Last month I introduced the gift of breath for caregivers, as well as the need for bringing conscious breathing into our lives. Now, we seek a deeper understanding of the full promise and power of breath as both a generator of energy and a transformative force to consciously shift that energy.
Long used by meditators as a way to inner peace, health and vitality, intentional breathing gets us in touch with the central organizing life force as it relates to a wide variety of situations: emotional responses, life habits, relationships, sleep, sexuality, childbirth and higher consciousness.
What is the wisdom inherent in conscious breathing? Michael Sky, author of Breathing, says that what we bring to our breathing determines the nature our physical and mental manifestations. Through breathing, energy gathers, circulates and radiates throughout our being. If we pay attention to the quality of our breath -- the rate, rhythm, depth, intensity, physical manner and mental awareness -- of each breath, we make a direct contribution to moving and embodying energy within our beings.
More importantly, the more deeply we breathe, the more energy we gather and the more possibilities we create for the physical and mental transformation.
The basic tenet of breath work suggests that we convert energy into physical form through the breath. Feeling good is a direct function of strong and vigorous energy. Our feelings, too -- whether fear, sadness, anger, excitement or happiness -- are comprised of energy and they serve as a fluid, moving interface between body, mind, spirit and the environment. If we are to be fully realized as human beings, we must feel life deeply, always.
When we experience the day-to-day care of a loved one, we generate energy to meet these demanding requirements. Our resolution rises to the occasion, and flows into the body and psyche of the sick or disabled person. Similarly, when we experience the loss of a loved one, we generate energy to address that loss; here, we feel sorrow.
When we experience interference with an important intention, we generate strong energy to deal with the barrier, and we are most likely to feel anger. So it is with all our feelings. If we allow ourselves to fully feel our strength, our losses, our angers, the more healing and compassionate our responses will be.
You alone have the capability of transforming the energy of negativity to an energy of positivity, and breathing is the key to this transformation.
After all the rush of the holiday season, we all need to replenish our energy. Just for today, watch your breath, and take notice when you contract (hold your breath or stop breathing for sometime). Once aware of your holding pattern, breathe deeply to reconnect with your life energies. Voila! You are revitalized!
