Inhale to the count of four, hold the breath to the count of four, exhale to the count of four and hold the vacuum to the count of four. Repeat for a total of four cycles.
This summarises the O.’s use of the Four Fold Breath technique taught to members of the Outer. While given early in the students journey, the technique forms the foundation that will last the practitioners lifetime, commencing all Ceremonial and Meditational working with this method. Even the G.H. Chiefs employ this technique in their Work.
The significance of the number four will grow on you as your understanding develops. In simple terms it relates to the Quaternary, the Elements and the Four letters of the Name, and to Malkuth and Assiah in particular. It can be seen literally as the foundation.
The Four Fold Breath should commence all Meditations. Performed as a part of any ritual work, after many years of use simply breathing in this way transports the practitioner instantly into a ritualistic frame of mind, just as does smelling ritual incense and putting on regalia and robes. Unlike robes and incense, the Four Fold Breath can be done for instance on a crowded street and thus the practitioner not be “constrained to wear one kind of habit, but to follow the custom of the country.”
A series of accompanying visualisation techniques can be added as one becomes more proficient and advanced in the O.’s techniques. To sow some seeds, here are some potential avenues for exploration.
Incorporate into Q Cross – draw down as you commence the inhale, hold the breath as you touch your chest, exhale and draw the light to your feet and so on. With more practice this circulation can be repeated Four times for each of the Four Worlds.
The Grade Signs, for those of the Philosophus Grade and above, can also form part of this technique – in some respects as a type of Western yoga.
As a learning technique, you could associate symbols with each phase of the Four Fold Breath, and visualise them during each phase. There being 16 phases, this can be used to learn the Geomantic Signs, or being a pattern of Four, for the Zelator this is a good way of learning the Quaternary.
Certainly not lastly, for members of the Outer O. the Four Fold Breath can be used to assist in exploring the various Crosses given to contemplate as the Four Fold Breath clearly has Four at its heart, but hidden in plain sight is the number Five.
Few methods given to the junior members of the O. are frivolous. Most contain purpose and cumulative effect. All should be performed diligently as if the very Angels were watching over the performance. For some, they may very well be!
Kasmillos
