Reciprocal Character of Mind and Prana (Chi)

The reciprocal character of mind and prana (chi) means that a certain type of mind or mental activity is invariably accompanied by a prana of corresponding character, whether transcendental or mundane. For instance, a particular mood, feeling, or thought is always accompanied by a prana of corresponding character and rhythm, which is reflected in the phenomena of breathing. Thus anger produces, not only an inflamed thought-feeling, but also a harsh and accentuated “roughness” of breathing. On the other hand, when there is calm concentration on an intellectual problem, the thought and breathing exhibit a like calmness. When the concentration is deep, as during an effort to solve a subtle problem, unconsciously the breath is held. When one is in a mood of anger, pride, envy, shame, arrogance, love, lust, and so on, this particular “prana” or “air” can be felt immediately within oneself. In deep samadhi, no thought arises, so there is no perceptible breathing. At the initial moment of enlightenment, when normal consciousness is transformed, the prana undergoes a revolutionary change. Accordingly, every mood, thought, and feeling, whether simple, subtle, or complex, is accompanied by a corresponding or reciprocal prana. In the advanced stage of dhyana, the circulation of the blood is slowed down almost to cessation, perceptible breathing also ceases, and the yogi experiences some degree of illumination in a thoughtfree state of mind. Then not only will a change of consciousness occur, but also a change in the physiological functioning of the body. When the body is mastered (T’ai Chi) the mind is mastered. Master the mind (Zen) and the body is mastered.

Being = uncarved block