Our breath does much more than just keep us alive.
It is the pump that drives our creativity.
The dictionary definition of the word inspiration gives us some clues as to the breath's hidden function.
It's an inspiring influence,
Person,
Or notion.
It's the output from being inspired.
It's the inhaling of air into the lungs.
Or a divine influence on the mind or soul.
The latter definition is the most telling.
The etymology of the word inspiration gives a second clue.
Inspiration is based on the Latin word spirare,
Which means to breathe.
And the life breath is the essential force from which all creation was invented.
If you put a hyphen in the word invent,
A further clue can be found.
So most people speak on an out-breath.
This is the aspirational phase of the breathing process.
The inspiration phase is where we stir up the universal mind stuff such that ideas percolate into our conscious mind from the collective.
As we all have to breathe anyway,
It makes sense to utilize our breathing to increase our creativity.
Our diaphragm is the inspirational generator here.
So breathe in.
.
.
And down.
So at the start of each day,
Or especially before embarking on a creative task,
Sit upright with your hands on your belly with the middle fingers just touching.
Breathe in deeply so the middle fingers just part.
And then breathe out fully for about four times as long as the in-breath so the fingers just touch again.
Repeat this process either three,
Five,
Seven or nine times.
The number is important.
Start to pay particular attention to the thoughts that arrive between the in- and the out-breaths.
Be mindful of your aspirations and dreams as you breathe out.
On the in-breath be open to being inspired.
The observant of you will notice I've just shared with you another way to meditate,
Which of course you can use at the start of each day to save more time.
