Wednesday: Breathing, Gratitude & Mindfulness
Wed, September 24
- Scripture: Psalm 107:1 — “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
- Reflection: Being begins with breath. Breath becomes the tie that binds: connection between interior and exterior, individual and environment, solitary clusters of particles and the world’s fulsome cloud of elemental presence, finite creature and infinite matter.
From the Christian tradition, the movement of (ru’ach) wind (also considered to be God’s breath, Spirit and/or creating Word) over the chaos of the cosmos signals the start of everything, imposing pattern and order and the emergence of the universe itself. This is referenced in Genesis, Job, Psalms, and other Biblical texts. The Center for Action and Contemplation, founded by Fr. Richard Rohr, cites the work of James Finley, as he shares an experience from his time as a monk at the Abbey of Gethsemane: “One day as I walked back and forth in the loft of the barn reading the Psalms, I began to realize that what we tend to think of as the air is actually God. In a subtle, interior way I sensed that I was walking back and forth in the atmospheric, all-encompassing presence of God, who was sustaining me breath by breath…” (full article) Barbara Holmes writes (full article): “Breath is the sustainer of life and also the vehicle for entry into the contemplative center. We take deep breaths to still our thoughts, center our being and connect to a wisdom that permeates the universe.”
Barbara Holmes continues, “I invite you to try a practice of mindful breathing, connecting with this vital and universal life force. Sit in a comfortable, upright position and place one hand on your stomach, the other hand on your heart. Close your eyes if you wish.
As you breathe through your nose, simply observe how your body moves naturally, without you even thinking about it. Notice your belly rising and falling.
After a few moments, hold your breath for a count of five before exhaling through your mouth. Continue inhaling deeply through your nose, holding your breath for five counts, and breathing out through your mouth for several minutes. This can help release tension and anxiety.
Finally, relax into your natural rhythm of breathing and rest in gratitude for the wisdom of your body and the collective human body that all breathes the same air.”
Practitioners of mindfulness always begin exercises by asking people to settle into a comfortable position, inhale deeply, then follow the breath inward. Pay attention to its journey. Become aware of one’s own groundedness. Hold the breath. Stay aware. Then trace the exhalation and the relaxation of the body and the touching of the outer world and reality.
In an era filled with so many demands on our time and attention, dragging our minds and hearts into turbulent places and headlines, this practice takes us back to basics. Reminds us of our own inner life and light. How we are interconnected to everything.
Breathing is a fundamental self-care exercise. It is also a contemplative practice and skill. It can be used any time, anywhere, without any extra gear or tools. It can help us center at any point when that becomes necessary. - Spiritual Practice: Follow the breathing practice outlined above by Barbara Holmes, or use a different breathing practice you already have. Set aside time today to focus on this fundamental.
Song:
- Breathe by Niko Moon: https://youtu.be/nuI4ChO1RyI?si=r9-Wvj4VPwTzbGzg
“Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“Inhale blessings, exhale gratitude…” — Jessica Robinson
Sept 24 Daily Devotional