XXVII. The Solar Energy
Our students are, of course, more or less familiar with
the fundamental scientific principles of astronomy. That is to say, they are aware that even in that infinitesimally
small portion of the Universe of which we have any
knowledge through the sense of sight, even when
aided by the most powerful telescopes, there arc millions
of fixed stars-all of which are suns, equal in size to,
and in some cases many times larger than the sun governing our particular
planetary system. Each sun is a centre of energy for
its planetary system. Our sun is the greater radiator of
energy for our planetary system, which is composed of
several planets known to science, and several still
unknown to astronomers- our own planet, the Earth, being
but one of a large family.
Our
sun, like the other suns, is continually throwing off energy into space, which
energy vitalizes its surrounding planets and makes life
possible on them. Without the rays of the sun,
life would be impossible on the earth-even the most
simple forms of life known to us. We are all
dependent upon the sun for vitality- vital
force. This vital force or energy is of course that which the Yogis know as
Prana. Prana is of course everywhere, yet certain centres
are constantly being used to absorb and again send
this energy-to keep up a perpetual current as it were.
Electricity is everything, but still dynamos and like centres are
necessary to gather
it up and send it out in concentrated form. A constant current of Prana is
maintained between the sun and its several planets,
It is generally
taken for granted (and modern science does
not dispute it) that the sun is a mass of seething fire-a sort of fiery furnace, and that the light and heat which we receive are the emanations from
this great furnace. But the Yogi
philosophers have always held differently. They teach that although the constitution
of the sun, or rather the conditions prevailing there, are so different from those prevailing here that the human mind would have much difficulty in forming
an intelligent conception of them,
still it is not literally a mass of
matter in combustion, just as a blazing ball of burning coal would
be-nor is it as a ball of molten iron.
Neither of these conceptions are accepted by the Yogi teachers. They
hold, on the contrary, that the sun is
composed largely of certain substances very similar to the newly
discovered substance known as "radium." They do not say that the sun
is composed of radium, but have held for
many centuries that it is composed
of numerous substances, or forms of matter, having properties similar to those observed to exist in that substance
which the Western world is just now thinking
so much about, and which its discoverers have termed radium. We are not
attempting to describe or explain radium, but are merely stating that it seems
to possess certain qualities and properties
which the Yogis teach are possessed
in varying degrees by the several substances forming the
"sun-matter." It is very probable
that some of the other sun-substances may yet be found on this
planet-resembling radium and yet having points of difference.
This sun-substance is not in a
molten state, or in a state of combustion as we generally use the word. But it
is constantly drawing to itself a current of Prana from the planets, passing it through some wonderful process of Nature
and sending a return current to the planets. As our students know, the
air is the principal source from which we
extract Prana, but the air itself receives it from the sun. We have told
how the food we eat is filled with Prana, which we extract and use- but the
plants receive their Prana from the sun. The sun is the great store-house of
Prana for this solar system, and is a mighty dynamo constantly sending forth
its vibrations to the limits of its system, vitalizing everywhere and making
possible life-physical life, we mean, of course.
This book is not the place in which
to attempt to describe the wonderful facts
regarding the sun's work, which arc known to the best Yogi teachers, and
we touch upon the subject merely that our students will know the sun for what
it is, and realize what it means to all living creatures. The object of this
chapter is to bring to your minds the fact that the sun's rays are filled with
vibrations of energy and life, which we are using
every moment of our lives, but which we are most likely not using to the
degree possible to us. Modern and civilized people seem afraid of the sun-they
darken their rooms, cover themselves all over with heavy clothes in order to
keep out its rays-run away from it in fact. Now, remember right here that when
we speak of the sun's rays, we are not speaking of heat. Heat is
produced by the action of the sun's rays coming
in contact with the earth's atmosphere-outside of the earth's
atmosphere (in the inter-planetary regions)
intense cold prevails, because there is no resistence
offered the sun's rays. So when we tell you to take
advantage of the sun's rays, we do not mean to sit out
in the heat of the mid-summer sun.
You
must stop this practice of running away from the sunlight. You must admit the
sun to your rooms. Do not be so afraid of your rugs
or carpets. Do not keep your best rooms closed all
the time. You do not wish your rooms to be like a
cellar into which the sun never shines. Open your windows
in the early morning, and let the rays of the sun,
either direct or reflected, beat into the room, and
you will find an atmosphere of health, strength and
vitality gradually prevading your home, replacing the old atmosphere of
disease, weakness and lack of life.
Get out into the sun once in awhile-don't shun the sunny
side of the street, except when the weather is very
warm indeed, or about noon-time. Take sun-baths
occasionally. Get up a few minutes earlier, and stand,
sit or lie down in the sun, and let it freshen up your
whole body. If you are so situated that you may do so,
take off your clothing and let the sun's rays reach your body without the interference of clothing. If you have
never tried this, you will scarcely believe how much
virtue there is in a sun-bath, and how strong you will
feel after it. Do not dismiss this subject without a thought. Experiment a
little with the sun's rays, and get some of the
benefit of the direct vibrations on your
body. If you have any special weakness of the body,
you will find that you will obtain relief by letting the rays of the sun reach the affected part, or the surface
of the body, right over the affected part.
The early morning rays of the sun are by far the most
beneficial, and those who rise early and get the benefit of these fresh rays
are to be congratulated. After the sun has
risen about five hours, the vital effects
of the rays lessen, and then gradually decrease as the day nears its
close. You will notice that flowerbeds
which receive the early morning sunshine, thrive much better than those
who get only the afternoon rays. All lovers
of flowers understand this, and realize that sunshine is as necessary to healthy plant life, as is water, air and good soil. Study the plants a
little-get back to nature, and read your lesson there. The sun and air are wonderful tonics-why do you not
partake of them more freely?
In
other parts of this book, we have spoken of the power of
the mind to attract to the system an additional share of
prana from the air, food, water, etc. And this is true of the Prana or vital
force in the sun's rays- you may increase
the benefit by the proper mental attitude. Walk out in the morning sun-lift up
your head, throw back your shoulders, take a few good breaths of the air which is being charged with Prana from
the sun's rays. Let the sun shine on you. And then, form the mental image suggested by the words, while
you repeat the following (or similar) mantram: "I am bathed in Nature's beautiful sunlight-I am
drawing from it life, health, strength and vitality. It is making me
strong and full of energy. I feel the influx of Prana-I feel it coursing all through my system, from my head to
my feet, invigorating my entire body. I love
the sunlight, and get all its benefits."
Practice this whenever you get an opportunity, and then
you will gradually begin to realize what a good thing you have been missing all
these years while you have been
running away from the sun. Do not unduly expose yourself to the mid-summer sun,
on hot days, particularly about noon. But, winter and
summer, the early morning rays will not hurt you. Learn to love the sunlight and all
that it stands for.
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