The breath has no religion. It has no preferences, except to just breathe. It’s there from the moment we’re born until the day we die. It’s something we can control, and yet something that happens involuntarily.
It is a gateway to our inner world, and a wonderful teacher.
It can teach us about our mental/emotional state — is it deep and relaxed, or stressed and shallow?
It can teach us about impermanence — every breath comes and goes. Every exhale is a chance to let go. Every inhale a chance to wake up.
About interconnectedness — every breath is an exchange with the environment and connects us to all living beings.
And so much more.
But how often are we actually aware of the breath?
The breath is one of the ways I check in with myself dozens/hundreds of times a day. Mindfulness is practiced in every moment, not just on a cushion.
What’s fascinating is what happens when you notice your breath (and the sensations of your breath in your body), as you talk to others and go about your day.
You start to notice your internal state as you interact with the world around you. You start to notice what place you’re coming from — am I agitated? Am I feeling connected? Why is my breath shallow right now? Interesting.
Using the breath not just as an anchor, but a compass. A beacon. A teacher. Where will it guide you? What does it have to tell you?
Take a few minutes to find out and enjoy this guided meditation :)
Share this post