Crowley - Liber RV Vel Spiritus Sub Figurâ CCVI

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LIBER
R V
VEL
SPRITVS
SVB FIGVRÂ
C C V I
V AA
Publication in Class D
2. Let the Zelator observe the current of his breath.
3. Let him investigate the following statements, and
prepare a careful record of research.
(a) Certain actions induce the flow of the breath through
the right nostril (Pingalā); and, conversely, the flow of
the breath through Pingala induces certain actions.
(b) Certain other actions induce the flow of the breath
through the left nostril (Iḍā), and conversely.
(c) Yet a third class of actions induce the flow of the
breath through both nostrils at once (suśumnā), and
conversely.
(d) The degree of mental and physical activity is inter-
dependent with the distance from the nostrils at
which the breath can be felt by the back of the hand.
4. First practice. Let him concentrate his mind upon the
act of breathing, saying mentally “The breath flows in,” “The
breath flows out,” and record the results. (This practice may
resolve itself into mahāsatipaṭṭhāna (vide Liber XXV)1 or induce
samādhi. Whichever occurs should be followed up as the right
Ingenium of the Zelator, or the advice of his Practicus, may
determine.)
1
[Despite the ingenious explanations which have been advanced in some quarters, I am
not convinced that this refers to the only known Liber XXV, “The Star Ruby”
(ostensibly a banishing Pentagram ritual); if nothing else the dates involved are
problematic. In any case the Buddhist meditation technique known as mahāsatipaṭṭhāna is
described in Crowley’s essay, “Science and Buddhism.” — T.S.]
1
2 LIBER R V VEL SPRITVS
5. Second practice. Prāṇāyāma. This is outlined in “Liber
E.” Further, let the Zelator accomplished in these practices
endeavour to master a cycle of 10. 20. 40 or even 16. 32. 64. But
let this be done gradually and with due caution. And when he
is steady and easy both in āsana and prānāyāma, let him still
further increase the period.
Thus let him investigate these statements which follow:
(a) If prānāyāma be properly performed, the body will
first of all become covered with sweat. This sweat is
different in character from that customarily induced
by exertion. If the Practitioner rub this sweat tho-
roughly into his body, he will greatly strengthen it.
(b) The tendency to perspiration will stop as the practice
is continued, and the body become automatically
rigid.
Describe this rigidity with minute accuracy.
(c) The state of automatic rigidity will develop into a
state characterised by violent spasmodic movements of
which the Practitioner is unconscious, but of whose
result he is aware. This result is that the body hops
gently from place to place. After the first two or
three occurrences of this experience āsana is not lost.
The body appears (on another theory) to have lost its
weight almost completely, and to be moved by an
unknown force.
(d) As a development of this stage, the body rises into the
air, and remains there for an appreciably long period,
from a second to an hour or more.
Let him further investigate any mental results which occur.
SVB FIGVRÂ CCVI 3
6. Third practice. In order both to economize his time and
to develop his powers, let the Zelator practise the deep full
breathing which his preliminary exercises will have taught him
during his walks. Let him repeat a sacred sentence (mantra) or
let him count, in such a way that his footfall beats accurately
with the rhythm thereof, as is done in dancing. Then let him
practise prāṇāyāma, at first without the kumbakha, and paying
no attention to the nostrils otherwise than to keep them clear.
Let him begin by an indrawing of the breath for 4 paces, and a
breathing out for 4 paces. Let him increase this gradually to
6.6, 8.8, 12.12, 16.16, and 24.24, or more if he be able. Next let
him practise in the proper proportion 4.8, 6.12, 8.16, 12.24 and so
on. Then, if he choose, let him recommence the series, adding
a gradually increasing period of kumbhakha.
7. Fourth practice. Following on this third practice, let him
quicken his mantra and his pace, until the walk develops into a
dance. This may also be practised with the ordinary waltz step,
using a mantra in three-time, such as ™pelqon, ™pelqon, 'Artemij;
or IAO; IAO SABAO; in such cases the practice may be combined
with devotion to a particular deity; see “Liber 175.”1 For the
dance as such it is better to use a mantra of a non-commital
character, such as to e„ai, to kalon, to 'gaqon, or the like.
8. Fifth practice. Let him practice mental concentration
during the dance, and investigate the following statement:
(a) The dance becomes independent of the will.
(b) Similar phenomena to those described in 5 (a) (b) (c)
(d) occur.
1
[“Liber Astarte vel Berylli,” official instruction of AA in Bhakti Yoga. First
published in Equinox I (7) along with the present paper, reprinted in Appendix VII of
Magick in Theory and Practice.]
(c) Certain important mental results occur.
9. A note concerning the depth and fullness of the
breathing. In all proper expiration, the last possible portion of
air should be expelled. In this the muscles of the throat, chest,
ribs, and abdomen must be fully employed, and aided by
pressing the upper arms into the flanks, and of the head into
the thorax.
In all proper inspiration, the last possible portion of air
must be drawn into the lungs.
In all proper holding of the breath, the body must remain
absolutely still.
Ten minutes of such practice is ample to induce profuse
sweating in any place of a temperature of 17° C. or over.
