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DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORCE OF RESISTANCE
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spectator watching the scene of a drama. If you could develop such an attitude, it will bring about a great transformation in you. Old habits of the mind will change and a new consciousness, a new orientation of your self will emerge.
Some people ask as to what is achieved by perceiving breath. Breath is not God, and, therefore, why should we contemplate on it? What purpose is served by watching breath? The answer is that watching the breathing-process is not an end in itself, but a means. It is like walking on a rope suspended in the air. It is a risky game, no doubt. At every step there is the danger of falling down on the ground. However, it is an exercise in watchfulness. It is an exercise in keeping the mind alert. Once the mind has become completely trained we will make our performance successful. We will be able to watch our own performance in the same way in which we watch a film on the screen.
There is yet a third way called pratisamlinatā or the counteracting of the lures of the sense-organs. We shall discuss it later on.
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