My directee and I settled down into our seats and I asked, “What do you feel you need in this time of transitioning into our session?” “Oh, I suppose just to catch my breath”, she replied. I laughed out loud. “What?”, she asked. “That is EXACTLY what my previous directee said, word for word”, I told her. Ah…tis the season. We laughed together and then spent many minutes allowing our breath to open us into whatever would be in the next 50 minutes.
It is an interesting phrase, to “catch our breath”. After all, where could it possibly go? How could it get away from us? And yet the phrase lets us know that it is very, very common for us to lose track of the breath, that part of us that we know intuitively will lead us back to presence, to stillness, to God and to ourselves.
Attending to our breath is one of the most simple spiritual practices and it is also one of the most important (or possibly THE most important) and effective practices that we will every adopt. It can be done any time, any where, in any activity, and in any state of mind. It doesn’t require silence, a candle, music or a yoga mat although all of those things may be helpful. It simply requires us to remember to breathe or watch our breath with intention.
Here is a very simple practice that I encourage even longterm practitioners to try right now.
Close your eyes.
Become aware of your breath. Just watch it go in and out for several cycles.
Now begin to breathe intentionally. Breathe in for a slow count of three. Notice the pause at the top of the inhale. And then breathe out for a slow count of three. Allow the pause at the bottom of the exhale to be a point of rest. Notice that when the breath goes out of your body your shoulders come down, your muscles relax, you settle deeply into your seat or your feet if you are standing.
With every cycle of breath you draw yourself into presence and also give your body and mind a moment of rest. Do this for two or three minutes which may seem like a long time.
When you are finished feel the gratitude in your body and heart. Say a thank you to God and to your amazing body that carries you all day every day.
Take this practice with you to the grocery store, to the post office, into the midst of the busy holiday traffic, in the shower, in your quiet moments at home, or as you settle into your seat for Christmas Eve service. Be present in this beautiful season. Catch your breath and be at peace.
Blessings of the season to all,
Rebecca
