Category: Abundant Breath/Abundant Life

Breathing Peace

The Symptoms of Inner Peace

*A tendency to think and act deliberately, rather than from fears based on past experiences.
*An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
*A loss of interest in judging others.
*A loss of interest in judging self.
*A loss of interest in conflict.
*A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
*A loss of ability to worry.
*Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
*Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
*Frequent attacks of smiling through the heart.
*Increasing susceptibility to kindness offered, and the uncontrollable urge to reciprocate.
*An increasing tendency to allow things to unfold, rather than resisting and manipulating.
Thank you to the author: Saskia Davis at www.symptomsofinnerpeace.net

Also Thank you to: www.onesanctuary.com for inspiration and finding this quote in the first place!

As we come into the holidays we may contemplate how to enjoy them fully without stress or undue expectations placed on ourselves and others.  It is well known that bringing peace to our planet is one of the most important elements in the realignment with vital health and well being that is being called for now in our times.  Yet, it is not political peace that I am speaking of here, for that is an outcome of another kind of peace.  It is the peace within us that when actualized, or at least practiced to the best of our abilities, contributes to the overall peace among nations, countries, communities and individuals.  It is this self-Peace, if you will, that everything else unfolds from.  Breathing peace may include some of the “symptoms” above…and will most definitely release one from the need to make the holidays, or our lives in general, “perfect”, and instead create unforgettable moments that will nurture, inspire,  and sustain collaborative relationships and evolutionary creativity. 

Breathing peace may include creating a “sanctuary” for ones self in the midst of many tasks and seemingly endless obligations.  This sanctuary can be in nature, on the back of a bicycle, feet enclosed in a good pair of walking shoes, a quiet space dedicated to contemplation/reflection within ones own home, in a bathtub filled with aromatic steam arising from a body covered with warm and comforting water, a bowl of homemade soup, a cup of hot chocolate, spiced apple cider or tea, a bookstore or library with comfy chairs to read from, a midnight walk in a star studded sky, a full inhale connected to a full and released exhale for several minutes, or any number of “sanctuaries” that bring peace and balance to the moment.

Here is an additional reference from Gay and Katie Hendricks who created a short online course on the PeaceBreath. Based on 1,000’s of years of instruction on the importance of the simple breath, their intention is to offer this reminder as a tool for conscious change and interconnection on the planet -starting from inside of you.  From the Aramaic translation of Jesus of Nazareth from the Beatitudes these words beckon us to remember: “Blessed are those who find peace through simple breathing, for they shall discover heaven within.”

http://www.consciousone.com/breathing_peace/

The course itself:
http://www.consciousone.com/breathing_peace/course/intro.html

What creates a  sanctuary of peace for you?  Please share it with us!

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:  www.WildlyFreeWoman.com

Energy Medicine

“Energy runs in established patterns or habits.  Left to their own devices in the modern world, your energy systems must rely on patterns out of resonance with the environment.  If you are to thrive, you must participate in the evolution of your body’s energy patterns.”

– Donna Eden, Energy Medicine: Balancing Your Body’s Energies for Optimal Health, Joy, and Vitality.

Our bodies are continually trying to adapt to an environment that they did not choose.  In fact our bodies still have energy software to live in the wilds, yet our daily modern life is anything but that for most of us.  We are blasted daily by electromagnetic radiation, artificial chemicals in our food, and high concentrations of pollutants in our air and water systems.  This means that our immune systems are continually on alert  – or emergency response  – which drains our energy and depletes our vital life force.  In addition, the constant stress of modern life activates the “fight or flight” response of the sympathetic nervous system which puts everything in overdrive and depletion.

This constant activation has costs to it.  There is a chronic request for more and more energy for the immune and fight-or-flight response which then undermines overall health, vitality and a feeling of well being.  The normal pattern of healthy and balanced energy systems become chaotic and reversed.  We feel drained, our breathing is shallow, and we are open to mental and physical illness and disease taking over.

It is time for harmonizing with the forces of nature and a return to practices that are natural, friendly, and familiar to body, mind and soul.  As we evolve by returning to balance within the natural energy systems of our own bodies, we communicate that to everyone  and everything we touch. 

