Stop Breath and Listen

Stop Breath and Listen

It is customary to focus on the breath in yoga, training the mind to quiet the daily chaos and focus on the internal breath that sustains life. Not only does it calm the senses but also focuses the mind and opens our heart to messages of Divine Wisdom and Understanding.

Wide awake or sleeping we don’t think about breathing it happens automatically. Each day we breathe about 20,000 times.

When we practice mindfulness with each breath we become aware of the common link in all humanity. Without breath we cannot live.When we stop to focus on the breath we can quiet the busy thoughts in our minds that cause anxiety, worry, fear and hate. Until we quiet “self” we cannot hear “Divine”.

Job 32:8“But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding”.

John 15:5 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Another common part of a yoga practice is the Tree Pose. I find it fascinating that within the human respiratory system the bronchial tree is significant to the breathing process. The Bronchi themselves branch many times into smaller airways. The airways resemble an upside down tree.

Much like the bible verse states the branches of the bronchial tree cannot survive without the "trachea vine", and without breath we would not have life.

Although our minds may continue trying to make us focus on human differences if we choose to stop the thoughts, concentrate on the breath and listen to the Spirit within us, our thoughts can turn from negative “selfish thoughts” to positive “Divine inspiration”.

With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love,

Carmela