"Breathe in deeply to bring your mind home to your body."
Thich Nhat Hanh
Last week we began our year of mindfulness with a simple breathing lesson to get used to considering our breath. This week we’ll take it a bit further.
- As with Breathing Practice 1, find a comfortable space to sit or lie down. This time make sure it’s a quiet space. In the morning I prefer a bright room, and at night I prefer a dimmer setting or even a dark room. It’s up to you. This is your time.
- If you are sitting, rest your hands on your lap, or on your stomach if you are lying down.
- Again, tuck your chin slightly, relax your jaw, and allow your eyelids to lightly close (soft eyes).
- Breathe, and welcome the natural flow of your breath allowing your mind to relax. If a thought flows by, allow it to do just that, flow by and come back to your breath.
- This week we will add conscience thought. Begin to welcome deeper breaths slowly. Then concentrate on breathing and what it feels like as it moves in and out. Feel the sensation of breathing. Is it warm or cold? If cold, notice if and when it warms. Is it a calm breeze or a wild storm? If a wild storm, notice if and when it calms. Is it loose or tight? If tight, notice if and when it loosens up. Also, how do you feel when breathing deeper? With this exercise you are shifting attention to your body and becoming more aware. Through awareness we change.
- Do this exercise for 10 minutes or longer each morning, throughout your day as often as you would like, and as you drift off to sleep.
Again, let this be easy. Concentrate on your body and the ebb and flow of your precious breath. This is the beginning of awareness. This is the door that opens mindfulness. Welcome home!
Next time we’ll take awareness a step further.
Stay safe. Take care,
Michelle
Welcome? photo courtesy of Jimmy_Joe
