What if you could be in the presence of Holiness all the time? 

Doreen explores the relationship between breath, spirit and wellness with a 10 minute meditation practice to help you bring awareness to the Holy Spirit operating in you like life-giving breath.

Before you begin, gather a pen and paper. Find a quiet place to sit for 10-15 minutes. Settle into a comfortable seat with your head, neck and trunk lined up - perhaps support your back against a wall or back of chair with a towel behind your waist so you can stay upright. Then begin this audio. Enjoy!

Transcript:

What if God were as close as your next breath?  What if awareness of your breath was being with God in Holy connection? Now, consider the words ‘inhale’ and ‘exhale’. “Hale” comes from the same root as hearty, health, wholeness.  Wholeness and spirit and breath are deeply intertwined. Breath and spirit can be a metaphor of and an analogy for the Holy Spirit who gives us life. 

Scripture

In Genesis 2:7 we hear:  Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being. In John 20:22 we hear:  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Preparation

Slowly roll your chin down to your chest, then roll right ear toward right shoulder, chin to chest, left ear toward left shoulder.  Repeat 3-5 times slowly, staying in the front half circle, (not rolling your head back because it could cause trouble). Then return your head to neutral. Shrug your shoulders up and down a few times. Circle the shoulders.

Settle in

Breathing female spirit.jpg

Now, place your hands gently on your belly and chest and rest them there. (At any time if they become uncomfortable, switch hands or place them in your lap.)

Notice your breathing and begin to gradually deepen and steady your breath. Begin to establish diaphragmatic breathing; breathe through your nose (if able), Breathe comfortably deep, steadily, evenly in length in and out and quietly.

Sense the inhale and exhale.  Sense the balance of in and out, in and out.  Cleansing and nourishment, like two parts of a whole.  Both necessary for being in Life.  Now, sense the in-hale as in-spire and the ex-hale as ex-spire -- ‘spire referring to spirit’ in both aspects of breath. Each inhale is infused with spirit, health, nourishment each exhale is also infused with spirit to cleanse & release tension.

The taking in and letting go, releasing what is no longer necessary; make room for more life.

Watch the breath a while…. sense the Holy Spirit moving in you.

BREATH Poem by Dana Faulds, Go In and In, Poems from the Heart of Yoga

BREATH Poem by Dana Faulds, Go In and In, Poems from the Heart of Yoga

Inquiry

How does it feel? Is there texture?  Moisture? Coolness or warmth? Is it comforting?  (Or not – that is useful to know too.) Is there any restriction in your breath pattern? 

Allow yourself to explore your relationship with both physical breath and the subtle energy that rides in the breath. Can you sense the holiness even if you cannot see it? ... like wind – you can’t see it but you can feel the effects.

What is it telling you?

Begin to wonder about a situation in your life that might have some questions around it.  Without getting too wrapped up in thinking about it……Just place it in your awareness and allow the Holy Spirit to breathe with you and it…. Do this for 5-10 breaths.  Then release the situation and return to just watching the breath.  Kabir, a Middle Eastern mystical poet said:  “Student, tell me, what is God? God is the breath inside the breath.”

Coming back outward

Sense yourself sitting quietly, feel your feet.  Wiggle your hands; take a deeper breath. Cup your palms over your eyes and blink a few times to come back outward slowly.

Reflection

Then spend a few minutes writing about or identifying any feelings you experience when relating to your breath as the en-spirited flow of God's life-giving love both to you and through you.

Credits: Breath by Kabir, translated into English by Robert Bly, Pictures: Bing images


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doreen Corwith Eckert

Doreen Corwith Eckert has spent her life seeking the Divine and aiding others along the same path. Her formal education includes degrees in Communications (Penn State), Environmental Education (Lesley College), Classic Raja Yoga (Himalayan Institute), and most recently, Yoga Therapy (Spanda Yoga Movement Therapy). Informally, she has learned much from being in nature & chapels, listening in Silence, travel, books, and laughing with friends.

For nearly 30 years she has been passionate about studying and teaching yoga philosophy and meditation, and much of that time in exploring the crossroads of yoga and Christ. She is also a Reiki Energy Practitioner and writer. Currently with CPY, she is the Executive Editor of the blog and Vice President. She and her husband recently moved to 40-acres near the Himalayan Institute in northeastern Pennsylvania where they wander with the dogs along stone walls and woods.

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Namaste & Imago Dei— Made in the Image of God

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The Practice of God's Presence Within