Whatshot
The breath is our link to life!
The breath is our link to life!
Breath is the key to dozens of the most important doors in our lives - from stress mastery and childbirth to healing and enlightenment. Take a deep breath. Notice that it is easy, notice that it costs nothing - the breath is FREE.
Think of it. The breath, an inhalation is the first thing you do in this life. And the breath, an exhalation, is the last thing you do in this life. From moment to moment the breath sustains us. And in an ultimate sense our life is what happens between our first inhalation and our last exhalation.
Some people say, "I am already breathing, it's how I stay alive."
Obviously, this is true. Through the breath we sustain life. But here is the big question: Are you satisfied just to be alive, or do you want supreme vitality? Are you satisfied to be at the level of survival or do you want peak performance? Are you satisfied to operate at the level of usual consciousness, or do you aspire for enlightenment?
If you say "yes!" to stress mastery, healing, peace of mind and enlightenment, then this will be a powertool for you. When you evolve your relationship with the breath to a more conscious level a wide range of special abilities are cultivated: vitality, healing, peak performance in business, athletics and sexuality and even spiritual enlightenment.
The Chinese believe that energy and breath are one thing known as Qi, that is responsible for everything from healing and longevity to spiritual immortality. Taiji and Qigong are based in the regulation of the breath along with body control and mind focus. In India the Yogis believe that breath focus is a key to boundless energy known as Prana. Prana cultivation leads to clear mindedness and spiritual enlightenment.
Science has demonstrated that careful modification of the breath has a positive effect on brain function, immune potential, pain tolerance and the body's natural mechanism of self-repair and healing.
So, both ancient and modern sources confirm that the breath is the key to a large array of personal benefits.
The breath is so simple that we have found it difficult to believe that it could have such incredible power. So, take a deep breath, inhale slowly in through the nose. And then exhale slowly out through the nose. Notice that it takes about ten seconds. Notice that little effort is required.
Let's break this simple breath into its component parts; it will astound you to realize how much is going on.
Think about it, you never take a deep breath automatically. Only little babies who have absolutely no cares spontaneously breathe deeply, using the diaphragm - the dome shaped muscle at the base of the ribs. In stress mastery, childbirth, healing, chanting and meditation - all acts of purposeful and conscious self-control - the practice is initiated by the breath. And the breath is initiated when the individual elects to, decides to deepen the breath. Before the first breath is taken, this act of conscious awareness must occur.
The breath is a golden key to personal transformation. Notice, your breath is never not there. From now until the conclusion of this life, you can use it anytime, for no cost to open the door to your own more empowered self.