The Elixir Of Breath - 20 Minute Daily Insight

“It is often cited that the greatest medicine of all is the breath. Yet, one takes it for granted and barely notices it at all. The in-breath heals us (after all, oxygen is life-force), and the out-breath soothes us, ridding the body of toxins, and it calms the nervous system. The breath offers so many elixirs and yet we probably only use between 10%-15% of our lung capacity at any given moment. Imagine how energised and tranquil we could be if we paid a little more attention to it! Enjoy!

Transcript

Hello and welcome to the Daily Insight. My name is Anne-Marie Rowley and I am a meditation teacher in Melbourne, Australia and it's a pleasure to be with you here on Insight Timer today. Today's meditation is simply focusing on the breath, The calming, Soothing breath, A useful practice to help you slow down, Still your mind, Nourish your body and to be at peace. Let us just practice breathing in and out. I shall remain silent for a little while as you do this. It is often cited that the greatest medicine of all is the breath. The breath, The breath, That precious gift that heals you, That soothes you, That draws you inwards to come home to yourself, To that place that is within you, That place of deep, Deep peace, That place that is within us all. Be in a quiet, Warm, Peaceful place, Preferably lying down and perhaps cover yourself in a light wrap or blanket to ensure you are snug and at ease. Just feel the sensation of breathing in and breathing out. Perhaps you can rest your hands on your chest or your belly to sense the rising and falling of the breath. There abounds, Surrounds and envelops you in its gentle embrace and is continually there for you. It is free, It is constant, But how much do we take it for granted? Feel and observe the breath for a little while, Let it bring you home to that state of clarity and complete rest. I am breathing in. I am breathing out. Deeply. Slowly. Gently. Peacefully. In this moment, This precious moment. Breathing in. Breathing out. Deeply. Slowly. Gently. Peacefully. In this moment. This gentle moment. Cool air entering. Warm air leaving. I feel the breath in my upper lip as it gently fades away, Leaving space and time for the next breath and the next one. Feeling me soothed and peaceful. Breathing in. Breathing out. The in-breath weaving its way throughout my whole being, Forging the canals of energy throughout my body, Gently winding, Gently gliding, Gently nourishing, Gently cooling, Gently warming, Gently cleansing. Effortlessly breathing in. Effortlessly breathing out. With each breath I watch, Feel, Listen. Each breath guides me into this moment. This gentle moment. As I ride on the waves of breath, The ebb and flow, Like a soft gentle wave flowing peacefully in and out. Flowing peacefully. In and out. Flowing, Flowing, Flowing. It is the in-breath that is healing. It is the out-breath that is soothing. Like a wave coming into shore, Pausing and then receding back out into a vast calm ocean. Rippling. Resting. Rippling. Resting. The breath moves with me and I with it. The breath invites me to move without hesitation, Without strain, Without effort. I know the breath will sustain and nourish me fully. The breath. The breath. The breath. All I need to do is breathe in, Breathe out. Fully. Holy. Without judgment. Without fear. Surrendering to its calming ways. I feel the softness enter my body, The gentle massaging of the in-breath. I feel the softness leave my body, Its soothing, Calming retreat. The breath breathes me. I breathe the breath. I know deep within that it is the breath that allows me to be clear, Aware, Gentle, Compassionate, Patient, Loving and healthy. That breath that reaches out to the world beyond and inwards to the world within. My inner world. My world without distraction. My calm, Serene spirit. I feel the in-breath. I extend the in-breath. I hear the in-breath. I know its beginning. I know its end. I know its path. I know it is healing. I feel the out-breath. I extend the out-breath. I hear the out-breath. I know its beginning. I know its end. I know its path. I know it is soothing. And I know that breath will return again and again and again. Every part of me needs breath. But do I allow it in fully without hesitation? Or do I hold it back or hold it in? Do I let the breath go easily? Or do I block its path and tie myself in knots so it cannot pass? Sometimes nothing seems to happen and it is the pause that allures me, Allows me to be still, Silent and aware. And how can I expect to hear nature's melody? The whispers of the wind, The rustling of the leaves, The crackling of firewood, Water trickling over pebbles, The honeyed tones of birdsong, Footsteps crunching in the snow, How can I expect to hear nature's hymns when I can't even hear the sound of my own breath? All I need to do is breathe in and be aware. And breathe out and be aware. Slowly, Gently, Peacefully, Fully, Wholly, Without judgment, Without fear, Surrendering to its calming ways. The breath, The breath, The breath. And now slowly bring your hands to your heart and lay one on top of the other. Notice how you are feeling. Just practicing breathing in and out slowly and reverently. The breath, The breath, The breath. All I need to do is breathe in, Breathe out. Breathe in, Breathe out. Fully, Wholly, Without judgment, Without fear. Surrendering to its calming ways. Prana, Life force, Chi, Energy, Tension leaving, Fatigue melting away. Breathing in, Breathing out. Breathing in, Breathing out. I feel the in-breath. I extend the in-breath. I hear the in-breath. I know its beginning. I know its end. I know its path. I know it is healing. I feel the out-breath. I feel the out-breath. I extend the out-breath. I hear the out-breath. I know its beginning. I know its end. I know its path. I know it is soothing. And I know that breath will return again and again and again. Where do I find the now? That place of the present? The stillness? The silence? Is it not in the pause, In that very pause that is between the in-breath and the out-breath? And again, Nothing seems to happen. And then it comes. The breath. The breath. The breath. I feel the in-breath. I feel the in-breath. I extend the in-breath. I hear the in-breath. I know its beginning. I know its end. I know its path. I know it is healing. I feel the out-breath. I feel the out-breath. I extend the out-breath. I hear the out-breath. I know its beginning. I know its end. I know its path. I know it is soothing. And I know that breath will return again and again and again. All I need to do is breathe in. Breathe out. With full awareness. Slowly. Gently. Peacefully. Holy. Without judgment. Without fear. Surrendering to its calming ways. The breath. The breath. The breath. Let us just practice breathing in and breathing out slowly. I shall remain silent for a little while. And now slowly bring your hands to your heart. Lay one on top of the other. Notice how you are feeling. And softly say to yourself, I am grateful for each breath I receive. I am grateful for each breath I receive. And breath, I shall care for you as you care for me. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om. Peace. Peace. Om Shanti Shanti Om.

Reviews

Quite possibly the best meditation on this platform. Thank you. 🙏

That was really lovely, and I feel so much calmer & more at ease on the other side 🌬️🌾😌 Thank you.

Lovely, lovely, lovely ❤️ Your voice is so soothing. Thank you so much for sharing 🙏

I loved that. Thank you. It feels like a real honouring of what the breath really is through experiential practice.

An amazing teacher!
I love the content of her meditations and her soothing voice.
Thank you!