Breath of Awareness

Self awareness

Our own minds can be as busy as traffic at rush hour. Anxiety, overwhelm, exhaustion and irritability are all too common. For many, the “to-do” list gets longer and stress escalates in this season of peace and joy. What to do?

Ayurveda is unique in that it offers us a healthy path, overflowing with all the wisdom and practical tools that we would ever need to take good care of mind and body. Central to this path is the practice of meditation. But why meditate? What does it do? Wait, I’m too busy! My mind is too wild! What’s the big deal about the present moment, anyway? There are important things to get done, so why waste time meditating?

It turns out that this ancient practice of India is well suited to our modern experience of anxiety, overwhelm and constant busyness. And science is now proving it—meditation really works! It may be the most powerful thing we can do for our health and well-being.

What is it?

Meditation is about cultivating awareness. This awareness has the quality of openness and allows us to simply be with our surroundings in a relaxed and curious way.

These are moments of relief from the worry, stories and self-consciousness of our constant thinking process. Ahhh…a little bit of space.

Have you ever had a moment when your busy mind seemed to quiet down or even disappear? Suddenly, you found yourself fully aware of the beauty of the natural world…a fragrant garden flower… a delicious and unexpected taste…. a wondrous piece of music?  These experiences of awareness can be rare, just once in a blue moon.

Awareness is something we all need more of. It beneficially changes the brain and biochemistry. It deepens our experience of living and the quality of our life.
Who would want to miss out on this?
Awareness and presence contribute to a healthy mind and a healthy mind greatly influences the health of the body. Ultimately, meditation helps us to enjoy this short and precious life and to develop compassion and openness in our daily experience.

 

Seashore

We can start with small steps.

  1. Start by closing your eyes and resting your hands on your upper legs.
  2. Are you breathing?
  3. Notice that natural breath. No need to deepen or change the breath. Simply notice.
  4. For three of these natural breaths, see if you can be fully aware of the sensations: exhaling… inhaling.
  5. If this is easy for you increase to 7 or 21 breaths.

Experiment and start small.  See how awareness grows with just a few moments of breath and awareness practice a day.

Let us know how it goes.

Gina Mastroluca

Portland, Maine

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