CHAPTER IV. 

 THE ESOTEEIC THEOEY OF BBEATH. 



The Science of Breath, like many other teachings, haa 

 Its esoteric or inner phase, as well as its exoteric or ex- 

 ternal. The physiological phase may be termed the outer 

 or exoteric side of the subject, and the phase which we will 

 now consider may be termed its esoteric or inner side. 

 Occultists, in all ages and lands, have always taught, 

 usually secretly to a few followers, that there was to be 

 found in the air a substance or principle from which all 

 activity, vitality and life was derived. They differed In 

 their terms and names for this force, as well as in the 

 details of the theory, but the main principle Is to be found 

 in all occult teachings and philosophies, and has for cen- 

 turies formed a portion of the teachings of the Oriental 

 Yogis. 



In order to avoid misconceptions arising from the 

 various theories regarding this great principle, which 

 theories are usually attached to some name given the prin- 

 ciple, we, in this work, will speak of the principle as 

 "Prana," this word being the Sanscrit term meaning "Ab- 

 solute Energy." Many occult authorities teach that the 

 principle which the Hindus term "Prana" is the universal 

 principle of energy or force, and that all energy or force is 

 derived from that principle, or, rather, is a particular form 

 of manifestation of that principle. These theories do not 

 concern us in the consideration of the subject matter of 

 this work, and we will therefore confine ourselves to an un- 

 derstanding of prana as the principle of energy exhibited 

 in all living things, which distinguishes them from a life- 

 less thing. We may consider it as the active principle of 

 life Vital Force, if you please. It is found in all forms 

 of life, from the amoeba to man from the most ele- 

 mentary form of plant life to the highest form of animal 

 life. Prana is all pervading. It is found in all things hav- 

 ing life, and as the occult philosophy teaches that life is in 

 *11 things in every atom the apparent lifelessness of 



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