For this month’s topic, we would like to share some thoughts about Meditation & Breath.
Our breath is an essential and vital part of our lives, exists in our awareness, yet often goes unnoticed in our daily routines. We live with this relationship from our first breath to our last, in a constant partnership through the simple process of inhalation and exhalation.
This basic experience of a few short breaths inspired the inclusion of Meditation and breathwork into the conscious realm of our healing practices. It introduces a modern element to raise awareness for visitors to the Sanctuary, sharing that tools are available to support their health and wellbeing.
In meditation, the Breath is the instrument through which we connect to our inner selves. Learning how to breathe in ways that enhance our well-being can be distinct from this.
Both aspects are dealt with below:
Breath In Meditation
Our colleague, author, and healer Feroze Dada, who arrived at the Sanctuary many years ago, teaches meditation and emphasises the power of the breath in meditation practice.
In Anapanna Buddhist meditation, awareness of the breath is emphasised because it is always with us and constant. By focusing on our inhalations and exhalations, we can maintain our connection to the sense of touch as the breath moves in and out of our nostrils. The subtlety here is that the sensation of our breath (the sensation of touch) in our nostrils is the focus of our attention; the breath itself being the instrument that makes it happen. When our focus wavers due to a thought or distraction, we can gently return our awareness to the sensation of our breath.
This discipline of our mind on fine-tuning our awareness and focus is a precursor in Vipassana meditation—an established Buddhist meditation process that trains the mind not to react in a preconditioned manner, thereby keeping us rooted in the present moment. This meditation practice works on the body-mind axis to reduce the preconditioned response, leading to more thoughtful present-moment awareness, often called Mindfulness.
Sufi Meditation (or muraqabah) focuses on breathing into the heart chakra by moving away from mental senses to inner senses. The practice involves stilling the mind and senses to experience the heart’s inner reality.
More about meditation is in Feroze’s books www.ferozedada.com
Breath Work in Wellbeing
Taking a Breath In
Breathing begins when the brain detects that the body requires more oxygen. It sends signals to the diaphragm and the muscles between the ribs to contract. As the diaphragm pulls down, it creates more space in the chest, and the ribs expand. This results in lower pressure inside the chest compared to the outside. Because of this pressure difference, air is pushed into the lungs through the windpipe and bronchial tubes, filling tiny air sacs called alveoli. In the alveoli, oxygen from the air passes into the blood, while carbon dioxide leaves the blood to be exhaled. This gas exchange occurs naturally, as oxygen moves from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.
Breathing Out
Exhaling is the process of releasing air from the lungs. It can be gentle or forceful, depending on the situation. Usually, when you exhale, the diaphragm and rib muscles relax. As they do, the space in the chest decreases, pushing air out through the windpipe. This air is rich in carbon dioxide, which the body needs to expel. During exercise or exertion, exhalation can become more active. The abdominal muscles may help push the air out more forcefully, enabling quicker carbon dioxide removal.
Emotional relationship with the breath
Breath work can significantly enhance your emotional relationship with yourself in multiple ways. First, paying attention to your breath increases awareness of your thoughts and feelings, enabling better understanding without judgment. Deep breathing stimulates relaxation (through the Vagus Nerve), helping to reduce stress and anxiety, making it easier to handle difficult emotions. Furthermore, practising breath work allows you to pause and respond thoughtfully in emotional situations rather than reacting impulsively. Focusing on your breath keeps you anchored in the present moment, reducing worries about the past or future. This practice encourages self-compassion, helping you accept your emotions as a natural part of being human. Regular breathwork can also boost your intuition, guiding you to make choices that align with your true self. Lastly, it can help release negative emotions, creating space for positivity. Incorporating breath work into your daily routine can lead to a kinder, clearer, and more resilient emotional self.
Spiritual Relationship with the Breath
Mindful breathing can greatly support spiritual growth by increasing your presence and grounding you in the moment, enabling a deeper connection with your inner self. This practice raises awareness of your thoughts and emotions, promoting introspection vital for spiritual exploration. By calming the mind and body, mindful breathing fosters a sense of inner peace, resolves emotional blockages, and forms a basis for more profound meditation practices. Furthermore, this technique nurtures compassion and gratitude, which are fundamental in many spiritual paths, ultimately aiding transformative experiences on your spiritual journey.
If you would like to learn about the technical and emotional aspects of breath work, we would suggest the following books:
- “Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” by James Nestor – Nestor explores the history and science of breathing, offering insights into how our modern breathing habits are detrimental to our health and how we can improve them.
- “Breathe” by Dr. Belisa Vranich – This book provides practical breathwork techniques aimed at reducing stress, increasing energy, and improving overall wellness.
- “The Art of Breathing” by Danny Penman – This book combines breath work with mindfulness and meditation practices, offering a comprehensive approach to reducing stress and enhancing mental clarity.
