When the breath is calm, the mind and body are also calm.Power of the Breath
Researchers have found that controlled breathing, guided imagery, and meditation promote not only a positive mental attitude in people being treated for cancer, but provide significant health benefits in supporting the immune system and the overall health of the body, including reduced serum cortisol levels in only 10 weeks.
Blood flow is greater in the lower lungs due to gravity and correct breathing techniques ensure the maximum exchange of carbon-dioxide with oxygen, effectively eliminating toxins and other waste products from the body via the breath.
The breath has a great deal of power over the mind and the body. The main predictor for a long life is your lung capacity. The ability to breathe deeply in a steady and controlled manner has been proven to not only promote health, but increase your life span.
The breath has power not only on a physical level, but on a subtle level too. As you meditate every day, you raise your ability to develop positive awareness in rhythm with your deep and steady breath. When you are faced with challenges and stress in your day-to-day life, you simply have to return to the rhythmic flow of the breath and within a few moments, your pulse rate slows, blood pressure lowers, respiration slows and you continue breathing slowly and deeply until you experience a physical and mental state of calmness that you normally experience during your meditation practice.
Slow and Steady Breathing
As you meditate every day, choose a positive word or phrase and repeat it in rhythm with your slow and steady breath.
Positive thoughts directed to yourself and others help you to stay focused on what really matters.
Examples of positive affirmations are:
I am lovedBreath Influences Your Mood
I am filled with vitality
All is well
I am at peace
I am happy
Peace in my body, mind, and spirit
Each one of us is defined by the choices that we make as they reveal our innermost values and what we hold up as important.
Cultivate a state of optimism in all your thoughts by drawing this understanding to the flow of your breath, during meditation, and all your waking activities.
In time, a slow and steady breath becomes your normal state of being. When the breath is calm, your thoughts and life choices are also calm and appropriate.
Make choices that honor who you truly are and you will create a lifetime of love and happiness.
I think I am a much better person, I am relaxing and breathing and stretching. Is there more, I will check back.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol - Once an individual becomes an experienced practitioner of meditation, they no longer require the use of "props" such as using the breath or fixing the mind on an object. They are calm and peaceful at all times. Their meditation transitions to a higher level where they lose awareness of the breath and body (some even stop breathing) and enter a state of Bliss where they are in contact with God. Aahhh Bliss!
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