Reasons to Breathe: January 22 - 28

The key way I learned to meditate is by paying attention to the breath. I do this for many reasons:

• On a physiological level, a slow, steady breath calms the nervous system.

• On a conscious level, the breath anchors me in the present moment when my mind tends to ruminate on the past or worry about the future.

• On a physical level, the breath is where my outer world and inner world meet.

• On a planetary level, the breath connects me with every being that has ever lived in the past, is alive now, or will live in the future. We all share the same finite supply of oxygen that fills the atmosphere.

• On an existential level, life is measured from the first breath until the last and all the breaths in between are where I live and love and experience joy.

• On a spiritual level, every breath is a gift from the Source of life and the sign that I am loved.

Practice

Take a few moments to arrive in the body. Use the breath as the path to awareness. Experience several cycles of the breath, conscious of the life within.

Expand the awareness to fill the space around you. Sense your connection to the outer world as you breathe with nature and all beings everywhere.

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You are more than the breath. You are more than the body. You are more than your identity and your relationships. Breathe in and out. Sense the mystery of who you are.