The progress of the Zelator in acquiring a depth and
fulness of breath should be tested by the respirometer. The
exercises should be carefully graduated to avoid overstrain and
possible damage to the lungs. This depth and fulness of breath
should be kept as much as possible, even in the rapid exercises,
with the exception of the sixth practice following.
10. Sixth practice. Let the Zelator breathe as shallowly and
rapidly as possible. He should assume the attitude of his
moment of greatest expiration, and breathe only with the
muscles of his throat. He may also practise lengthening the
period between each shallow breathing.
(This may be combined when acquired with concentration
on the viśuddhi chakra, i.e. let him fix his mind unwaveringly
upon a point in the spine opposite the larynx. ED)
11. Seventh practice. Let the Zelator breathe as deeply and
rapidly as possible.
SVB FIGVRÂ CCVI 5
12. Eighth practice. Let the Zelator practice restraint of
breathing in the following manner.
At any stage of breathing let him suddenly hold the breath,
enduring the need to breathe until it passes, returns, and passes
again, and so on until consciousness is lost, either rising into
samādhi or similar supernormal condition, or falling to
oblivion.
13. Ninth practice. Let him practise the usual forms of
prānāyāma, but let kumbhakha be used after instead of before
expiration. Let him gradually increase the period of this
kumbhakha as in the case of the other.
14. A note concerning the conditions of these
experiments.
The conditions favourable are dry and bracing air, a warm
climate, absence of wind, absence of noise, insects, and all
other disturbing influences,1 a retired situation, simple food
eaten in great moderation at the conclusion of the practices of
morning and afternoon and on no account before practising.
Bodily health is almost essential, and should be most carefully
guarded. (See “Liber 185,” Task of a Neophyte.2) A diligent
and tractable disciple, or the Practicus of the Zelator, should aid
him in his work. Such a disciple should be noiseless, patient,
vigilant, prompt, cheerful, of gentle manner and reverent to his
master, intelligent to anticipate his wants, cleanly and gracious,
not given to speech, devoted and unselfish. With all this he
should be fierce and terrible to strangers and all hostile
1
Note that in the early stages of concentration of the mind, such annoyances become
negligible.
2
[“He shall in every way fortify his body according to the advice of his Zelator, for that
the ordeal of advancement is no light one.” (Section 9).]
influences, determined and vigorous, unceasingly vigilant, the
guardian of the threshold.
It is not desirable that the Zelator should employ any other
creature than a man, save in cases of necessity. Yet for some of
these purposes a dog will serve, for others a woman. There are
also others appointed to serve, but these are not for the Zelator.
15. Tenth practice. Let the Zelator experiment if he will
with inhalations of oxygen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and
other gases mixed in small proportion with his air during his
practices. These experiments are to be conducted with caution
in the presence of a medical man of experience, and they are
only useful as facilitating a simulacrum of the results of the
proper practices, and thereby enheartening the Zelator.
16. Eleventh practice. Let the Zelator at any time during
the practices, especially during periods of kumbhakha, throw his
will utterly toward his Holy Guardian Angel, directing his eyes
inward and upward, and turning back his tongue as if to
swallow it.
(This latter operation is facilitated by severing the frænum
linguæ, which, if done, should be done by a competent surgeon.
We do not advise this or any similar method of cheating
difficulties. This is, however, harmless.1)
In this manner the practice is to be raised from the physical
to the spiritual plane, even as the words Ruh, Ruach, Pneuma,
Spiritus, Geist, Ghost, and indeed words of almost all languages,
have been raised from their physical meaning of wind, air,
breath, or movement, to the spiritual plane. (RV is the old root
meaning yoni, and hence Wheel (Fr. roue, Lat. rota, wheel),
1
[Leaving aside the danger of accidentally swallowing one’s tongue and choking to
death while asleep. — T.S.]
SVB FIGVRÂ CCVI 7
and the corresponding Semitic root means “to go” Similarly
Spirit is connected with “spiral.”—ED.)
17. Let the Zelator attach no credit to any statements that
may have been made throughout the course of this instruction,
and reflect that even the counsel which We have given as
suitable to the average case may be entirely unsuitable to his
own.
*** ***** ***
[Liber 206 was first published in Equinox I (7) in Class B; in the 1913
“Syllabus” it was placed in Class D. Key-entry &c. by Frater T.S. for
NIWG / Celephaïs Press. This e-text last revised 03.02.2018.
The plate which accompanied this text in the Equinox publication
follows overleaf. Since Crowley does not define the terms either here, in
“Liber E,” or in the glossary to Book 4, it is worth noting that
approximately, pūraka is “inhalation,” kumbhaka “retention of the breath”
and rechaka “exhalation” (definitions from glossary appended to
Vivekananda’s Rāja Yoga. ]
PRĀṆĀYĀMA PROPERLY PERFORMED
[It has been found necessary to show this because students were trying
to do it without exertion, and in other ways incorrectly.—ED.]
1. The end of pūraka. The bad definition of the image is due to the
spasmodic trembling which accompanies the action.
2. Kumbhaka. 3. The end of rechaka.

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