Expert: Walter Hintz - 11/28/2009

Question
Hey if you could answer this question to the best of your ability I’d really appreciate it. It is related and I’d really appreciate your opinion on the claim.

I’ve been Hindu for a while now because of the way its supports science. It actually leads me to want to learn more about science and evaluate claims made in Hinduism. As in, how the world started with sound and the big bang and the way Hinduism talks about the expanding universe and mainly the fact that “god” is not really some human thing we can understand but is energy and atoms.

As per my question, see the purpose of Hinduism is to get to a point where you can understand how the world works, eg. how every sound today originated from one, how we arrived from a single atom. People who have reached this enlightenment are known as swamis, and the only way to get there is through Kriya Yoga (meditation learning your own body, go beyond 5 senses). It is supposed to preserve you physically and swamis give the science of this.

*They claim that the techniques of this Yoga (Breathing Techniques) allow you to “decarbonizes your blood and recharge it with oxygen. The atoms of this extra oxygen produced are directed to rejuvenate the brain and spinal cord. This stops the accumulation of dirty (venous) blood and the practitioner is able to prevent the decay of tissues. These oxygen cells can also be converted into pure energy, thus providing a path to reach cosmic consciousness.”

QUESTION: Does this chemically make sense? (I’m not talking about the ability to do it with yoga, but what is happening). What is decarbonization of blood? Please express your full opinion on the claim and critique Hinduism in any way you would like, I’m not trying to convince or argue, just want to get your point of view.

Thanks so much for your time.


Answer
Hi george;
Decarbonization of the blood is another way to say that carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen is taken.  This is done through inspiration and expiration. Of course oxygen goes to the brain and all body cells.  This process is done with or without yoga.  AS to decay of tissues cellular division is constantly occurring with old worn out cells being produced and replacing the old ones which are recycled.  The recycling of worn out cells is called apoptosis.
  I suppose the statement that oxygen is converted to pure energy is another of explaining that cellular oxidation results in the storage of energy in chemical bonds.
  It seems that the statements are just another of explaining normal physiological activities.
  I guess the last statement is telling us that you need energy to understand the cosmos.  That of course is true since energy is required to do anything.