THE MIRACLE OF BREATH
The majority of people live their lives without ever thinking about or sensing their breath. The first time one often becomes aware of the breath is typically when it is hard to breathe, because of an injury or if we are so stressed out that the breath is affected negatively. Breathing is our most vital body function. We can’t live for a very long time without breathing and supplying the body with oxygen. Breathing in and out is what keeps us alive. It is the first and the last thing we do in life and wherever we go, whatever we experience, our breath is with us every moment throughout our entire life. It is our true companion in joy and sorrow. So let us be more aware of our breath in everyday life and let us become best friends for a lifetime with our breath. We will gradually discover the great gifts and blessings it offers to us for free.
Body – Mind – Breath
Breathing is so basic for living that we don’t even think about it. It just happens. But what is interesting about our breath is that it changes all the time depending on how we feel, how we think and act. If we observe our breathing, we can easily see how it changes from calm and deep breathing when we relax, to fast and superficial when we are in a hurry or even just think stressful, bothering thoughts. There is plenty of evidence that shows that breath, body and mind communicate with each other and this communication goes both ways. The quality of my thoughts, emotions and actions influence my breath and the quality of my breathing immediately influences my body, my mind and my experience in the present moment.
Thinking stressful thoughts will make the body tense, we breathe faster and more superficially and we release stress hormones. On the other hand breathing in and out slowly and deeply with an attitude of letting go of thoughts and tensions, will make our body relax, our thoughts and emotions will soften and calm down. We now release happy hormones like endorphins and serotonin and gradually we enter a more calm and content state. Awareness of breath takes us from unconscious and conditioned reactions to being able to respond in a more conscious and mindful way to the situation at hand.
Prana – Chi – Life Energy
In Eastern Traditional Medicine and spiritual practice the breath plays an important role. It supplies our body not only with oxygen but also with Chi or Prana, the subtle and essential life energy that emanates from the sun and flows through the cosmos and through everything alive. Awareness of breath heightens the flow of Prana through the body. A rich and balanced flow of Chi or Prana brings overall health benefits and facilitates self healing. Conscious breathing and body exercises that balance the breath and the energy in the body are highly recommended and used as part of holistic treatment and health. I mentioned above that thoughts and emotions also have the power to balance or disturb the flow of Prana in the body. Mantras, affirmations and healing meditations are powerful tools to channel the flow of Pranic energy and balance the energetic system.
Presence
From a spiritual perspective awareness of breath is a portal to presence. That’s why being aware and mindful of our breath and letting it flow softly is the number one Mindfulness practice. It connects us to and keeps us aligned with our essential core being, balancing our emotions and calming our mind. On his deathbed the Buddha told his disciples, the one thing they should never ever give up or forget is awareness of breath. It thus became the core practice of Buddhism.
In Yoga philosophy the breath is seen as the subtle silk thread that connects the different layers of our physical, mental, emotional and energetic existence with the subtle blissful essence of the soul, the Atma. Our individual soul, the Atma is again connected to and part of the universal soul, the Paramatma, the divine light, the divine presence. Awareness of breath will naturally help us to open up for the light by clearing and healing the different layers of our personality. The miracle of the breath is guiding us on our spiritual journey back home.