The deep interconnection between matter, spirit, and subtle energy informs not only our health and well being, but that of the planet we inhabit.  These subtle energy systems operate outside of the mind and are perhaps THE mastermind, if you will, behind the evolving universe.  Everything is energy!

For a 5-minute daily practice that will keep your energy systems healthy and flowing (and your breathing alive and full) I invite you to explore these practices taught by Donna Eden.  For more information on her and her husband, David Feinstein, Ph.D. please go to:

http://www.innersource.net

The Daily Energy Routine with Donna Eden

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:  www.WildlyFreeWoman.com

The Deepened Breath of Gratitude and Kindness

In celebration of World Kindness Day I dedicate this post to the breathing space of gratitude which is intimately linked with acts of kindness.  It is the experience of most that when one is in a place of gratitude that everything “lightens up”.  This relaxed and grateful place of “wealth” stimulates our breath to deepen and our natural innate expressions, love, and creativity to come out and play.  It is here within this breathing space of gratitude that we remember why we are here.  It is here in this breathing space that we are innately inclined to practice acts of kindness.

My day yesterday reflected this in every moment from first awakening to my last eyes wide open moment.  The aromatic scent of cardamon and cinnamon awakened my taste buds in the cup of green tea chai that I was sipping while writing within the light of a candle lit to celebrate the unfolding of the days possibilities.

Aligning a place within us in gratitude before we start each day, and at night before we go to bed,  naturally evolves into acts of kindness whether you are doing them, receiving them, or giving them to yourself.  It was my intention to come from this place in every moment of my day no matter what was happening.

Everywhere I went I remembered to smile and make eye contact being grateful for the connections that were essential to the tasks before me.  Entire conversations lasting only moments had significance because we touched each other in a personal way.  Everything felt easeful, even when waiting in traffic or in line.

When I found a long line at the post office I was grateful that I had a way to send the payments, personal correspondence,  and donations that I held in my hand.  Out of this place I relaxed… and out of this place the man in front of me had me go ahead of him because he stated “I am going to take a long time”.  This man had lost teeth, was a little unkept, and could possibly have been homeless, but he practiced an act of kindness.  I made certain to give a light touch on his shoulder when I left and thanked him again for his kindness.

Walking out of the athletic club that I belong to after a satisfying weight training session (acts of kindness to oneself!), I gasped in appreciation as I saw the sky filled with feather like clouds.  The man who was limping out with me heard my gasp, looked up and said “it is like God’s paintbrush!”.  We both smiled and felt blessed to be able to witness the beauty…and to share it with each other.

Even looking at the money that had been deposited in my bank account that day I realized that there was more than enough to share in acts of kindness to Women for Women International (sponsor a woman for $27/month!), Nature Conservancy and to become part of the solution of tolerance in our world at Southern Poverty Law Center.  The feeling of wealth that I had within me must have radiated out because it was at the post office where I was mailing these donations that I was ushered to “please go ahead”.

It is moments like these that add depth and fulfillment to our lives and remind us that everyone is “doing the best they can with what they have”.  These acts of kindness come when we open our hearts, come out of hiding, and look into the eyes of God standing right in front of us.  They are spontaneous most often, although sometimes planned,  and leave us breathing more deeply and embracing life.

As Maya Angelou said so eloquently:  “People will forget what you said.  People will forget what you did.  People will never forget how you made them feel.”

I am in appreciation to Sherryl Frauenglass of A Woman’s True Voice (FB) and Robin Rice of Awesome Women Hub for the video below by Humanity Healing Network.

Random Acts of Kindness with music by Enya

 

Other Blogs by Gaye Abbott:  www.WildlyFreeWoman.com

Breath of Joy!

What if the breath was a pathway to choose joy?  There is a very old Chinese saying that says, “One who half breathes, half lives.”   When you are feeling fatigue, lethargy, slight depression, or inability to focus have you ever just done a Breath Check?  You may find that your breathing has some restrictions. The good news is that you can chose to change that in any moment!

Shallow, upper chest, or restricted breathing represents so many things.  It is a pattern in alignment with restriction, limitation, and shutting down on life – YOUR LIFE!

Have you ever held your nose and tried to taste something?  Or maybe you did that when you were young and your parents wanted you to eat something that you didn’t want to eat…so you held your nose and ate it….because you couldn’t taste it right?!

