On this day, in celebration of the role of motherhood bestowed upon many of us, I took a walk out into nature. Reflecting on the richness of having given birth to 3 unique and amazing sons and having been given birth to by my own mother into this lifetime, I walked softly down the country road listening to, feeling into, and seeing the natural order of things all around me with immense appreciation and gratitude.
The sound of wind, vast clouds with spaces of blue sky and sun peaking through, rivers flowing strongly from the abundance of rain, Spring flowers doting the grasslands, trees magnificent in their leafing out, bird song abounding, baby lambs all nestled together – all of the elements collaborating to bring balance, wealth and meaning to our lives.
This is our breathing space – the space of the largest and most important mother we shall ever know. Because of her we BREATHE. Because of the intricate interconnection of all life here on this planet we exist at all.
Let today be a celebration of all that is “mother” to each and every one of us – human, all species, nature, and cosmos. The mystery of it all would astound us even more if we knew exactly how everything dances together on our behalf.
We are indeed the ones we have been waiting for. It is in our hands, minds, hearts and souls to protect and bring back into balance that which gives us life….the most important Breathing Space of all – Mother Earth.
After my neighbors dog took me for a brisk walk along my country road this morning I was acutely aware of how intimately we are connected with all that breathes and is alive. This weekend we have a unique opportunity to breathe with people all over the globe in synchronicity. As ElevateUsstates, “The tides are turning, in all walks of life and all corners of the planet. Humanity is stepping out of the shadows of ‘what has been’ by calling into question the very fundamentals – how we live, what we serve, who we are.”
Each of us can choose to be a part of this. When you harmonize with others in a flow of breathing it unites us in a way that is beyond the mind, and connects on levels of the heart and beyond. Breathing together can powerfully unite us and is an intimate way to deepen the awareness of the interconnection that is always there. We all share the Earth’s gift of breath.
Let us join with the Dalai Lama this weekend, and with each other every day this year, to elevate the practices of love, compassion, abundance, and joy throughout the world. The Universal Breathing Room at Do As One has partnered with the Dalai Lama who has called forth 10,000 monks to help initiate the teachings of the Buddha Maitreya. This is the first time in history that a Dalai Lama has conducted this blessing, intended to elevate love and compassion for all people. Breathe with them at this link: http://www.elevate.us
Take this practice and come to the Universal Breathing Room frequently to simply breathe in flow with others worldwide on a daily basis. There is a global map where you can see where people in other locations are also joining in, and 3 other “rooms” you can go to – the Full Spectrum Breathing Room, where you can harmonize with the chakra colors as you breathe; a Universal Laughter room; and a Universal Om Room.
Take 5 minutes a day to join in and check in with the energy, feelings, and insights that catch your awareness! Take a Deep Breath NOW!
Ram Dass says “Our whole spiritual transformation brings us to where we realize that in our own being we are enough”.
“I am enough, there is enough, you are enough” – a mantra spoken by a friend of mine on a daily basis has shifted her life and her perception of “enough”. Perhaps when we fully embody this fullness within ourselves, everything else shifts a tiny fraction allowing us to see and feel life in an entirely different framework – exploding our narrow perceptions and beliefs, and expanding our ability to give to others and ourselves from a place of creative awareness, open heart, and deeply aligned self acceptance.
From this place of enough comes the act of generosity. This act comes not from a place of “have to” , “duty”, or “obligation”, but a place of wholeness within – a place of fullness where generosity comes naturally as an outward expression of who we all are.
As each of us move through the holiday season, perhaps feeling obligation to give – remember to check in within yourself to feel what is natural and what way of giving enhances the breath and aliveness of another – and in turn to yourself and the planet upon which we live.
Breathing and living from this place gives us opportunity to live fully knowing and experiencing that there is enough. This can come in the form of simple eye contact, a hug, or as in the video below an awareness that we all share the same humanity.
