One Conscious Breath
Whole species have been wiped off the face of this earth before. Humans are as nothing, relative to the totality. This can be taken in many ways. You could, for example, give in to abject hopelessness, polluting, raging and consuming on a hedonistic rampage. And I must stress here, whilst there are consequences within the constructs of human civilisation, from a non-physical perspective, you are free to do as you please. You could also view the fleeting nature of human life and the acute awareness of your mortality as a cue to take refuge in the sanctity of the present moment.
Very young children, generally speaking, are in the moment. They are not yet faced with the reality of their inevitable doom. In fact, many children are perplexed when faced with the loss of a loved one and told, ‘You will never see this person again; it’s like they have gone to sleep and won’t wake up’ in an attempt to explain what death is. There is a time in a child’s life when they are unable to conceptualise death or time, for that matter.
At this early stage of life, a child is perpetually in the present moment and they are filled with exuberant bliss. Life for them is enriched. Each moment is filled with magic and wonder because everything is fresh, new, interesting and exciting. Life is a series of moments and a child moves from one exciting and joyful moment, to the next exciting and joyful moment. Of course, there are moments of terrible sadness, tiredness, rage, calm, playfulness and more but each one of these emotions is embraced and experienced fully. A child will indulge their emotions with reckless abandon. They throw a tantrum one moment and then become peacefully absorbed in a butterfly the next.
Life offers a variety of experiences to each and every one of us. You manifested here, as an expression of the absolute, for the desire of being realised. The creativity of the universe is abundant and unlimited. The myriad of forms on this planet alone is truly mind-boggling, especially if natural history is taken into account. Planetary biodiversity today is barely fathomable. You are one such lifeform. There are billions, trillions, (probably more) lifeforms in this universe and you are but one. And here's the really cool part; you are completely unique. There has never been one such as you and there will never be another exactly like you, ever again. Please don’t discount the contribution of your individual qualities in this lifetime.
Let’s say, hypothetically, that consciousness is expressing itself through you. Wouldn’t consciousness want to have the opportunity to fully experience being you? What kind of genetic coding did you receive and how does this influence your interactions with the world? What were your early experiences that shaped you? What is your emotional, physical and intellectual makeup? How is your brain wired and what thought patterns are you inclined towards? What cultural and social factors influence the way you perceive the world? How do you perceive colour and light? How do certain sounds affect you? In what ways might your memories be recalled?
I ask some of the many possible questions I could ask, to highlight the uniqueness of your experience on earth. If there is only one like you, perhaps you came here simply to be you. Perhaps you have but one primary purpose on this planet and that is to live as you, as if you chose to be you, as if who you are, is the best thing you can be.
If you have a painful past, you may have a tendency to deny aspects of who you are. This is not your fault, nor is it a problem. Society might tell a child ‘Stop crying’ or ‘Don’t be sad.’ Adults who are uncomfortable with expression of emotion will potentially distract, attenuate or stifle a child in distress. While it is good to teach children appropriate ways to express emotion, (according to society) an issue can arise in adulthood whereby people habitually deny their emotions.
If you continually deny what you feel, it will manifest as a physical ailment or as a challenge to be dealt with. The emotion will be desperate for recognition. Humans who are suffering often attempt to distract themselves from discomfort through compulsive activity, in other words, perpetual ‘doing.’ Do you pick up your phone and aimlessly scroll? Is the television or radio always on in the background? Does an altered state of consciousness, such as, drunkenness, help you feel better? Do you have to be eating, drinking or working? Can you be still with no agenda for a time each day? Your purpose is to be you; to allow consciousness to be fully expressed through you. If you deny aspects of emotions that visit with you, you deny your unique experience. But it is never too late.
Go within periodically. Give yourself permission to be you, that is, the deeper you who exists before the various roles you play in this lifetime. It is your essential nature, the part of you that is beyond your mortality; the depths of your being that allow your various forms to manifest. Set aside time to reconnect with your innermost self. Breath and body awareness practices are excellent for anchoring your awareness to the physical self and the present moment. Try it now, if you like. Take one conscious breath as you read this. Follow the breath with your awareness, as it moves down deep into the lungs. Notice how the diaphragm moves, expanding the lungs and allowing them to fill with air. Become aware of the rib cage expanding and the subtle movement of the clavicles. As you exhale, notice how it all relaxes and resets, like a clean slate, refreshed and revitalised. Even one conscious breath, can make a world of difference to your state of being. But if you like, you can do this for longer. Start by setting a timer for five or ten minutes and observe; be alert, be still and watch.
Is there discomfort in this moment? See if you can simply notice and bring your focus back to the breath, whilst simultaneously observing the sensation of discomfort. Can you allow yourself to remain calm? Is it possible to observe without reacting to what you feel, without analysing, seeking solutions or meaning? Does the discomfort produce tension somewhere in the body? Can you notice that also? What happens to the emotion if you allow it to be there for a while; if you allow it to visit with you? Does it begin to ease? Can you become aware of the spaciousness within which the emotion exists?
The key to inner transformation is not denial of that which you feel, rather, it is acceptance. Acceptance of all that you are in this lifetime and all you have come to be is the key to living an enriched life experience. However, you are free and can do and be as you please. There is no right or wrong in this. But if you should wish to try something different, the practice of breath and body awareness is always here for you.
If things become overwhelming in life, see if you can use it as a reminder to take one conscious breath.
Life is complex and challenging, for all human beings (yes, even the ones who seem to have it all). Be gentle and compassionate towards yourself. Extend a little kindness and generosity of spirit towards those whom you judge. You don’t know their history and you can never know what it is like to be them. You can only be you and that, dear one, is the greatest thing of all to be.
If you would like some assistance with learning the practice of breath and body awareness meditation, please check out my services.
