k~Blog

I get a lot of questions on Restorative Meditation, especially on the “backward-flowing” method. In fact, I just received a reprint of an article in the 1992 issue of Ascent Magazine in the mail. The article was a review of Michael Murphy's 1992 book, THE FUTURE OF THE BODY. It contained an extensive discussion of the “backward-flowing” method and THE SECRET OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER. Obviously, the sender knew I had worked with the method and that it was part of Restorative Meditation. I don't know who sent the article, but I appreciate the gesture.

And while I say there was a discussion, nowhere was there an explanation of how to practice, employ, or use the “backward-flowing” method. That’s fairly standard and stems from the fact that most people who write about it have never attempted a first-hand empirical practice of the method. They understand how Kundalini can restore the body, but they have no practical, empirical knowledge.

The author of the article seemed to know a lot about Kundalini, but most of his information was second-hand. He quoted extensively from The Secret of Yoga: “If we accept as true even a tithe of what the ancient masters claim for Kundalini—super consciousness, psychic powers, longevity, radiant health, genius, and a host of other gifts and talents—this points to a hidden source of energy and strength in the body, so marvelous, so potent, and so precious for the peace and happiness of mankind that no price paid for it and no sacrifice made to acquire the secret would be too great.”

He went on to describe how the method produces an “upward flow of the nerve energy.” Okay fine, but how do you do it? On this most sources are mute. It can be done, it has been done, they say, but don’t ask us how.

Well, here’s how it works: It’s based on an ancient breath control technique that entails reversing the direction of the breath at a certain time during the meditation process—about one hundred days in. The “backward-flowing” method brings an element of standardization to the process, ensuring a reliable outcome.

That’s because, once you start the “backward-flowing” method—reversing the direction of the breath—you switch to autopilot. What do I mean by autopilot? Remember the Ram Dass saying: “First, you do it, then it does you?” It's an apt description. When you start RM, you focus on breathing in and out. Then, at a certain point in time—one I clearly describe how to recognize—you reverse the direction of your breath. From that point forward, you no longer have to focus on breathing. An inner mechanism—part of the Kundalini process—takes over. Instead of you doing it, it does you. You don’t have to worry about making choices; your body makes them for you—like an unseen ground controller that guides an aircraft to a safe landing.

Why is the “backward-flowing” method safe? Many methods suggest “thinking” or “visualizing” the seminal fluid up the spinal column. This is not reliable because the seminal fluid may be drawn up the wrong channel, as in the case of Gopi Krishna. The “backward-flowing” method works like pump priming. First you reverse your breath, start it moving in the opposite direction, then, without further intervention on your part, the “pump priming” procedure begins automatically drawing the seminal fluid up the correct channel along the spine.

After reading my description on how to practice and implement the process, many readers tell me, “I still don’t understand the “backward-flowing” method.” I’m forced to reply, “You won’t, not until you get RIGHT UP TO IT!”

“And when will that be?” they ask.

“When you detect the property of breath movement in the lower belly,” I reply.

Of course, if you have not learned diaphragmatic breathing to control heart rate, you will probably not get to the point where your breath slows down enough. You need to implement the first two steps of the method:

1.    Diaphragmatic breathing,
2.    Use of Diaphragmatic breathing to control the heart rate.

Keep practicing until you detect an air current in the lower belly. Then, and only then, will you be able to change the direction of the breath.

For more on diaphragmatic breathing, listen to THE GET LIFE RIGHT PODCAST 02.