im.

The old fashioned religion allowed and still allows a human being to
breathe like a canary bird.

Little children go to Sunday-School all their young lives, and grow up
to be devout church members, and never hear one word about the
importance of _deep breathing_.

Possibly you may think breathing lessons belong to physical culture,
and have no place in religious teachings.

There is where you err.

In order to develop your whole being, you must learn how to control
body and mind through the spirit.

Thousands of years ago, men who gave their entire lives to the study of
these things learned the great importance of deep breathing as an aid
to religious meditation.

By this practice, systematically observed, the body is calmed, the mind
is brought into subjection, and the spirit rises into control.

And in addition, absolute health is achieved.

A large portion of our physical ailments result from unused lung cells,
and consequent imperfect circulation of the blood.

Fill the lungs full--every cell--with fresh air, two or three times
daily, and do not overload the digestive organs, and sickness will fly
away to the dark regions where it belongs.

At least ten minutes morning and night should be given to the breathing
exercises.

Sit upright in a comfortable chair, alone, facing the east in the
morning and the west at night, because great magnetic force comes from
the direction of the sun.

Have a window or a door opening to the outer air.

Place your hands lightly on your knees, and close your eyes and mouth.
Leave your spine free, not touching the chair. Wear no compressing
garments or bands.

Inflate the chest and abdominal regions as you inhale deep breaths
through the nostrils, while counting seven slowly.

Exhale while you count seven. Repeat this exercise seven times.

Think as you inhale of whatever qualities you would like to possess,
and believe that you are inhaling them. Select seven qualities--Love,
Health, Wisdom, Usefulness, Power to Do Good, Success, Opulence--will
cover the average human desires. The very unworldly will substitute
spiritual knowledge for opulence. Fill your mind with the idea that
you are drawing in these qualities with your breaths, and exhaling all
that is weak or unworthy. After a few moments you will be conscious of
a security and peace new and uplifting.

And after a few weeks of steady, persistent practice of these
exercises, you will find life grow