Most of us don’t think about our breath. It is something that happens automatically yet we can control it. However, in these time of Covid-19, the virus attacks our very breath. Whether we have had the virus and experienced a difficulty in breathing or incessant coughing, or we have fear of catching it and our breath is shallow as a result, we are being forced to focus on our breath whether we acknowledge it or not. So what is this breath that is coming to the forefront?
Our mind and breath are connected. If we experience fear our breath quickens and we breathe shallowly. The brain then tells the body to produce stress hormones. If we are at peace, our breath is deeper and slower. The brain tells the body all is well and we come into harmony. The brain follows the breath. Therefore, we can create peace within by consciously breathing.
How important is breath? “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostril the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” Genesis 2:7 We need more than the oxygen our breath brings us; we need the breath of life our Creator gave us to be the human beings that we were meant to be. What is this breath of life? It is energy from the Creator that animates us, that makes us conscious beings, conscious of God.
“And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’”. John 20:22 Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into his disciples. The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity of God. God is Spirit and Jesus brought to us that Spirit by breath. If we are to know the Peace of God we need to ask Jesus to breathe the Spirit into us so that we can live as one human kind, the Creation of God.
As we practice the deep slow breathing of peace, we start to experience that place of stillness of awareness. “But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.” Job 32:8 We rebirth into consciousness our connection to God. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 Will you make time for God today? Consciously, take time to breath the breathe of Life, to breath the breathe of Spirit so that we may learn to live as one.
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