Hello,
And welcome to methods and exploration in guided prayer and meditation.
Today we're continuing with our focus on the breath.
This method is a little more involved and may require some extra breath control.
If you need to,
You can go back and start with the first episode of this season,
Mindful Breathing,
To build a base of practice before moving to more challenging methods.
In prayer and meditation,
There are many words which we might want to fully embrace.
Repeating these can be a powerful thing and is often used in the Hebrew scriptures as a superlative or hyperbole.
For example,
The Book of Isaiah chapter six,
Verse three says,
And one called out to another and said,
Holy,
Holy,
Holy is the Lord of hosts.
The whole earth is full of his glory.
This modifying repetition,
Called a trihagian,
Was used as a way to describe something as completely or exceptionally embodying that quality,
Not just holy,
But holy,
Holy,
Holy.
But today,
We won't be praying scripture.
We will simply be using a meditative and prayerful posture to express our acceptance and gratitude for all that is.
Meister Eckhart,
A German theologian,
Is quoted as saying,
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you,
It will be enough.
One of the most powerful ways to emphasize and embrace a statement like this is to split the phrase in half and assign each half to a part of the breath,
Which reinforces its repetition as we never stop breathing.
The method goes like this.
Begin in the posture and setting which you've been using in the past weeks.
Breathe a few breaths.
In through the nose,
Out through the nose or mouth.
Relax.
With your in breath,
Place your hand on your abdomen.
Bring your attention to really filling your lungs all the way,
Starting at the bottom and feeling the movement of your belly.
Feel your belly collapse as you exhale slowly.
Inhale and say this phrase to yourself silently or allowed.
Yes.
Yes.
Exhale and say to yourself silently or allowed.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Repeat this phrase with the split breath,
Evening out the timing of your words with your breath until it feels continuous and natural.
It may be difficult for you at this time to thank God,
Especially if you are in the midst of suffering.
Here we can rest knowing that God does not cause or allow suffering to exist,
But suffers alongside of us.
Still,
There might be a phrase you wish to substitute with this one.
Please feel free to do this with whatever sentiment you want to express to God.
If you're someone who is triggered by the idea of thanking God,
Consider giving thanks to the universe,
To what exists or even to yourself.
Continue this pattern for your practice today.
Feel free to continue saying the phrase in your mind rather than allowed.
Thank you for staying with us.
You You You You You You You When you're ready release these words Continue your calm and slow breaths Enjoy a time of communion with God Slowly open your eyes and come back to the room When you can,
Today,
Return to this breath practice Yes,
Yes,
Yes Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you Thank you for participating in this episode of Methods.
For more content,
Visit our website at MethodsPodcast.
Com,
Soundcloud.
Com,
Methods Podcast,
Or find us on social media at Methods Podcast.
Until next time.
You
