Habs-I-dam and Kewala

Not habs-i-dam but shows the diaphragm hold effect

Habs-I-dam means ‘imprisoning the breath’.  It is not what it seems, in that although the superficial impression given is of a form of breath holding in which one expels air and then holds it out, the real method is aimed at trigger point stimulation – specifically the diaphragm.  One pulls in the diaphragm whilst expelling air in the process and then holds the diaphragm in this position.

Properly done one can actually breathe - just, thus it is not breath holding, a small amount of air can be inhaled and exhaled which keeps the person conscious but hovering towards hypoxia!  Under the Sufi system it can only be used under the strict supervision of a ‘Guide’ – a mentor - and even then only for a limited time period.  The techniques appear to have been learned from the Yogis, where it is known as Kewala.

Mashaikh-e-Chist There is another addition to Dhikr that has been prescribed by the Sufi Shaiks and many references can be found in the books of the Sufis to it.  This practise is very similar to the way of the yogis and ascetics in other oriental religions.   Moulana Zakariyah says “Shah Abu Saeed Nu’mani once wanted to experience the tajalli, which he had experienced before, so one day he sat down doing the shagl of Habs-e-dam – withholding the breath.  He resolved that he will not breath as long as the tajalli does not manifest even if it means death which he preferred to the insipid life he felt he was leading. He held his breath for several hours until finally manifestations of the tajalli occurred. Moulana Zakariyah says “Hazrat Nizamuddin al-Umri was instructed by his sheikh to recite Allahu 90 times in a single breath, gradually increasing the number in accordance with his ability.  Ultimately, he developed his ability to the extent of up to 400 times with a single breath.

 

By combining this method with the stimulation of other key trigger points [which will not be divulged], fakirs and magicians could go into a trance state that simulated death, almost their entire metabolism could be slowed to a faint glimmer of life.  As a consequence they often went out of body for extended periods.

The following allegory [a cage is symbolically our physical ‘prison’ the bars that separate us from the spiritual world] describes the technique – you 'hold your breath' until you appear to die ………….