BREATHE: A Spiritual Practice
Jan 17, 2024
Blog by Gem Fadling
Breathing. We breathe all day long without giving it a thought. It’s just one of the many astounding aspects of our God-given bodies. I’m grateful for all the processes that continue to keep me healthy and alive, aren’t you?
Today, using the word BREATHE, I’m going to guide you in a spiritual practice that you can use in the middle of any given day. We’ll make the unconscious, conscious and give our souls space to breathe.
We’re going to dive right into this practice, so if you can, get comfortable in your chair and close your eyes. This is meant to be used in the middle of a regular day.
We’ll allow the letters in the word BREATHE to bring us into the present moment and engage with God.
As we begin, let’s take a deep breath. And really take your time on the exhale…
Let’s BREATHE together and we’ll start with the letter B.
B
Be
Be here
Not somewhere else
Not some time else
Now
Here
Be
R
Relax
Relax your shoulders
Relax your eyes
Relax your jaw
Relax your belly
Relax your mind
Relax
E
Encounter
Encounter God
Remember you are not alone
God is not elsewhere
God is with you
Right here
Right now
Encounter
A
Awaken
Awaken to your emotions
Are you anxious?
Are you joyful?
Are you sad?
Do you feel rushed?
Happy?
Frustrated?
God is with you as you feel this
Awaken to God’s presence
Awaken
T
Thank
Thank God for being with you
Thank God for this moment of respite
Thank God for reminding you to pause
Thank God for whatever is in your heart
Gratitude is a natural attitude shifter
Thank
H
Hope
Hope in God
Hoping in circumstances is shifting sand
But hoping in God strengthens you
Ask God for help
You are not alone
Trust God to care for you
Hope
E
Engage
Engage your life with more peace
Resume your task with a lighter heart
Reenter a relationship with a little more perspective
Engage from a place of grace
Engage at the pace of grace
Engage
Be
Relax
Encounter
Awaken
Thank
Hope
Engage
B R E A T H E
Reflection
If you only had time right now to simply read this email, that’s okay. My invitation is for you to set aside time this week to try this on. Take five minutes, sit in a chair, close your eyes, and practice BREATHE-ing.
