Breathing in is the first thing we do when we’re born, and breathing out is the last thing we do before we die. Everything in between is life. It’s clear that breathing keeps us alive but can also improve our lives.
Usually, we breathe without thinking about it while our minds are busy with memories of the past or plans for the future. This makes it hard to focus on the present moment.
All mistakes, anger, and crimes happen when we’re not aware. When fully present and happy, we can’t commit a crime or even make a mistake.
Focusing on our breath makes us more aware and energetic. We breathe deeply and become healthier. A person who lives entirely in the present is naturally nutritious. Practicing attention to our breath throughout the day, like a bird returning to its nest, helps maintain this awareness.
This practice is also used in many meditation and yoga techniques to calm the mind. Only a calm mind can reach higher states of consciousness.
A new study in the Journal of Neuroscience examines this idea. I just found it:
Breathing through the nose affects the limbic system, which is essential for emotions and may influence our thoughts. In other words, as many have suspected, breathing impacts brain processes. It’s also well known that our thoughts and emotions can affect our breathing.
So, something yoga practitioners have claimed for thousands of years might have scientific support: controlling your breathing can influence your brain and, therefore, your mental state.
There are many methods, and meditation and mindfulness are among the best. I’ll provide some information below. Take a deep breath now. If you take three, it will calm you down more.
Mindfulness is being fully present and aware of where and what we do. Eat slowly and mindfully, and enjoy flowers on a walk or the moon at night. Be mindful of every little thing. Mindfulness meditation can change your brain, which helps with trauma recovery after complex relationships.
Breathwork is a method for clearing energy using your breath. Inhale for three counts, exhale for five counts and hold your breath for three seconds. Repeat this several times, consciously choosing what you want to feel, such as peace of mind.
Simply taking a deep breath when stressed is very helpful. Meditation can accompany this in any form you feel comfortable with. It doesn’t have to be formal; practice breathwork anytime, anywhere.
I’ll explain what is right and wrong with this practice, and then you can decide whether to pursue it.
Right
Usually, we breathe without thinking about it while our minds are busy with memories of the past or plans for the future. This makes it hard to focus on the present moment.
All mistakes, anger, and crimes happen when we’re not aware. When fully present and happy, we can’t commit a crime or even make a mistake.
Focusing on our breath makes us more aware and energetic. We breathe deeply and become healthier. A person who lives entirely in the present is naturally nutritious. Practicing attention to our breath throughout the day, like a bird returning to its nest, helps maintain this awareness.
This practice is also used in many meditation and yoga techniques to calm the mind. Only a calm mind can reach higher states of consciousness.
A new study in the Journal of Neuroscience examines this idea. I just found it:
Breathing through the nose affects the limbic system, which is essential for emotions and may influence our thoughts. In other words, as many have suspected, breathing impacts brain processes. It’s also well known that our thoughts and emotions can affect our breathing.
So, something yoga practitioners have claimed for thousands of years might have scientific support: controlling your breathing can influence your brain and, therefore, your mental state.
There are many methods, and meditation and mindfulness are among the best. I’ll provide some information below. Take a deep breath now. If you take three, it will calm you down more.
Mindfulness is being fully present and aware of where and what we do. Eat slowly and mindfully, and enjoy flowers on a walk or the moon at night. Be mindful of every little thing. Mindfulness meditation can change your brain, which helps with trauma recovery after complex relationships.
Breathwork is a method for clearing energy using your breath. Inhale for three counts, exhale for five counts and hold your breath for three seconds. Repeat this several times, consciously choosing what you want to feel, such as peace of mind.
Simply taking a deep breath when stressed is very helpful. Meditation can accompany this in any form you feel comfortable with. It doesn’t have to be formal; practice breathwork anytime, anywhere.
I’ll explain what is right and wrong with this practice, and then you can decide whether to pursue it.
Right
- It reduces thinking and can give your mind a rest.
- Many practitioners use it, and it has benefits.
- It helps with concentration.
- You’re not focusing solely on the breath; your mind moves between the breath.
- This subtle movement is still thinking, which suppresses other thoughts.
- It might make it hard to progress because you haven’t learned to calm your mind with just your mind.
- It’s a restless kind of meditation, even though it seems peaceful.
- Use the Breath to Guide Rhythm: Focus on the movement of the bead. Be fully aware of the movement’s start, middle, and end.
- Proper Breath Meditation: Accept thoughts focused on the breath. Know the entire in-breath and out-breath. If your attention shifts, return it to the breath immediately.
- Use a Meditation Word: Anchor your mind with a word instead of a bead. This allows you to adjust the pace more easily
Each method has pros and cons, but the key is being mindful. Your job is to follow your breath. If you lose focus, you’re not doing your job. Imagine starting a fire and forgetting to add more fuel; it goes out quickly. Or digging a hole and getting distracted; the hole collapses. Start a job and finish it—that’s being mindful.
If this method works for you, stop using it as breath meditation. Use the breath to guide rhythm and focus on the `movement. Be fully aware of the start, middle, and end. When done right, your mind can fully absorb this.
If you prefer to continue breath meditation, the proper way is to accept that thought is part of it. Focus on the breath entirely. Breathing in, know the entire in-breath. Breathing out, know the whole out-breath. Know the start, middle, and end. If you concentrate like this, it’s impossible to have other thoughts. When thoughts arise, it means mindfulness isn’t fully present. If attention shifts to a feeling or another part of the body, it’s okay. When attention moves ‘outside,’ return it to the breath at once.
Another way is to anchor your mind with a meditation word. This way, you don’t need the bead. Stick with the word as you would with the breath. The advantage is that you can speed up or slow down more quickly than with breath meditation, adjusting to the mind’s pace.
Each method has its benefits and drawbacks. The key is being mindful. You have one job: follow the breath. This is your task while you sit. When you’re not mindful, you’re not doing your job. Imagine starting a fire but forgetting to add fuel; it goes out quickly. Or digging a hole but getting distracted; the hole collapses. Start a job and finish it. That’s being mindful.
Are you seeking a spiritual leader who can teach you to meditate and be mindful? If yes, then you are at the right place. You can contact me by scheduling a session on www.samarpanhealingspa.in or by visiting Samarpan Healing Spa in Vakola, Santa Cruz, Mumbai.
If this method works for you, stop using it as breath meditation. Use the breath to guide rhythm and focus on the `movement. Be fully aware of the start, middle, and end. When done right, your mind can fully absorb this.
If you prefer to continue breath meditation, the proper way is to accept that thought is part of it. Focus on the breath entirely. Breathing in, know the entire in-breath. Breathing out, know the whole out-breath. Know the start, middle, and end. If you concentrate like this, it’s impossible to have other thoughts. When thoughts arise, it means mindfulness isn’t fully present. If attention shifts to a feeling or another part of the body, it’s okay. When attention moves ‘outside,’ return it to the breath at once.
Another way is to anchor your mind with a meditation word. This way, you don’t need the bead. Stick with the word as you would with the breath. The advantage is that you can speed up or slow down more quickly than with breath meditation, adjusting to the mind’s pace.
Each method has its benefits and drawbacks. The key is being mindful. You have one job: follow the breath. This is your task while you sit. When you’re not mindful, you’re not doing your job. Imagine starting a fire but forgetting to add fuel; it goes out quickly. Or digging a hole but getting distracted; the hole collapses. Start a job and finish it. That’s being mindful.
Are you seeking a spiritual leader who can teach you to meditate and be mindful? If yes, then you are at the right place. You can contact me by scheduling a session on www.samarpanhealingspa.in or by visiting Samarpan Healing Spa in Vakola, Santa Cruz, Mumbai.