Shutting down on the breath shuts down more than just the breath.  It obviously impacts your health and aliveness, but it also shuts down your joy and pleasure of living,  being in the moment, your creativity, and your ability to “taste life”.

Here is a simple video that gives you a tool to shift what I call “low life breathing” into “breathing in creative joy”.  Use it often!

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE:  www.WildlyFreeWoman.com

BREATHING SPACES – Within and Without

“Breathing is one of the simplest things in the world.  We breathe in, we breathe out.  When we breathe with real freedom, we neither grasp for or hold on to the breath.  No effort is required to pull the breath in or to push the breath out.  Given the simplicity of breathing one would think it was the easiest thing to do in the world.  However, if it were truly so easy there would be few unhappy or unhealthy people in the world.  To become a welcome vessel for the breath is to live life without trying to control, grasp, or push away.  And how easy is this?  The process of breathing is the most accurate metaphor we have for the way that we personally approach life, how we live our lives, and how we react to the inevitable changes that life brings us.”

–   Donna Farhi, The Breathing Book, pg 5

Did you know that from birth at the first breath, you take approximately 7,000 breaths each day which over a lifetime totals about 500 million breaths.  In your final moments you exhale for the last time and the breath defines that moment.  What will we do with these approximately 500 million opportunities in a lifetime to live our life fully?

There is a wise Chinese proverb that states, “Life is in the breath.  One who half breathes, half lives.”

We all are breathing in some fashion, even when we are not aware of our breath, but the normal patterns of breathing are usually shallow, restricted and contain many holding patterns.  These reflect deep imbalances in our systems.  When our breathing patterns are weak, we may have low energy and find ourselves easily fatigued and more emotionally stressed.  When our breathing patterns are deep and strong, we have increased endurance, stamina, and a sense of well being.

Sometimes we can have difficulty with our breathing because of physiological processes that we have set in motion by the way we have treated our bodies over the years, or we can have emotional holding patterns that literally have us “stop breathing” or “hold our breath”.  Sometimes it is both of these things intimately connected that contribute to our not breathing – not living – as fully as we are meant to.

Last week I came in contact with a woman who has been a smoker in her life.  She arrived at our clinic with a fairly severe upper respiratory challenge.  There is a special machine called an oximeter that measures the amount of oxygen traveling throughout the system in any given moment.  Normally people will record between 97-100%.  This woman was at 84% – way below the accepted level for a healthy system.  Her acute symptoms were addressed at this visit, yet there was an underlying process that was going on within her.

She was terrified that she might die the same way her adult son had just a year before from the new strain of flu going around – in his case causing bronchial pneumonia.  She was still in grief around that death.  At her next visit this week she remained with low oxygen saturation levels and even after a test walk to get her coughing to bring this level back up, as had happened last week,  her levels did not come back up.  Instructed to put oxygen on her, I was readying the mask and tank with my back to her – and then I turned around.  The fear that was in her face and body hit me strongly from across the room.

Putting the mask down I walked over to her, put my hands on her shoulders, looked in her eyes and said to her  “relax into your breath”.  In that moment of contact and connection I saw the fear lessen and she started relaxing her entire body while thinking the thoughts that she could breathe freely and easily.  Being still connected to the oximetry machine we watched as her 02 levels steadily climbed to 92% – an acceptable level to allow her to leave the office without oxygen according to protocol.  We talked about “biofeedback” and the power each of us has to shift our biological processes by our direct attention and focus.  For her it was enough to shift out of the pattern and is a powerful beginning to her opening to her life force if she so chooses.

Yes, this woman has diminished her lung capacity by her history of smoking and may even have emphysema.  But, she also has a very strong emotional response to her breathing challenges and in fact said to me that the stresses in her life had her “not breathing”, or in some instances “not wanting to breathe”.  What a gift for her to know that if she choses to live fully that she has the power to change her patterns of breathing by relaxing into her breath – into her life – and finding more ease where before there was none or very little.  This may be an on going challenge for her, but I believe in the power of the human body to regenerate, rebuild, and redirect into the harmony of balanced health that is the human bodies built in blueprint and directive.

As Donna Farhi says in the quote above – take a look at how we approach and live our lives, and how we react to the inevitable changes that life brings.

Watch your breath…. it is a wise teacher.

Become a container that welcomes the breath……

Gaye Abbott, RYT