An Invitation to Explore Conscious Breath
Over the years, I’ve come to see conscious breathing not as a practice or technique to master, but as a gentle companion on this journey of awakening. It’s been a reminder for me—something that guides me back to a state of allowing and receiving, without imposing any rules or steps to follow.
There was a time when I approached breathing as a solution, a tool to calm the mind or fix the body. But I’ve since discovered that conscious breath is much more natural than that. It’s not something you have to “do” at all—it’s something you allow.
For me, breathing isn’t about achieving a state of relaxation or gaining control over my thoughts (But I do notice the relaxation that is natural). It’s more about reconnecting with what’s already within. And so, rather than giving you steps or instructions, I’d like to simply invite you to explore conscious breathing in your own way, with ease and curiosity.
An Invitation to Explore Your Breath
You might be wondering: How do I begin? Well, there’s no right or wrong way to start. You don’t need to follow a particular method, but here’s what I’ve discovered along the way—feel free to explore these ideas in a way that feels good to you:
- Take a Moment to Pause: Whenever you feel called to it, simply take a moment to pause. You don’t need to do anything special—just notice that your breath is already happening. Let it be as it is, without trying to change or control it.
- Notice the Inhale and Exhale: Gently bring your awareness to the sensation of your breath as it flows in and out. There’s no need to deepen the breath or slow it down—just observe how it naturally moves through you. If thoughts come up, let them be, and gently return to noticing the breath.
- Allow the Breath to Be a Companion: Imagine your breath as a gentle companion, always there to guide you back to the present moment. It doesn’t ask anything of you, it’s just there—reminding you that life flows naturally when we allow it.
- Explore What Feels Natural for You: Some days, you might find that deep breaths feel nourishing. Other times, a soft, natural rhythm is enough. Trust what feels good for you in that moment. There’s no need to force or push anything.
- Let Go of the Need to Achieve: Conscious breathing isn’t about getting it “right” or achieving a specific state. It’s simply a way to reconnect with yourself and the flow of life. Let go of any expectations and just be with your breath.
Breath with Ease
For me, this gentle approach to conscious breathing has been a way of remembering that everything I need is already here. The breath isn’t something I need to control—it’s something I can trust to guide me back to a state of ease and flow.
So, I invite you to explore your breath. Not as a task or solution, but as a companion on your journey. Notice how it feels when you let your breath simply be, without trying to change it. And trust that in those moments, you’re reconnecting with the natural state of allowing and receiving that’s always within you.
There’s no right way to do this—only your way.
Additional Resources:
The only thing that shatters dreams is compromise. (Jonathan Livingston Seagull)