2.1 (F) The Breath
The Breath:
As we delve into the next steps, we will need to learn how to relax the body and mind. This is completely possible using what is already inside of us. Knowing how to use the senses to our advantage, is extremely helpful, but we also need to think about a more obvious tool we can use…the breath.
Breath is life, and without it, we can’t survive. But know that we can also USE it, in various ways to stimulate certain parts of the brain, which may be a more powerful healing mechanism than originally thought. You can use the breath any time you start to feel yourself getting worked up, overwhelmed, and even sleepless. Just know that as you are using this breath, be sure you are being accepting of what ever is going on. Remember, “where the energy flows, the mind goes”. If the mind focuses in on the anxiety you are feeling, it will become harder to find relaxation in the breath. Practice makes perfect. By practicing when you aren’t feeling stressed, you are showing the mind how you would “like” to feel. When a real difficult situation comes up, and you start to breathe to relax, your mind will remember that relaxation, and try to find it. Find acceptance in however you are feeling. This is important. The more you accept, the easier it becomes to release. As with what we were talking about above, you don’t need to "like" what you are experiencing, you just have to be accepting of what is happening, and know that it will pass. Acceptance isn’t being ok with it, you are just telling yourself that you are willing to tolerate this moment, knowing that it is just this moment, and it will pass. When you give yourself the chance to understand this, you will notice how much easier things start to become.
As we delve into the next steps, we will need to learn how to relax the body and mind. This is completely possible using what is already inside of us. Knowing how to use the senses to our advantage, is extremely helpful, but we also need to think about a more obvious tool we can use…the breath.
Breath is life, and without it, we can’t survive. But know that we can also USE it, in various ways to stimulate certain parts of the brain, which may be a more powerful healing mechanism than originally thought. You can use the breath any time you start to feel yourself getting worked up, overwhelmed, and even sleepless. Just know that as you are using this breath, be sure you are being accepting of what ever is going on. Remember, “where the energy flows, the mind goes”. If the mind focuses in on the anxiety you are feeling, it will become harder to find relaxation in the breath. Practice makes perfect. By practicing when you aren’t feeling stressed, you are showing the mind how you would “like” to feel. When a real difficult situation comes up, and you start to breathe to relax, your mind will remember that relaxation, and try to find it. Find acceptance in however you are feeling. This is important. The more you accept, the easier it becomes to release. As with what we were talking about above, you don’t need to "like" what you are experiencing, you just have to be accepting of what is happening, and know that it will pass. Acceptance isn’t being ok with it, you are just telling yourself that you are willing to tolerate this moment, knowing that it is just this moment, and it will pass. When you give yourself the chance to understand this, you will notice how much easier things start to become.