2 1 6 The Law of the Rhythmic Breath 



direct and speedy consequence. Many headaches, 

 attacks of indigestion, and even colds (following 

 mental depression) have no other origin than talk 

 which, waxing Into controversy, develops irritation, 

 heated excitement and unhappiness. 



You are now at a stage in this study of Self and 

 its forces where you can readily understand that 

 exercises in Concentration should always conclude 

 with concentration upon the higher centers, and 

 with an upward direction of currents, as these are 

 psychical and spiritual, while downward-flowing 

 currents are physical. 



Never allow the body to become tense and 

 strained during concentration; and avoid gazing 

 fixedly at any object as a help in centering the mind. 

 The practice (frequently commended) strains and 

 injures the optic nerves, impairing their power of 

 focal adjustment. As directed in an early chapter, 

 it is much better to close the eyes when concentrat- 

 ing; and when the immediate purpose of the exer- 

 cise is to restore physical harmony, confine con- 

 sciousness the inward gaze as far as possible 

 unwaveringly to the chosen center. 



I think it must be clearly understood now that 

 these exercises in Concentration are not to be con- 

 sidered from a purely utilitarian standpoint, the 

 gain in physical well-being. No ; the reward is far 

 greater than that. It is a development, a remould- 

 ing on a higher plane, of the whole character, 



