In the spiritual teachings, tantra, and the Yoga Sutras of the sage Patanjali, the term prana is frequently mentioned. While interpreting the Yoga Sutras, most commentators agree that the term prana used in this context is not synonymous with breath. It refers to the vital energy that permeates the universe. Everything that possesses life or functions in the cosmos does so because of this prana. It represents the sum total of the energy manifest in the universe. However, in common understanding, prana is often confused with breath or even the soul.
Tantra also distinguishes prana from breath. According to tantra, when we inhale, a subtle energy particle, referred to as prana, enters the body alongside oxygen. This prana exits the body during exhalation. Prana is an energy force known by various names across cultures, such as Qi, Ki, Chi, Bioplasm, Life Force, or kundalini energy. When one practices yoga or meditation, the intake of prana increases significantly, while its outward flow reduces. This balance is why practitioners of physical yoga and meditation are healthier and tend to live longer. Meditation, in particular, surpasses physical yoga in promoting health, provided the practitioner achieves a state of deep concentration.
Modern science now acknowledges that Earth’s atmosphere contains numerous molecules yet to be fully understood. Scientists also believe that the universe harbors elements and energies whose details are still unfolding. Some researchers have even identified a molecule thought to be fundamental to the creation of the universe, though its nature remains under investigation.
One could argue that spirituality, tantra, and yoga discovered this essence—prana—long ago. It is the vital energy that sustains the body. As long as this energy remains abundant within us, illness and death are kept at bay. Even science acknowledges that the human body has an inherent mechanism to heal and strengthen itself, as exemplified by neuroplasticity.
Tantric philosophy further asserts that through advanced stages of meditation, particularly those approaching samadhi (absorption), one can gain awareness of their own death and the specifics of their next birth, including its timing and location. A sign of impending death is when the outward flow of prana exceeds its inward movement. Similarly, illnesses manifest when the flow of prana becomes imbalanced, with more energy leaving the body than entering it.
Have you ever met a true yogi? A yogi does not necessarily conform to the stereotypical image of a wandering ascetic. Today, many who don the garb of saints are far from authentic. A true yogi may lead a simple, unassuming life. In their presence, one often feels an inexplicable vibration or thrill, a sense of calmness and radiance emanating from their face, and a noticeable stillness in their gaze, as their eyelids blink minimally. Similar experiences can occur at sacred sites, which are infused with heightened pranic energy.
Why do these experiences occur? A yogi or a sacred place radiates an abundance of prana, and when you are in such an environment, you absorb this energy, resulting in feelings of bliss and completeness. However, this effect is temporary and tends to fade after a few days. Conversely, when you visit a hospital or encounter someone gravely ill, the opposite happens. In such cases, the prana within you diminishes as it is drawn away, owing to the low pranic energy present in the sick.
By cultivating and directing prana, you can channel it to heal ailing parts of your body. With practice, you can even use prana to heal others. This principle forms the foundation of practices like spiritual healing, kundalini awakening, psychic healing, and Reiki.
Prana is not merely a concept but an essential force that links the microcosm of the individual with the macrocosm of the universe. Through its understanding and application, we unlock the profound potential to heal, transform, and connect with the divine essence of existence.
