My friend,
Let's do a short practice together to celebrate the breath,
To really appreciate the way that it feels,
But also to acknowledge the ways that it brings us all into deep connection with one another.
Sometimes it's really nice just to realize how deeply intertwined we all are and how much care we might choose to give to one another when we realize how we're all mutually supporting one another.
So let's see what it's like to do this simple breathing practice.
So you're welcome to lie down on your back.
You're also welcome to sit maybe on a pillow with your spine nice and long.
And of course sitting in a chair is always a nice option.
So make yourself comfortable in a way that you can be maximally aware and attentive on the back,
On a pillow,
Or on a chair.
Let's just start to feel for a moment the support beneath us and just settle for a moment.
And now as you breathe in,
Let's just identify this breath in as an in-breath.
So here comes a breath in and we can know that this is an in-breath.
And let's do the same as we breathe out.
So as we breathe out,
Let's be very aware this is an out-breath.
Nothing more than that.
Breathing in,
I know this is an in-breath.
And breathing out,
I know this is an out-breath.
And as you do this for a few breaths,
You might notice how easy it is for the mind to wander off.
And that's okay.
When it does,
Just gently guide it back.
Oh dear mind,
Come on back.
And let's just know that this next breath in is an in-breath.
This next breath out is an out-breath.
Maybe just one more breath,
Knowing the in-breath and knowing the out-breath.
Let's continue to pay attention to the breath.
And as we breathe in now,
Let's follow the journey of the in-breath.
And as we breathe out,
Let's follow the journey of the out-breath.
So breathing in,
We follow the in-breath from beginning to end.
And breathing out,
We follow the out-breath from beginning to end.
As we follow the journey of the in-breath,
We might become aware that this in-breath comes from well beyond us.
And as we follow the journey of the out-breath,
We may become aware that this out-breath goes well beyond us.
So every breath in,
As we follow the journey of the in-breath from beginning to end,
We can realize that the beginning may start with someone else's out-breath.
And as we follow the journey of the out-breath,
We may realize that the end of our out-breath is the beginning of someone else's in-breath.
And as we breathe like this,
We may become aware that with every inhale,
We're breathing with everyone.
And with every exhale,
Our breath joins everyone's breath.
So let's spend a few breaths like this,
Breathing together,
Following the journey of the in-breath from beginning to end,
From the breath of all to the breath of ours.
And then follow the journey of the out-breath from beginning to end,
From this breath of ours to the breath of all.
And now,
Let's take some time continuing to pay attention to the breath.
Let's feel the breath as it moves in the body.
And so as we breathe in,
Let's realize that this breath of all that finds us is nourishing us in every way.
And as we breathe out,
Let's realize that this breath of ours,
As it leaves,
Is soothing us and offering breath to all.
And so breathing in,
Feeling the nourishment of in-breath.
And as we breathe out,
Feeling the soothing of out-breath.
Let's breathe like that for a few more breaths together,
Recognizing how this breath that connects us all nourishes us with every in-breath.
And as we let go of the breath,
This breath gives us an opportunity to soften and become soothed as we release the breath for all.
Continuing to pay attention to the breath,
Coming and going.
As we breathe in,
Let's continue to feel the nourishment of the in-breath.
And as we breathe out,
Let's offer with our out-breath whatever it is that we'd like to share with everyone.
And so breathing in,
Feeling the nourishment of the in-breath.
And breathing out,
Offering whatever it is that we have to share with everyone connected to us through the breath.
People near and far,
All living creatures.
Breathing in,
Feel the nourishment of the inhale.
And breathing out,
I offer what I'd like to see,
What I'd like to feel,
What I'd like to share with the whole breathing world.
And this may be love or peace,
Calm.
It may be respect,
Integrity,
Stability.
We breathe in together the nourishment of every breath.
And as we breathe out,
We offer what we value for the whole breathing world connected to us as the breath journeys onward on our out-breath.
So let's breathe together like this now.
Breathing in,
Feeling the nourishment of in-breath.
And breathing out,
Offering our precious values to the whole breathing world on the out-breath.
And now my friends,
As we breathe in together,
Let's realize that we share this present moment.
And as we breathe out together,
Let's appreciate this present moment.
So breathing in,
Aware that we share this present moment with the whole breathing world.
And breathing out,
Appreciating this present moment that we collaborate in with the whole breathing world.
Breathing in this present moment.
And breathing out,
Appreciating all the ways we create this present moment together.
And now my friends,
Let's take this present moment to see how this practice can guide us through the rest of our day.
How will you remember this practice as you move and breathe among all of your friends and family,
In your community,
And with the whole breathing world?
And it's always nice to celebrate the fact that we did this practice together.
Please thank yourself for taking the time to sit quietly,
To feel the breath and the way it connects us all,
To make your offer on the breath for the ways that we can help each other,
And to appreciate one another.
Thank you for doing this practice.
