that ether is the origin of all things."

Dr. Lake considers electricity as the akas, or the fifth element of the
Hindus.

I shall now give my own opinion on the mystic syllable Om.

Breath consists of an inspiration termed puraka, an interval termed
kumbhaka, and an expiration called rechaka. When the respiration is
carried on by the right nostril, it is called the pingala; when it is
carried on by the two nostrils, it is named the susumna; and when it is
carried on by the left nostril, it is called ida.

The right respiration is called the solar respiration, from its heating
nature; while the left respiration is termed the lunar respiration,
from its cooling character. The susumna respiration is called the
shambhu-nadi. During the intermediate respiration the human mind should
be engaged in the contemplation of the supreme soul.

The breath takes its origin from the "indiscreet" or unreflecting form,
and the mind from the breath. The organs of sense and action are under
the control of the mind. The Yogis restrain their mind by the
suspension of breath. Breath is the origin of all speech. The word
soham is pronounced by a deep inspiration followed by expiration carried
on by the nostrils.... This word means, "God is in us." There is
another word called hangsha. This is pronounced by a deep expiration
followed by inspiration. Its meaning is "I am in God."

The inspiration is sakti, or strength. The expiration is siva, or
death. The internal or Kumbhaka is a promoter of longevity. When the
expiration is not followed by inspiration death ensues. A forcible
expiration is always the sure and certain sign of approaching
dissolution or death. Both these words soham and hanysha cause the
waste of the animal economy, as they permit the oxygen of the inspired
air to enter the lungs where the pulmonary changes of the blood occur.

According to Lavoissier, an adult Frenchman inhales daily 15,661 grains
of oxygen from the atmosphere, at the rate of 10.87 grains nearly per
minute.

The word Om is pronounced by the inspiration of air through the mouth
and the expiration of the same by the nostrils.

When a man inspires through the mouth and expires through the nostrils,
the oxygen of the inspired air does not enter the lungs where the
pulmonary changes of the blood take place. The monosyllable Om thus
acts as a substitute for the suspension of the breath.

The waste of the body is proportionate to the quant