I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray
of my heart: I am, I am, I am.
Sylvia Plath
Chances are that unless you have a head cold, and a box of tissues have been your constant companion, you are giving very little thought to your breathing. The body, in its infinite wisdom, has relegated breathing to the autonomic nervous system so that we can eat, sleep and do Sudoku puzzles all without having to think about taking our next breath. The wisdom of the body extends even deeper, as the breath is also something that we can bring under our conscious control. This attention to breath is central to meditative healing practices both ancient and modern.
How can something so simple and so ordinary have the power to transform our lives? This question arises because the mind, in an attempt to maintain control, is convinced that transformation is a very difficult process that takes years or even a lifetime to complete. The answer, however, is evident if we think about the physiological impact of breathing. Stripped down to basic science, breathing is a constant miracle. With each inhalation an invisible substance is drawn from the external world, undergoes a chemical transition, and becomes the very stuff of our existence. With each exhalation comes the expulsion of a potentially harmful invisible substance, making room for the introduction of more life-giving nutrients. From your first gasp to your last whisper, your breath is always with you, making all other processes possible.
To tune in to the healing force of breath, find a quiet spot to sit where you won’t be interrupted. Now, just pay attention to your breathing. Don’t try to change it in any way, just observe. When the inevitable stray thought arises, simply notice it and then turn your attention back to the breath. Next, watch the body as the breath enters. Feel the chest moving in and out in response to your breaths. Pay attention to the intervals of the in and out breath, and especially to that quiet moment between breaths.
Once you have a feel for your normal breathing you can begin to tinker with it a bit. On your next breath, make a point of drawing it down deep into the lungs. You should see and feel your stomach expanding out as you fill your lungs. On the exhalation, watch as the stomach sinks in and see if you can push it back towards the spine to really empty the tank. Finally, go back to normal breathing and just observe.
You will probably notice that your mind was blank during the time that you were aware of your breath. It seems that the mind cannot think and observe the breath at the same time. This is great news for those of us “thought junkies” since in the absence of the racing mind we make contact with our deeper selves. This is one of the reasons that breathing is so connected to all things spiritual.
That we can have access to this free creative energy whenever we want should be headline news. The fact that it isn’t is a symptom of our culture that looks for big ticket items and misses the more subtle nature of existence. Plus, you can’t package breath and sell it as the latest cure-all for everything from insomnia to impotence for the low price of $9.99. Although, given the state of our marketing-crazy world, don’t be surprised to find “Canned Breath” showing up in your local New Age shop right next to the box of Instant Karma cookies. Before it comes to that, take a breather, you deserve it and there's no charge.
of my heart: I am, I am, I am.
Sylvia Plath
Chances are that unless you have a head cold, and a box of tissues have been your constant companion, you are giving very little thought to your breathing. The body, in its infinite wisdom, has relegated breathing to the autonomic nervous system so that we can eat, sleep and do Sudoku puzzles all without having to think about taking our next breath. The wisdom of the body extends even deeper, as the breath is also something that we can bring under our conscious control. This attention to breath is central to meditative healing practices both ancient and modern.
How can something so simple and so ordinary have the power to transform our lives? This question arises because the mind, in an attempt to maintain control, is convinced that transformation is a very difficult process that takes years or even a lifetime to complete. The answer, however, is evident if we think about the physiological impact of breathing. Stripped down to basic science, breathing is a constant miracle. With each inhalation an invisible substance is drawn from the external world, undergoes a chemical transition, and becomes the very stuff of our existence. With each exhalation comes the expulsion of a potentially harmful invisible substance, making room for the introduction of more life-giving nutrients. From your first gasp to your last whisper, your breath is always with you, making all other processes possible.
To tune in to the healing force of breath, find a quiet spot to sit where you won’t be interrupted. Now, just pay attention to your breathing. Don’t try to change it in any way, just observe. When the inevitable stray thought arises, simply notice it and then turn your attention back to the breath. Next, watch the body as the breath enters. Feel the chest moving in and out in response to your breaths. Pay attention to the intervals of the in and out breath, and especially to that quiet moment between breaths.
Once you have a feel for your normal breathing you can begin to tinker with it a bit. On your next breath, make a point of drawing it down deep into the lungs. You should see and feel your stomach expanding out as you fill your lungs. On the exhalation, watch as the stomach sinks in and see if you can push it back towards the spine to really empty the tank. Finally, go back to normal breathing and just observe.
You will probably notice that your mind was blank during the time that you were aware of your breath. It seems that the mind cannot think and observe the breath at the same time. This is great news for those of us “thought junkies” since in the absence of the racing mind we make contact with our deeper selves. This is one of the reasons that breathing is so connected to all things spiritual.
That we can have access to this free creative energy whenever we want should be headline news. The fact that it isn’t is a symptom of our culture that looks for big ticket items and misses the more subtle nature of existence. Plus, you can’t package breath and sell it as the latest cure-all for everything from insomnia to impotence for the low price of $9.99. Although, given the state of our marketing-crazy world, don’t be surprised to find “Canned Breath” showing up in your local New Age shop right next to the box of Instant Karma cookies. Before it comes to that, take a breather, you deserve it and there's no charge.
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