Breathing the way forward
When we are face to face with a craving, or a very strong emotion, what do we do? How do we move forward? Do we stay within the heart space, our very own loving family circle, supported and held in wisdom consciousness, nurtured and nourished to go forward in clarity and empowerment?
Or do we just stay with the craving or feeling and let it guide us? Do we reach for something to change our mood quickly? What do we use to do this? Does it produce the results we really truly want? Maybe we do both, sometimes we stay in our heart space and sometimes we are triggered to react hastily. And then we are left with residues of regret and discomfort.
We could explore the many different types of breathing techniques with the use of mantra instead.
We can stand with the left foot under the left hip and the right foot under the right hip and allow our weight to settle, then scan the path of gravity up through our body from the earth to the crown of the head and to the sky. Take a deep breath feeling all the life energy filling our being and exhale fully allowing the exchange of life for non-life to take place! And we are feeding the trees!
Or we could take those 1-20 minutes and use our imagination of a visual color or picture matching our choice of mantra and experience the effects of this practice. Or we could, in addition, set specific times that would work with our schedules during the day and evening to immerse ourselves with the Divine Presence. We can propose to ourselves an appropriate plan or project to try using different ways and means and then write all our different findings down in a journal.
One view in the Yoga model of natural phenomena shows an upward moving life energy and a downward moving life energy. This exists within us. If we are most limited in our conscious awareness in one of these moving streams of awareness, we may be confused and create ideas or visual imaginings in a reverse manner. When we need to embrace a downward moving energy we go in the way of the upward moving energy. Perhaps from a trauma or injury or illness we have lingering effects which will manifest as cravings or desires that are contrary to the truth of our divine stirrings, and are the product of this confusion. The nervous system within reacts in either a freezing of any motion, or flight, or a fighting activity. It is the gifts of knowledge and awareness that will free us from these false leads, and that knowledge and awareness resuls from reflection with helpful tools.
A consistent practice of directed breath and meditation with or without mantra gradually clears away the blockages. It is a step -by- step process that is not always linear in its results and does require patience and persistence. If we are reflective and aware of our process, or write a journal, we can see and hear the progress and it is very rewarding. Studying with a certified Yoga or Vedic Chant teacher or working with Ayurveda or Acupuncture can help with appropriate progression to health and well-being.