Message #1632

[Jitendra Hydonus]

We all have events that trigger stress or anxiety ; answering the telephone, approaching green lights (will it turn yellow just as I get there?), serving during a tennis match, making the big presentation, meeting new people. You may find yourself unconsciously holding your breath during those moments. Feeling breathless or holding your breath is a cue to use deep breathing.

When do you use deep breathing?
Dont use deep breathing during meditation. That is the time when you want to be aware of your breath, but not necessarily controlling it. Use deep breathing at times when you need energy or want to fill calm: during yoga, during exercise (instead of panting on the treadmill and using only your chest to breathe, deepen and slow the breath), before stressful confrontations, before doing something you dont like to do, before meditation (a warm-up that calms the mind). Or do deep breathing just for the fun of it, just to feel calm and at peace.

Focusing on breathing concentrates the mind. The great Paramahansa Yogananda compared breathing and restless thoughts to storms. We cant find serenity  that no stress state � until we calm those storms through deep breathing and meditation.

http://www.yogamovement.com/resources/breathing.html

i have been giving more attention to the 20 20 20 breathing (or what ever is comfortable in that proportion) before practicing a mantra; Taught by Paramahansa Yogananda in the SRF lessons. Sometimes the simplest of things need reminding the most. Paramahansa Yogananda mentioned that the state of consciousness we have is in direct relationships to the breath. If you are angry, you will breath very fast. If you are calm and at peace your breath becomes slow. He also asks the question : 'When you consciously watch the breath, what happens?' Try it and you will see that eventually your heart and internal organs calm down. This slows down the process of decay, calms the restless mind and interiorizes the consciousness for spiritual awareness. It is good thing to keep in mind: thanks Lauraa.......Steve