Oceanic Breath Meditation

This simple, kundalini-inspired breathing practice uses the natural sound of waves washing onto a beach to remind the practitioner that our bodies are mostly water, making this an excellent part of a full moon ritual. Exhaling as the surf washes over the sand, inhaling as it recedes into the sea, this work allows the mind to rest as the breathing becomes the center of attention.

Transcript

To begin,

Bring the body into a comfortable seat,

Hands resting in your lap.

Relax the eyes into a soft gaze and listen for the breath moving silently along its way.

As the body settles into this quiet seat,

Exhale as fully as you can,

Emptying the lungs,

Feeling the low belly drawing in as the air moves out.

Allow the inhale to come naturally and notice the extra capacity available.

Enjoy this breath,

Full exhales giving way to full inhales and return to it any time you lose focus.

Feel the breath leaving the body like a wave rushing onto a beach.

It lingers there for a moment before returning to the ocean on the inhale.

As you breathe out,

See the tide spreading onto the sand.

Breathe in and watch it return to the sea.

As you practice this oceanic movement for the next few minutes,

Notice the source of this flow at the base of your seat and allow your body to contain this ocean.

Inhale,

Feel it rise up from beneath you,

Traveling swiftly along the spine.

Exhale and it flows out from the top of your head,

Washing down and around your body.

Continue on in this way,

Connecting your seat with your crown in one inhale,

Saturating your skin with fresh energy in one exhale.

This oceanic breathing is always available to you.

The body and the mind can always be infused with this fresh energy,

With a simple wave of attention.