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The power of breath
For the goal: Live in the flow -- as close to stillness as possible.
Hi guys, thought I would post this tip. It might be useful. I was brought to my own experience of ‘living in the flow’ as a result of many factors, least of all my current experience of managing a debilitating illness and yet living a fulfilled and happy life…I would argue that there are many elements involved, including learning love for and acceptance of self, trust (and importantly self-trust), (self-) compassion and maintaining a healthy mind-body dialogue. Meditation helps – but it doesn’t have to be ritualistic in the sense of spending long periods in silence. Neither, I believe, should it involve any sort of strain. Ideally it is effortless but requires training the mind. As breathing is not something to which we often pay attention, I find it helpful to do the following: I punctuate my day with moments – literally 20 seconds or so – of silence where I concentrate on breathing and thereby re-focus my thoughts. I may even add an intention to experience and express ‘love’, for example. Not only does this practice enable me to re-attune my attention to my body and empty my mind of busy thoughts, it also allows me to notice how and where my energy is flowing: Am I holding my breath? Or am I allowing my energy to flow, naturally and unhindered? You’ll find that if you do this, a couple of times throughout the day, you’ll notice that we all at some time or other tend to create blocks or tensions within the body. If unreleased, these blocks can create physical as well as mental inflexibility…Strange though it may seem, it is through the experience of observing breath that I personally feel most alive as I expand my awareness from myself to the entire universe and reflect on this miracle we call ‘life’.
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shawtylu2 said: Wonderful tip amandagittens! I have Fibromyalgia (aka-the "Monster"), which for me has been life altering, to say the least. I was diagnosed almost 15 years ago, but am only now-"really" learning to live "with" the "Monster". I am new to this site, and some of the ideas. I don't personally subscribe to some of the more progressive, "new age" thinking, though I have become more open minded, receptive to new and helpful ways of dealing with life and adversity. I am currently working with CBT and Biofeedback (specific to HRV-Heartrate Variability), in which the primary focus is placed on "breathing". I have much to learn, but this, by far has helped more with "managing" my condition, than anything else I've tried over a 15 year period! Thank you for your "tip"-which only reinforces the approach I am currently learning and applying. |
