Summary

Relax the belly with an upright and relaxed spine.

Breathe slowly, smoothly, and deeply.

Inhale Love.

Exhale Gratitude.

Overview

The human body exists in an invisible atmosphere of energies and elements. Most minds are so accustom to the label of “oxygen” that no further thought is given for this crucial and mystical building block of life.

Indian spirituality reveres the air we breathe as Prana, or the force of life. It is given to freely and enlivens life everywhere. The quality of breath and air determines the quality of a person’s life.

The original writings of Hebrew and Christian writings never included the word “spirit”. The word they used which translators applied the term “spirit” to was, ruwach (roo'-akh) in Hebrew and pneumati in Greek, both of which are literally translated to mean “breath”. The term “Holy Spirit” takes on a whole new meaning when we apply its literal meaning.

Humans live near the growth of trees because of their fresh air, but rarely do humans stop to wonder about the quality of air trees are receiving from them. People are generators of Prana for trees and plants. If each person were to inhale with receptivity the Love of an eternally vast Consciousness supporting each individual breath, and then, exhale humble gratitude out into the Universe as a response to what has been received, the quality of life on our planet would be dramatically uplifted. On a smaller scale, if just one person were able to constantly inhale Love and exhale gratitude, the quality of their life would be uplifted miraculously.

To practice

Upon inhale, recognize you are receiving something that is not your own to make or keep, but you are utterly and hopelessly dependent on it and it is freely and lovingly being given to you at all times. Feel this presence of Love, connectedness, and supportiveness (nicknamed oxygen), enter, fill, swirl, and move the currents of your body. Feel; release thinking. Center your thoughts on the word, “Love,” or the words, “I Love You,” with each and every inhale.

Then, as you exhale, release gratitude into your atmosphere by focusing your mind and heart on the word “Thanks,” or the words, “Thank you.” Let yourself be a generator of healthy, loving air, like the beautiful and strong trees and plants have been for you.

A person contributes more breath to the atmosphere and environment than anything else over the course of their lives. What kind of environmental benefits might unfold by people simply providing the healthiest and most loving breath they have to offer?