Monday, December 16, 2013

365 Inspirations—350: Breathing

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” —Thich Nhat Hahn


This time of year, it's easy to forget to simply breathe.

The holidays can be busy and even stressful. Here in the city, I feel like people are driving here, running there...everyone is on a mission.

I just want to breathe.

So that's what I've decided to do this evening.

I'm going to breathe in and breathe out and perhaps read a book.

I had a full day of meeting friends and enjoyed my time immensely.

Inspire means to breathe life into something.

There are so many things that have inspired me this year, but maybe the fact that I'm here and breathing is inspiration itself.

Have you noticed your breath today? Do you pay attention to your own breathing?

3 comments:

  1. I meditate everyday. Meditation provides an expansive space that is always available to me. Meditation can be "done" anywhere: in airports, in friend's bathrooms, at your desk, sitting by the sea, in the woods, or by a favorite sculpture--in short, everywhere. I have meditated for 15-hours a day during sesshins or for just five minutes while waiting in the car to pick my son up. Granted, the longer one meditates the deeper one can potentially go, but consistency is the most crucial factor in a meditation practice. Meditating everyday, for whatever time you are able, is more beneficial than meditating for five hours once a month.

    When I first began meditating, and going on retreats, my goal was "enlightenment" or at the very least change. Now I rarely have a goal beyond the simple joy of appreciating each moment and being part of the flow, joined with all other beings who breath, who live, now, in the past, and in the future. More and more my meditation is for the benefit of others.
    As a Buddhist I am part of a chain that goes back thousands of years to the Buddha sitting under a tree breathing in and breathing out. This brings great comfort, joy and solidarity as well as mindfulness that each action has consequences.

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    Replies
    1. HI Christine...me too! I'm a longtime practitioner of meditation, but no longer have a goal. Awareness and kindness are my goals ^_^!

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  2. As you meditate, prayer is my practice and I am often in thankful mode because I am thankful for so many blessings. I like the painting you include here which suggests meditation or perhaps prayer too.

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