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Summary of Question:	Simran Focus?
Category:	Meditation
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 8/20/2002 7:08 PM MDT

I have several questions that I hope you can answer for me.

1) When doing swas simran (the one that goes with the breath) how exactly is it done? Am I supposed to focus on any particular part of my body (ie. third eye area, top of head 'dasam dwar').

2)Is there a different effect from focusing on different parts of the body? If so, what are they?

3)For a period of about one week i allowed my attention to rest just bellow my naval as I noticed my breathing. Over time I started to feel a sort of energy, a "sweet" sensation that rose and fell inside me as I breathed in and out. What was this and why did it happen? note, I was not doing swas simran at the time.

Thank you for taking time to answer my question.

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REPLY
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Sat Siri Akaal.
I think it's great you are practicing simran!
1. I'm not sure what 'swas' simran is, but it is always good to keep a focus on one of the higher 'centers' or chakras, as they're called. Heart, 3rd eye (center of forehead) and dasam dwar (crown chakra) are all OK, but see next answer...
2. Yes, the focus on the different centers CAN have different effects. Be careful of focusing on the 10th gate at the crown. Until you are really in mastery of swas simran, I would hate to see you come ungrounded from putting focus there before you are ready for its effects. Focus on the 3rd eye is good. A safe way to activate the 3rd eye without overdoing is to keep the eyes 1/10 open (barely open) and focus on the tip of the nose! Focus at the heart is a nice way to open the heart and expand light/love from/to heart chakras.
3. Focusing below the navel: When I studied Chinese Tai Ji Chuan, I was taught that the area below the navel is considered the root of the 'chi' or life force that all of us have. Your focus there both activated those centers and 'grew' that chi. The thing to do when you achieve that 'sweet' sensation is to then conciously circulate that energy throughout your body. It can be very healing and strengthening.
Keep up!
-DKK