There was an opportunity the other day in the medical clinic I work at to fully embrace a patient as I called him back to the exam room. This older man was outwardly a little rough in appearance and smelled strongly of the tobacco that he used regularly. As he came towards me and moved into an embrace that he initiated, I fully gave myself to the experience allowing myself to accept and let go of the slight reluctance I had to get “that close”. As we pulled back from each other I found myself smiling broadly at him. The eyes of this Native American man held the love that he wanted to give…and that which he yearned to receive.
This simple act of generosity in connecting with another in whatever form that you feel naturally arising within you is the real gift that we can give each other. We may not ever know exactly the impact that it has had….but we do know how we feel when in the act – ENOUGH!
You ain’t livin til you givin!
“He who allows his day to pass by without practicing generosity and enjoying life’s pleasures is like a blacksmith’s bellows. He breathes, but does not live.” ~ Proverbs
For many, many years now Thich Nhat Hanh as been a guide for me…suggesting a path back to the deepest parts of myself that know no struggle, and are free to co-create a life of joy and alignment with thriving. I am still practicing this gentle form of mindful awareness. This week I bring to you a beautiful song by Phap Niem and Gary Remal on Thich Nhat Hanh’s – The End of Suffering.
Bring yourself into a quiet and comfortable space as you listen to the song and observe the stream before you…. a breathing space that brought these words to the surface for me:
Observe the water flowing around the barriers that may attempt to obstruct its path…freedom of movement, of life, of breath…suffering no more…letting go of all but the moment of the next inhale…the next exhale…be present to the opening of breath and creative force that brings life to everything around you and within you….breathe love…breathe compassion…breathe joy…breathe release from any struggle that comes into your mind…let go…
Next post look for a breathing meditation and movements, also by Thich Nhat Hanh. His compassionate and loving Presence has moved millions. He is You….
There are so many ways that we can consider the breath as sacred. The fact that all living things breathe in some manner – perhaps not with lungs – creates a very intricate network of interconnection. Our last post quoting Richard Cawtereminds us that this sacred breath is shared, and connects all in an intimate embrace…one which we receive with every inhale and exhale. As we breathe more fully we enliven every living thing. We are meant to thrive and to create.
Indigenous people globally accept the sacredness of the breath and the interconnection with the natural world. Some traditions, such as yoga, tai chi, and qi gong have studied it for 1,000’s of years, and in fact have created a science of breath. In the Native American Medicine tradition “Divine Breath” is a noun. It means the manifestation of the divine spirit in all living beings. It is also called “life breath”. The name given it is “ni” or “nilch’i”. As you listen to this short piece of Native American flute music by Darrel Whitewolf give yourself some moments to feel the sacred breath of the wind moving over the Earth and inside of you.
“We touch the sacred with each breath. With each breath we just keep dipping into the sacred… Breath is the vehicle to return to God (the Sacred). This is the ground of all being. Breath is the vehicle that takes us beyond thought, form, and into direct experience. The breath takes us beyond words, beyond our ideas, into our deepest truest nature.”
Frank Ostaseski, Founder of Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco and Metta Institute
Our life outside of the protection of the womb is defined by the breath. When we first enter the outside world our lungs fill with breath and is most often expressed with the sound – sometimes very loudly – of our voice. When we leave this life the last thing that is heard is our final breath. How could something that is with us our entire lives not be the sacred ground of all being. Our lives are defined by each inhale and each exhale….the pauses being the opportunity for rest and stillness – to feel the sacred ground of our being. Beginning our day with the intention on deeply breathing, even for a few moments…and ending our day with the same attention to the breath…reminds us of who we are.
“ When you breathe deeply and fully, you are breathing the breath that feeds the Soul. This energy is part of the spiritual force of the universal energy, and it enters your body with every breath. The breath contains the vital energy of who you are.”
On this day, in celebration of the role of motherhood bestowed upon many of us, I took a walk out into nature. Reflecting on the richness of having given birth to 3 unique and amazing sons and having been given birth to by my own mother into this lifetime, I walked softly down the country road listening to, feeling into, and seeing the natural order of things all around me with immense appreciation and gratitude.
BREATHING SPACES 