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Meditation: The Joy of Breath

Here's a simple and powerful meditation to help you connect with the true power and magic of your breath.

Often we take our breath for granted. Do you ever wonder what you would experience if you spent time honoring and marvelling at each breath you took in?

Ready to find out?

Here are the steps:
  • Get comfortable, either standing up, seated or lying down. Just allow yourself to feel at ease and deeply supported by the ground, the chair, or whatever surface you are on.
  • Close your eyes and take several nice, deep breaths. Allow your mind and body to relax.
  • Be aware of your breaths. Notice the temperature of your breath coming in and going out. Notice how your chest or your belly gently moves up and down in sync with your breathing. Notice that each breath is so unique and different. Spend some time doing this and you will feel even more relaxed.
  • Next, allow yourself to do something different with your breath: honor it, marvel in it, adore it, love it, enjoy and appreciate it as the most precious gift you have received.
  • As you spend time tuning into and appreciating each breath, notice what feelings, thoughts, sensations or impressions come up for you. If you notice nothing, that's fine. If you notice something, be aware of it.
  • It usually feels really good to just spend time appreciating each breath, because it is such a sacred connection with your Life Force, with your Spirit. So, take your time and continue appreciating your breaths for a few minutes or so. If you find your mind wandering, don't worry. Just come back to your breathing and honor the breath again. You will find yourself feeling more and more relaxed as you appreciate your breaths.
  • Honor your inner experience and sacred deep connection with your Life Force. As you honor your breath, you honor YOU. During this process, you might find yourself accessing your own deeper wisdom, truths and knowing. Insights, inspirations and realizations might pop in spontaneously. Embrace them and thank your Spirit for the information.
  • When you feel complete and ready to return to the here and now, spend some time appreciating yourself for taking the time to do this meditation, and thanking your body for its service to your life.
  • If you find this meditation helpful, you can practice the breath appreciation anytime, even with eyes wide open.

If you have any pains (emotional or physical), often the pain will subside within a few moments as you do this simple practice. I found myself smiling through the aches and pains of the flu I had last week. It was a truly amazing spiritual practice for me.
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