shore breathing

Breathe

Breathe.

Paying attention to the whole body, reaching and opening.

Breathe, and the world breathes with you. Each breath that enters you is the world breathing in to you. Each inhalation has been exhaled and inhaled; warmed and changed by its passage through the lungs or gills or cells of another a thousand times. Breathe, for you are in intimate relationship.

Breathe.

Each breath as different as waves upon a shore.

Breathe, and the world shares with you. Each breath is an exchange of gases with no thought of reward beyond your continued existence. Just as the trees breathe out oxygen that you might live; so you breathe out for others. Breathe, for your life is a gift of continuous generosity.

Breathe.

Into the tight, small places.

Breathe, and give no thought to continuing. From the moment of your birth the breath came unasked. Your lungs reaching, opening to it; closing behind it. Follow the breath to its end and marvel as another comes to replace it. Breathe, for your body’s strength to live is almost unshakeable.

Breathe.

Silenced voices begin to whisper.

Breathe, and listen to the breath. Your breath waxes and wanes between the automatic and the chosen. Each breath is part of the conversation between your conscious and pre-conscious selves. If you need strength or calm; if you need to run and hide, the breath will tell you. Breathe, for your breath tells your life’s story.

Breathe.

Find the strength of its centre.

Breathe, and sing into the breath. Sigh or yawn; scream or shout; snore or whisper. Each breath sings your song to the world that loves you. Come close to another, and know that your breath rate will slowly come into harmony with theirs. Breathe, for your breath is part of a choir; part of a symphony that includes the voices of all the things that have ever lived on this good, green earth.

Breathe.

Stretch into the stillness of its edges.

Breathe.

Dance with the elegance of its turning.

Breathe.

Pause.

Breathe.

hand to heart
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