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 Table of Contents  
LETTER TO EDITOR
Year : 2018  |  Volume : 6  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 94-95

Effect of anapanasati meditation technique through electrophotonic imaging parameters: Letter


1 Department of Yoga Therapy, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi, India
2 Department of Yoga and Physical Sciences, S-VYASA Yoga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Date of Web Publication28-Nov-2018

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Guru Deo
Department of Yoga Therapy, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, 68, Ashoka Road, Gole Dak Khana, New Delhi - 110 001
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijny.ijoyppp_4_18

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How to cite this article:
Deo G, Srinivasan TM. Effect of anapanasati meditation technique through electrophotonic imaging parameters: Letter. Int J Yoga - Philosop Psychol Parapsychol 2018;6:94-5

How to cite this URL:
Deo G, Srinivasan TM. Effect of anapanasati meditation technique through electrophotonic imaging parameters: Letter. Int J Yoga - Philosop Psychol Parapsychol [serial online] 2018 [cited 2024 Mar 28];6:94-5. Available from: https://www.ijoyppp.org/text.asp?2018/6/2/94/246333



We wish to point out an error in the discussion of observations reported in a paper in your esteemed journal.[1] The authors have used Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV) device for assessing changes in subtle energy parameters with and without Nadishuddhi pranayama after a brief exposure to cell phone electromagnetic fields (EMF). The author state: “These results are consistent with our previous randomized controlled study where we found similar effects of radio frequency (RF)-EMF on subtle energy levels. Adding Nadishuddhi did not produce any significant subtle energy enhancing effects irrespective of ON or OFF status of mobile phones. On the other hand, we found that adding Nadishuddhi procedure without RF-EMF exposure had an independent subtle energy-reducing effect on integral area (IA) as compared to MPOF condition. IA is a marker of the overall energy field, and our results show that RF-EMF exposure reduced the overall energy field as compared to control” [1, p. 39].

It is indeed intuitive to think that there should be an enhancement of IA (integral area which indicates overall energy in the practitioner) immediately after pranayama (or any other Yogic technique). However, in an earlier study, it was observed that reduction in IA values is found to be positive outcome of meditation.[2] It is stated “However, it is likely reduction of IA observed in meditators could be due to reduced availability of electrons in the body. This in its turn depends on the reduction of free radicals in healthy meditators” [2, p. 120]. Thus, reduction in IA is concomitant with reduced free radicals which are a positive outcome of meditation practice.

It should be noted that in both the studies, the subjects were (self-reported) healthy controls and were nonsmokers and also had no habit of alcohol consumption. Since they were also not under treatment for any chronic diseases, their health status could be considered to be similar. It is known smoking reduces IA, perhaps due to deficiencies in electron sources. Further, long-term medication and some cognitive states could also alter electron availability, and hence IA values should be carefully interpreted. In these two studies, since the subjects were of similar background (with respect to health status); it is most likely that IA reduction should be due to similar reasons, namely reduction in free radicals in the subjects.

In earlier studies on Transcendental Meditation (TM), it was reported that a reduction in biophoton emission is observed immediately after TM practice.[3] The lower values of biophoton emission in practitioners of meditation are due to lower stress experienced by them. Further, it is stated that “Stress is connected to increased production of reactive oxygen species and related chemical reactions resulting in cell and tissue damage” [3, p. 37]. Thus, lowered biophoton emission is a positive outcome of meditation. In GDV, we measure electron emission from fingertips. Here too, it is hypothesized that reduction in electron emission – similar to reduced biophoton emission – is considered as an indication of reduced oxidative stress and hence should be interpreted as a positive impact of Yogic practices. This is exactly what the authors of the initial paper has found; hence, it is evident that pranayama that was introduced had a positive effect and not as reported.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

1.
Bhargav P, Suresh V, Hankey A, Bhargav H. Application of gas discharge visualization technique for assessing effects of mobile phone induced electromagnetic field on subtle energy levels of teenagers and protective value of yoga intervention. Int J Yoga Philosop Psychol Parapsychol 2016;4:36-41.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Deo G, Itagi RK, Thaiyar MS, Kuldeep KK. Effect of anapanasati meditation technique through electrophotonic imaging parameters: A pilot study. Int J Yoga 2015;8:117-21.  Back to cited text no. 2
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3.
Van Wijk EP, Koch H, Bosman S, Van Wijk R. Anatomic characterization of human ultra-weak photon emission in practitioners of transcendental meditation(TM) and control subjects. J Altern Complement Med 2006;12:31-8.  Back to cited text no. 3
    



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1 “How to Interpret Integral Area Variable of Gas Discharge Visualization?” – Response to the Letter to Editor
Suman Bista, Nishitha Jasti, Hemant Bhargav
International Journal of Yoga - Philosophy, Psychology and Parapsychology. 2019; 7(1): 24
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

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