Point of Stillness

The pause at the end of each exhalation is a powerful, magical, valuable moment. Although the pause may last only a second or two, it provides a moment of beautiful quiet for your mind, your body and your spirit. You can take advantage of this special pause but resist any temptation to extend any pause beyond its natural length. To override this timing is like grabbing a soap bubble so it can’t float away.

Experiment by selecting in advance a positive word that you repeat silently to yourself during the pause. Or focus on a healing image. This is also an amazing time to simply listen and be open.

This brief moment brings you to your deepest self. That is why the temptation is so great to extend it. Although Point of Stillness is a delicate and simple exercise it is surprisingly effective.

Be well. Breathe beautifully.

Cherish Silence

If you never insist on quiet time alone, if you allow your senses to be constantly bombarded, if you mindlessly parrot the thoughts and actions and styles of others, if you become addicted to the crashing din of daily life, you will never discover the person you are or what you need or what you have to give. You will swirl around in a cultural backwash without the ability to chart your own course . . . . ever. Technology is an amazing gift but let it be your slave and not your master.

You are an original unique creation and not simply a faded copy of others. The more time you devote to exploring the music of your breathing, the more time you meditate, the more quiet time you schedule, the greater your awareness will be of who you are. Don’t live as a stranger to yourself.

Schedule time each week without talking, without listening to radio or watching television. Yup. No IPod. Your inner spirit will never raise its voice. If you are very very quiet, you may learn to listen. As Baba Ram Dass said, “The quieter you become, the more you hear.”

Be well. Breathe beautifully.

Breathing and Creativity

Every child is born an artist. You are an artist. When children are too young and inexperienced to question, they get the message that creativity is some mysterious gift, granted only to a chosen few and certainly not to them! Certainly not to you.

So you probably were ashamed and put away your crayons and never tried again. I will throw up if you say one word about “drawing a straight line.”

Creativity is simply the expression, the language of your unconscious mind, your best and timeless self. Your creative efforts provide insight into your spirit and give you the chance to share that insight. Critical praise and profit are completely separate issues! Praise and profit (or lack of it) should never be permitted to obstruct your imagination and creativity.

When you are next tempted or inspired to sing or dance or paint or write or draw or blow glass or weave blankets or decorate cakes, BREATHE YOUR WAY THROUGH IT. CONSTANTLY AND EVENLY AND DEEPLY AND STEADILY AND QUIETLY – ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT. You have nothing to lose and lots to gain.

Your PROJECT is not nearly as important as your PROCESS. That’s the fun. That’s the joy. Someone old and wise said, “The light is within you. Let the light shine.”

Be well. Breathe beautifully.

Accessing Emotions

Because your breathing is an essential part of your mind, your body and your spirit, it is no surprise that your emotions are mirrored in your breathing. A sad breath is different from an angry breath is different from a frightened breath is different from a weary breath. Very different.

Since your breathing threads through all aspects of your being, it is therefore possible to shape the way you are feeling by adjusting the way you are breathing.

If you need to dissipate your anger quickly or at least hide it, then stop breathing like an angry person. Notice that when you are depressed or tired or sad you may take small infrequent breaths in the center of the chest. Sometimes you will sigh because you are getting low on oxygen. You may hold your breath when you are frightened and breathe quickly and erratically when you are angry.

Good basic breathing that is low, slow, steady and wide will serve you well regardless of your emotional temperature at the moment. Breathing deeply and slowly will help center you in just a few breaths.

Be well. Breathe beautifully.

Kiss Shy Goodbye. Well, Almost.

Someone said that shyness is the result of focusing too much attention on oneself. The trick is to break the old cycle of nervous anticipation and response. Remember that your breathing is your guardian angel and is ALWAYS there for you.

IN ADVANCE OF SHY-TIME, DROP YOUR BREATHING INTO YOUR LOWER LUNGS AND SLOW IT DOWN.

Decide ahead of time that you will hold onto that breathing speed and placement NO MATTER WHAT. Nothing to lose here! You can always return to palm sweating pulse-pounding misery if the breathing focus doesn’t work. No matter how awkward things may get, never once lose your focus on your breathing.

You (yes, you) have the capability of bringing light, laughter, joy and serenity to any space or any group. You may be shy because somewhere, sometime a long time ago, someone accidentally or intentionally convinced you otherwise. Perhaps the focus could shift to what positive energy you can BRING to a space, what joy can you BRING to a group.

Imagine that you are an artist and that you will focus on “artist” things like how many red ties are there in the room, who has the nicest smile, who has the saddest face. Or imagine that you are a reporter and that you need to come away with at least one good story. Of course, don’t TELL people you are an artist (unless you actually are).

Be well. Breathe beautifully.