Bhramari Pranayama as an aid to meditation: A review of classical yoga texts
B. Ushamohan, A. Rajasekaran, Y. Belur, T. Srinivasan, Judu Ilavarasu
International Journal of Yoga - Philosophy Psychology and Parapsychology July 1, 2020 DOI: 10.4103/ijny.ijoyppp_21_19 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractBhramari Pranayama, a yogic technique involving breath control and attention to a self-produced sound mimicking a bumblebee, is traditionally described as an aid to attain Samadhi, or contemplative absorption. This review examines ancient texts including Saivagama texts, Yoga Upanishads, Gheranda Samhita, and Hatha Yoga Pradeepika to understand how the sound vibrations from this practice may enhance consciousness. The authors detail the technique's features and discuss its suitability for spiritual practice, research, and potential therapeutic use.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Bhramari Pranayama |
| Keywords | Psychology Philosophy |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key finding | Bhramari Pranayama, through its self-produced sound vibrations, is traditionally considered an aid to reach the state of Samadhi, and the review explores its processing and potential applications in spiritual practice and therapy. |
Abstract
Bhramari Pranayama is said to be an aid to attain Samadhi or contemplative absorption. It is a yogic technique that comprises attending to self-produced sound emulating a bumblebee along with breath control. The vibration of sound produced is the aid to enhance the level of consciousness to reach the state of Samadhi. In this review, an attempt has been made to understand the processing of sound-Bhramari in particular, right from the origin of the sound, with the help of ancient texts such as Saivagama texts, Yoga Upanishads, Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, and various other texts. Features of Bhramari Pranayama are dealt in detail with its suitability to spiritual practice, research, and its potentiality as a therapy tool.