Prana – The Driving Force of Life

The study of Upanishads provides one with a foundational understanding of Hindu philosophy and culture. The sincere seeker gains a greater understanding of the meaning of life, relevant thousands of years ago to present time. It addresses concepts of human existence such as karma, bondage, the ultimate self, liberation, bliss, God and the Universe. Some souls seem to seek answers to burning questions in their hearts, while others are content with just living their lives in this earthly existence. I am one who has had that “rock in my shoe” feeling ever since I was a child. I’ve struggled with existence in this realm. Having experienced emotional and addiction issues, I’ve felt caught between a physical world that did not make sense in my perception and a spiritual world that my consciousness had forgotten about. This is why I’ve chosen to write about the first three questions presented in the Prashna Upanishad by the six rishis to Sage Pippalada. It addresses the nature of prana, the symbol of Saguna, lower nature of Brahman, creation, the powers of the physical body and the source. In my experience, the topic of prana provides a stable bridge of understanding from earthly reality to the realm of the Divine. I will provide a brief sharing, though limited, of my own experiences and thoughts related to these questions.

Being an avid yoga practitioner and teacher, I have been introduced to practices steeped in Hindu culture through Rishiculture Gitananda Yoga in Southern India. This lineage places high importance on practices and teachings that connect one with the subtle and causal energies of existence. My experiences of the practices as well as the teachings in the Prashna Upanishad have helped me tune inward to my own energetic needs and greater Pancha kosha (energy bodies) or Hiranyagharba. This

yoga is intended to remerge the seeker with the Self like a drop remerges with the ocean.

The first question and answer address the nature of the creator and the created. The creator has a desire to vibrate. From the creation of the sun (prana) and moon (rayi), the One became many. Rayi is said to be present everywhere as both subtle and gross matter. The prana of the Universe is seen in the core of the sun. Those who pursue the path of the sun, northern route through discipline, self-analysis and faith, what is known in the Yoga Sutras as Kriya Yoga, as well as meditation, are free from the cycle of rebirth. Those who pursue external pleasures, seek reward for the fruits of their labor and perform outward rituals, travel by way of the southern route of darkness and will be caught in the web of rebirth after physical death to work out past karmas. I think when a soul becomes sick and tired of being sick and tired, perhaps, is when they begin to seek the northern path. This is where I feel as though my soul is in the process of evolution.

It is interesting to note the similarities between this question and what is written in the bible by apostle Paul to the believers in Thessalonica around AD 51. I will paraphrase here by saying that Paul proclaims that the believers will not have to fear the second coming of the Lord and His wrath because they are children of the light and of the day. They do not belong to the kingdom of darkness and of the night like many idol worshippers of that time. Those who travel the northern path of light will obtain eternal life. I find myself thinking how much this is relevant in today’s day and age. It is essential to contemplate what one worships and believes in. The more I come to awaken to the unpleasant realities of the world and human nature, the more I find myself leaning into the unseen world of true reality and God.

Through this seeking, I have received the rewards of peace and inner-contentment by a conscious effort to try and travel this northern path. My own spiritual journey consists of discipline, self-analysis, and daily surrender to God to the best of my ability. This desire to live by this path has sprung up from years of walking the way of darkness and enduring suffering and internal conflict from the allure of the external world. I simply

did not realize at that time how distorted my perception of reality was and through the practice and study of yoga, most specifically yama and niyama, has led me towards the journey of the sun.

The second question addresses the powers that support the created world and the physical body. Sage Pippalada answers by saying that prana is the power-source, encompassing all the elements. When prana ceases to exist, life ceases to exist. The sense organs are governed by prana. It is said that where the mind goes, the prana flows. In my own experiences of pranayama (control and observance of this life-force energy), I have come to observe both gross as well as subtle effects on my body, mind and emotions. The conscious choice to practice pranayama is an act of appreciation to prana and a vital step in crossing the bridge of consciousness to the inner practices of meditation. I have experienced this, too, while practicing the pranava AUM. Overall, when I take up pranayama sadhana (dedicated time of practice), I notice that my senses become refined, I am less reactive to external stimuli, and feel a sense of ease. On a gross level, I noticed that I do not need to take in as much food as well as hours of sleep.

The third question addresses the nature of prana, where it comes from, how it enters, how it leaves the body at the time of physical death, and how it supports the functions of the body. Prana divides itself into the four other subtle forms of apana, samana, vyana and udanah. This knowledge and experience of the many forms of prana is essential in the process of self-realization.

All in all, through Prana, the mind’s desires may be fulfilled in one’s lifetime. I find myself asking: “What then are my desires? Have they sprung from action/reactions from past incarnations? Are they pleasing to God?” The answers to these questions have evolved and changed as I’ve grown in age and in spirit and will continue to do so. At this present time, I find myself desiring what I already have. Knowing that prana originates from Brahaman, I give thanks for this life force energy that allows me to live, see, hear, taste, feel, digest, think, eliminate what doesn’t serve me,

circulate essential nutrients, and rise towards my highest self. The more I study and inquire about the nature of Prana and Brahman, the more I realize how little I know. But I have found that my own experiences and limited knowledge can be helpful to other fellow seekers in this journey of life. Just as the Rishi’s did, I will continue to inquire and learn through daily surrender of my own thoughts, words and deeds to the giver of life, ultimate Brahaman, God and the Universe.