Breathe

There is a lot of talk in educated circles about the neurologic, physiologic and psychological effects of regular meditation. This is nothing new. Meditation is an ancient practice to calm the mind, mend the body and open the senses, including the so-called sixth sense. Meditation is a natural and easy method to sit, breathe and allow the mind and body to rest.

 

Breathe! So few of us are conscious of the shallow, anxiety-constricted breathing we do in our rushed urban lives. Yes, breathing is an automatic process, but healthy breathing isn't always automatic if a brain/body internalizes environmental or psychological stress. Most of us in modern life of the developed world are stressed by driving, walking in congested cities, struggling to make a living, etc.. There are many sources of daily stress.

 

There is one sure preliminary therapy for this internalized stress. The beauty of meditation as therapy is its capacity to open the mind to further steps to recovery from daily stress. Many urban and materialistic people find this somewhat threatening. They do not want a mind which tells them the true cost of their hassled and/or addicted lives. This truth lays responsibility for changing a life at the feet of the meditator. The calmed and liberated mind sees through denial and self-delusion.

 

Any person who sits or lies down daily in a comfortable quiet space for 15-20 minutes and does nothing but breathe slowly and consciously will eventually become an adept meditator. The results of adopting this practice will vary widely from one meditator to another. For some, it will be a springboard for self discovery. For others, it will be an effective tranquilizer. It will work for some as way of way getting through the day with fewer tears or less pain.

 

Breathe. Meditate. Reflect on your meditations. This is a wonderful way to becoming more fully human, more fully conscious, more fully compassionate.