Hello everyone,
Hope you enjoyed reading my last blog of breath awareness. Today we will learn more about meditation and the techniques of meditation.
In the rush of modern life, we often overlook one of the most powerful tools for improving our mental health – Our Breath. Breathing is something we do automatically every moment of every day, yet only few of us truly understand its profound impact on our emotional and mental well-being.
Ancient healing systems, Yoga and Ayurveda have long recognized the connection between breath, mind, and body. In Ayurveda, breath is closely linked to Prana, the vital life force that nourishes every cell and supports physical, mental, and spiritual health. When our breathing is balanced and conscious, our mind becomes calm, focused, and resilient. When our breathing is shallow, rapid, or irregular, it can contribute to stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue.
Have you ever noticed how our breathing changes when we are stressed, angry, or anxious? It often becomes quick and shallow. On the other hand, when we feel relaxed and peaceful, our breathing naturally slows down and deepens.
Many meditation techniques attempt to quieten the mind, by first focusing the mind on a single point. It is easier to still the mind, by first concentrating the mind on something, than by not concentrating on anything. The breath has been known to be one of the easiest ways to concentrate the mind. That is why the meditations involving breath have been taught before the harder techniques of meditation.
In our last blog we learnt about practicing breath awareness, now let us learn little subtler aspect of breath awareness. Now we will start to concentrate between the two breaths. When we breathe, there is a gap between our inbreath and our outbreath. There is also another gap between our outbreath and our inbreath. We will focus our attention on these two gaps. This is what is meant by concentrating on the two places of its origin. The breath originates from this pauses.
We will sit in a lotus pose or any comfortable posture and close our eyes. We will focus our attention on our breath. We will focus on the starting point of our inhalation then we are aware of full breath, then we will pause for few seconds and we will focus on that pause then we start to exhale, we will focus on that starting point of exhalation, then we will be aware of whole breath and again we pause for few seconds and our attention is on pause and this we will repeat for all cycles.
We will not try to influence our breath in any way. We will just observe it. We must try and maintain continuous awareness of the breath and more particularly, the gap between two breaths. We will not make the mistake of only concentrating on the gaps between breaths, and letting the mind wander during the breath. If one does that, then one will also miss the gap between two breaths. Therefore concentrate on the full breathing cycle, with increased focus on the gap between the breaths.
As we practice, we may find the breath becoming more subtle and refined. The gap between two breaths may also increase. The breath may slow down. The entire breathing cycle may lengthen. When this happens, the mind may calm down. As we continue this practice, we will feel a sense of peace and joy.
Now, some of us will have question that why is the gap of the breath so important? The breath is pure energy. She is the Supreme energy Herself. She originates from the super soul and returns to the super soul. By concentrating on Her origin, one is concentrating on super soul Herself, so the origin and end of the breath are the two points where the goddess energy meets the super soul. That is union, that is what we are for here to merge with, to unite with super power and when that happens we feel blessed, we fell peace and subtleness within us.
We have wondered whole life, what is about the breath that makes it such a powerful meditation technique? When we fail to make our mind quiet with other meditation techniques, we usually succeed with breath techniques. The mind is attracted to rhythms. It is easier to focus the mind on a rhythm. And the breath is the most natural rhythm found in life.
These meditations bring the mind to the present. The mind always takes us to the past or the future. In the present, the mind cannot exist. In the present, there is no need, no use of the mind. One is only aware. By focusing the mind long enough on the present, the logical mind automatically dissolves. While practicing these meditations, thoughts may keep popping up. When any thought arises, we miss the turning of the breath. Do not get upset when this happens. Simply, bring the mind back to the practice. Do not dwell on the thoughts that have arisen, or get upset that these thoughts keep arising. Bring the mind back to the meditation. Gradually the thoughts will diminish, and one day will be eliminated altogether.
Our breath is always with us – a natural, accessible, and powerful tool for supporting mental health. By bringing awareness to the breath and practicing conscious breathing regularly. We can reduce stress, improve focus, enhance emotional balance, and cultivate a greater sense of peace.
in Ayurveda, true wellness begins with balance. Conscious breathing is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to restore that balance and reconnect with the vitality, clarity, and calm that reside within us all.
So, start practicing from today and see the big change within you, see how much productive you can be, how much calmness, subtleness you experience.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at my phone number and we can discuss.
See you next time with the new interesting topic. till then be calm and joyful.