Breath and Spirit: the beautiful concept of “inspiriting”
Mindfulness Talk:
On the trail, it is through breath that we begin to feel alive. Long, slow breaths filled with the scent of pine or wildflower or soil after a fresh rain. On the yoga mat, it is through breath that we begin to tune out the world and tune into ourselves. We place our mind on the feel of breath in our body and other thoughts fade into the distance.
This weekend, I read a Fr. Richard Rohr article that opened up yet another way to use breath: as a spiritual tool. With every inhalation we are taking in the spirit that surrounds us all. And with every exhalation we are giving a bit of ourselves back to that surrounding spirit. He calls it the process of “inspiriting”. What a beautiful thought! With each breath we are inspirited - we are joined - with the surrounding spirit.
Each of us exist both in the physical world and the spiritual world and through breath, we unite. We are a part of something. You are not alone.
Until next time,
Laura
Meditation:
Finding Present Meditation: Find an object or an image in your mind that reminds you of the World Spirit. Perhaps this is a religious object. Or maybe do an internet search for “artwork spiritual” (which brings up a beautiful collection of many different cultures ideas of spirit).
Look at this object or image, and breathe. Inhale the spirit that surrounds us all. Exhale giving a bit of ourselves back to the surrounding spirit.
Continue with this meditation, or begin the mindfulness meditation.
Mindfulness Meditation: As you inhale, imagine the spirit of the world entering your head, filling and swirling and surrounding. Enjoy this feeling through as many breaths as you wish. You may notice a thought or feeling or image arise. If it does, just notice it. Don’t worry if it’s not spiritual or “good”. Don’t judge it, just notice it. When ready, exhale that thought or feeling or image and let it mix with the swirling spirit that surrounds you. Go back to inhaling and exhaling the spirit.
Now inhale, imagining the spirit of the world entering your chest, filling and surrounding. Enjoy this feeling. If you notice a thought or feeling or image arise, just notice it, then let it go on an exhale to mix with the spirit.
Now inhale, imagining the spirit of the world entering your belly, filling and surrounding. Just notice.
Now inhale, imagining the spirit of the world entering your pelvis, filling and surrounding. Just notice.
Now inhale, imagining the spirit of the world entering your legs and down to your feet, filling and surrounding and grounding you. Just notice. Just breathe.
Closing Routine: When read, rub fingers together and take three cleansing breaths. Or use a closing routine that works for you. Let it enter your mind that you were just “inspiriting”. What a beautiful thought! With each breath you were joined. You are are not alone.
