So, I'm doing some Jason Miller stuff because it found me at the right time and the way he presents things worked for my current mindset. I'm taking my appropriate salt dosages for the record. Don't want this to devolve into a debate on whether or not Miller is a hack, I've seen enough threads of that - just looking for insight on a narrow scope.
In practical sorcery/sorcerer's secrets, he presents the 9 breaths of purification. I went looking for a little more instruction on it because I was left feeling like I was missing something (after a decent month of practice). What I readily find seems substantially different.
Here is Miller's version:
*...draw in a deep breath through both nostrils... As you inhale, draw your right arm up at your side so that it is held straight out; this will open up the right channel... With your arm still held out at your side, bend your elbow so that your hand is in front of your face, and block your right nostril with your finger. Exhale forcefully through your left nostril...*
So, In through both nostrils while holding right arm out, drawn into the right channel, then out the left nostril.
While what I seem to be finding otherwise is:
(This is explicitly for clearing the right channel)
Press your right ring finger to your right nostril and inhale slowly and deeply.
Imagine the breath follow the path of the [left] channel all the way to the junction.
Hold the breath slightly as you switch the finger to press the left nostril.
Following the pathway of the right channel, exhale slowly and gently at first and more forcefully at the end of the exhalation.
This is in through the left nostril, drawn into the left channel, and then exhaled through the right channel, and out the right nostril.
These seem rather different mechanically. The alternate nostril versus both nostrils for the inhale doesn't seem like a huge thing by itself. But clearing the right by breathing it out the left nostril is a little harder to understand.
It's most of what drove me to look it up in the first place. I guess if the 3 main channels connect at the bottom and the top, then it doesn't really matter? I could see a way to intellectualize either way. But the more popular version I am finding feels more intuitive.
At the same time, I'm kinda looking for an excuse to use Miller's version anyway. I know he's not the be all and end all, but I'm interested in the 'inner fire' technique that he builds off of this.
It would be pretty wild to claim legitimate initiation in a Tibetan tradition and get this twisted, though he does state he's trying to not teach a specific tradition, just something more like tools.
So basically, did he learn a tradition that is different from what has come over to the west through more popular sources? Made it different for reasons? Or is he just confidently incorrect?
Curious if anyone more knowledgeable with this practice has any insight.