Page:Hatha yoga - or the yogi philosophy of physical well-being, with numberous excercises.djvu/66

66 itself, gives us a certain satisfaction in the non-swallowing, and which sensation continues until all, or nearly all, the food-prana is extracted from the food. You will notice if you follow the Yogi plan of eating (even partially) that you will be loth to part with the food, and that, instead of bolting it at once, you will allow it to gradually melt away in the mouth until suddenly you realize that it is all gone. And this sensation is experienced from the plainest kinds of food, which do not appeal particularly to the taste, as well as to those foods which are special favorites of your particular taste.

To describe this sensation is almost impossible, for we have no English words coined for it, as its existence has not been fully recognized by the Western races. The best we can do is to compare it by other sensations at the risk of being accused of presenting a ridiculous comparison or illustration. Here is what we mean: You know the sensation which one sometimes feels when in the presence of a highly "magnetic" person—that indescribable feeling of the absorption of strength or "vitality." Some people have so much Prana in their system that they are continually "running over" and giving it out to others, the result being that other persons like to be in their company, and dislike to leave it, being almost unable to tear themselves away. This is one instance. Another is the sensation which one obtains from being close to another whom one loves. In this case there is an interchange of "magnetism" (thought charged with Prana), which is quite exhilarating. A kiss from the loved one is so filled with "magnetism" that it thrills one from head to toe. This