Mindfulness of the Breath

 

If the only constant in life is change, what remains the same?

Breathing is as old as time. Making the breath a simple and powerful anchor, a place we can come home to no matter what and no matter where.

We live in a world where it is normal to look for or be drawn to, What is Newer. Bigger. Better.

At the same time...What endures? What is timeless? What can I count on in the midst of continually adapting to the changes within and around me?

The breath.

Allowing ourselves to simply breathe and Be is a powerful way to balance everything we Do.

Underneath all the doing and the looking out, reaching out, there is something deeper. Ineffable. Timeless. Eternal. And, I feel this when I pause, look within and connect with my breath. I feel like I am connecting with the whole of humanity and all living beings everywhere, from the beginning of time, to this moment in time.

The breath also reminds me of impermanence. Every breath happens once. Has it´s own texture, rhythm, depth. And then it is gone. Just like this moment will soon become part of the past and this day will become a memory. This life is precious and temporary.

Mindfulness of the breath can remind us to bring a nonjudgemental awareness and compassion to what is happening in our bodies and minds opening us to a sense of groundedness, centeredness, hereness.

We can take the time to notice where the sensation of breath is prominant within the body. Whether the breath is felt in the nostrils, throat, chest, belly or the whole body breathing. We can rest our attention here. One breath at a time.

This wakefulness has the power to remind us to slow down our thoughts. To choose our thoughts wisely. Choose our words wisely. Our actions wisely.

As we connect with our Being, our Doing becomes more powerful, sustainable, our overall effect, perhaps even more attainable.

In a world where everything is constantly changing, Mindfulness of the breath never gets old. No matter what, no matter where...I can always come home to the breath.

"Breathe and understand that you are alive.

Breathe and understand that everything is helping you.

Breathe and understand that you are the world.

Breathe in compassion and breathe out joy.

Breathe and be one with the air you breathe.

Breathe and be one with the flowing river.

Breathe and be one with the land you walk on,

Breathe and be one with the fire that shines.

Breathe and discard the idea of birth and death.

Breathe and you will see that impermanence is life.

Breathe for your joy of being stable and serene.

Breathe so your pain flows.

Breathe to renew all the cells of the blood.

Breathe to renew the depths of consciousness.

Breathe and live in the here and now.

Breathe and everything you touch will be new and real."

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Link to previous post, Mindfulness of the Body:

https://tehroma.blogspot.com/2022/02/mindfulness-of-body.html