The Practice of Breathing...

When you find yourself getting tense or stressed, take a moment to focus on your breath. Sit quietly, let your body relax, take a slow, deep breath, and feel the air gently filling your lower belly. Don't force it. Breathe naturally, without straining or pushing. Follow your breath as it moves in and out.

After a few moments, you may begin to feel yourself "being breathed." You're making no effort. The breath is just being received, then let go of. When your mind wanders, as it inevitably will, gently bring it back to the breath.

The practice of breathing can bring more joy, peace, and calm to your life in an effortless way. Perhaps, too, it will increase your awareness of the connection between breath and Spirit. When we become consciously aware of that connection, something expansive takes place within us.

Focusing on the breath is an accessible and ever-present doorway to our loving.

- John-Roger