The space to breathe
Your breath as your guide to grounded grace
My vision for the world
is one where every single individual
human being
has the ability and the awareness
to have moments - regular moments -
where we can each pause,
sit in stillness,
and in spaciousness,
and just breathe.
-
Talk about goals, huh?
Where is it that we are working towards? Striving towards?
Where is our attention set as we cast our gaze ahead to a place that we have come to believe so worthy of our efforts?
But what if, sometimes, it isn't about efforting so much as it is intention setting - with skill - that enables a future vision to flow into reality?
I mean, don’t get me wrong! I am all about effort, much of the time. I hope I have convinced you of that, at the least!
AND.
We must learn the other half of life!
To pause. To release. To find stillness. To simply, breathe.
What happens as we skillfully learn to tune into breath? What realms open up to our conscious awareness as we come to know our breath, and all the pathways through which it guides us?
What happens is a re-acquainting with all those parts of self that you were taught to ignore; to suppress.
What happens is a re-acquainting with a vitality that is asking to surge through you!
What happens is that you heal; just as you become in tune with self in a way that enables you to act with skill.
It begins with your breath.
It begins with this connection to this most faithful guide inward.
Find a moment to sit in stillness;
Or else, stand.
Doesn’t much matter.
What does matter?
That you find that moment, and you take it.
Feel your feet on the floor; or else, your seat in your chair.
Bring your attention to the ground beneath you;
as you breath down into your lungs.
Feel that expansion in your ribs as your lungs are filled.
Exhale, releasing your breath as you let go of the moment.
Rest in stillness. Find that spaciousness. Follow it.
Let your breath guide the way.
Deepen into practice:
The following practice invites in an exploration of your breath. Find a comfortable seat where you will not be disturbed for 16 minutes, rest your eyes, and press play.