top of page
Blog: Blog2
Search

BREATHING MINDFULLY, WHY SO IMPORTANT?

Writer's picture: Deniel Deniel

Updated: Jan 21, 2020


Every breath we take confirms our moment-to-moment relationship with the world. The ongoing rhythm of inhalation and exhalation gives us the nourishment we need to live and eliminates the waste that would suffocate us if we could not let it go.

With every in-breath, we draw in oxygen that the heart pumps through the lungs to fuel the life process in the cells of the body. With every out-breath, the cells` waste is pumped out in the form of carbon dioxide and release back into the air. This cycle of nourishment and elimination goes on throughout our life whether or not we are mindful of it.

There is something quite extraordinary about this whole process of organic life interacting moment by moment with the environment. Moreover, no two breaths are the same. Sometimes, we draw in a longer breath due to physical exertion, physical pain, intention or emotional upheaval.

Breathing deeply, whether through exercise or intention, is important for the body, since full breaths nourish the cells more completely.

People who do not engage regularly in activities that encourage deep breathing risk negative consequences to their physical health. All cells need enlivening regularly through deep breathing, whether the body is moving or still.

At other times, we draw in only a little air, because of fear, habit or meditative calmness. Practitioners of meditation know that when we are in a state of inner serenity and stillness the body seems to need little air to circulate through the cells, yet the vibrations of the whole body can be experienced.

When we sit with a straight back in an upright posture, every part of the body can relax and expand, rather than being tense and under pressure. Through the body requires little air, the oxygen we do inhale circulates freely.

When we sit calmly and bring mindfulness to the breath, we flood the body with life energy from head to toe. Sometimes, we seem to experience the whole body breathing, even when inhaling only little air.

Mindfulness of breathing is a wonderful resource. Setting aside even a few minutes every day to breathe with awareness can contribute so much to our emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.

Specifically, mindfulness of breathing helps us to achieve:


- Calmness and concentration

- The feeling of being centered

- Harmony of body and mind

- The ability to stay steady in stressful or threatening situations

- Deep joy and inner contentment

- The capacity to clear the mind of excessive thinking

- A deep sense of intimacy and connection with organic life

- An experience of inner freedom in the midst of unfolding events


 

EXERCISE: BREATHING MINDFULLY

1- When the mind feels troubled, breathe in and breathe out deeply. You can do this breathing practice everywhere. Pay particular attention to, and relax into, the out-breath.

2- Make the breath a little longer and deeper than usual for the first two or three minutes so that you can experience the expansion of your body as the oxygen enters and the settling down as your body expels the carbon dioxide. Try to experience as many breaths as possible during this period. Remember that the mind most easily wanders on the out-breath. Your eyes can be open or closed.

3- If you feel yourself holding back unnecessarily from a situation, then take a few breaths to breathe through any fear and then act.

4- If somebody is saying unkind words to you, mindfully breathe in and out rather than react. Do not give others authority over your state of mind.

5- The next time you are seated for 15 or 20 minutes, rather than reading a newspaper or watching television, give the time to mindfulness of breathing.



14 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Kommentare


bottom of page