Prana, The Breath of Life
Prana is generally thought of as the vital life force that originates from the sun, assimilated by the earth and distributed to all living things giving them the vital force to thrive.
Actually, it is a much more universal force than commonly assumed, for DK says this:
“Prana might be defined as the life-essence of every plane in the sevenfold area which we call the cosmic physical plane. It is the LIFE of the planetary Logos, reduced within limits, animating, vivifying and correlating all the seven planes (in reality the seven subplanes of the cosmic physical plane) and all that is to be found within and upon them.” Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, Pages 154-155
Instead of merely being a force that enhances physical life, DK tells us here that it is “the life-essence… (of all) the seven subplanes of the cosmic physical plane.”
Thus we can assume that prana not only sustains life on earth, but even in the realm of the soul and higher.
He calls it “The Life Principle, the breath of Life.” Initiation, Human and Solar, Page 222
Even though prana represents the life force on all seven planes of our existence, most of what is revealed about it concerns the physical plane and it is here we will focus.
And remember when DK speaks of the physical plane he includes not just the physical we can see, but also the four planes of etheric matter.
In fact, prana has little to do with the physical body we can see but circulates through our etheric double which we cannot normally see.
He says, “prana which is an aspect of the energy composing the etheric body.” Rays and Initiations, Pg 352
Prana not only composes the etheric double of our physical bodies, but “is that substance of which the vital body of the planet is made.” Esoteric Healing, Page 287
You might say that the prana that reaches us is prana at its lowest concretized level. But then DK names a corresponding aspect of prana that is lower still. He speaks of “crystallised prana of the financial world (that is) turned to the helping of mankind.” Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 2, Page 337
Indeed, when you think about it, the positive use of money sustains a flow of energy that enhances life on the planet. If all money were to disappear tomorrow life would come to a standstill.
But as it pertains to our physical life he says this:
“Prana, therefore, which is active radiatory heat, varies in vibration and quality according to the receiving Entity. Man passes the prana through his etheric vehicle, colors it with his own peculiar quality, and so transmits it to the lesser lives that make up his little system.” Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Page 102
If that receiving and transmitting process is fluid without friction and blockages the person will enjoy good health, but if not, many problems can occur.
DK says this: “The ills of the flesh are unknown to the man who absorbs and distributes prana with accuracy. This hint is recommended to all physicians, and when properly comprehended, will result in a basic change in medicine, from a curative to a preventive foundation.” Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Page 123
We receive prana directly from the sun as well as from the earth. We receive it directly from the sun through two centers:
“The main centre for the reception of prana at present is a centre between the shoulder blades. Another has been allowed to become partially dormant in man through the abuses of so-called civilisation, and is situated slightly above the solar plexus. In the coming rootrace, and increasingly in this, the necessity for the exposure of these two centres to the rays of the sun, will be appreciated, with a corresponding improvement in physical vitality and adaptability.” Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Page 98
He tells us that because of clothing and shelter that most of humanity are stunted at receiving this powerful solar prana though these two centers. Exposure of the skin to the right amount of sunshine has many health benefits.
He further explains that it is essential to keep our spleen and spine in good shape to insure good distribution of prana once received:
“In the etheric body, which is an exact replica of its denser counterpart, we have the organ of active or radiatory fire, and, as is well known, the vehicle of prana. Its function is to store up the rays of radiatory light and heat which are secured from the sun, and to transmit them, via the spleen, to all parts of the physical body. Hence in the future it will come to be recognised that the spine and the spleen are of the utmost importance to the physical well-being of man, and that when the spinal column is duly adjusted and aligned, and when the spleen is freed from congestion and in a healthy condition, there will be little trouble in the dense physical body.” Treatise on Cosmic Fire, Page 57
Correct focus on breathing enhances the reception and prana and promotes health, but rather than concentrate on the physical aspect of breathing it is important to sustain thought behind it:
“The power and subtlety of the pranayama (breathing) process lies in the potency of the thought behind the act of breathing and not at all really in the inflation and deflation of the torso. The whole thing is summed up in the aphorism, ‘Energy follows thought.’” Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 1, Page 356
Much of the prana we receive is through our food supply so it is of great importance to be wise in our choice of what we consume. It is important to choose our food from sources not polluted with chemicals and to consume food as close to the harvest as possible and raw in many cases. Plants will lose prana shortly after harvesting.
One way to receive maximum prana from the plant kingdom is to grown your own sprouts, for a healthy sprouted seed maintains a high level of prana.
These are a few helpful comments on prana, but there is much more written in the Bailey books and Theosophical literature for those seeking an in depth understanding.
To return to the source, follow the breath; it leads to the root of being. – Lao Tzu
June 16, 2025
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