distinction between tensing and energizing 

 the nerves. The accepted theory of tension con- 

 sidered mechanically as of a wire or rope is 



