To keep the lessons at 3 minutes plus, I have needed to break up this pre-course exercise into two lessons. So here is today’s. Enjoy!
WRITTEN VERSION OF THE BREATHING EXERCISE
Here is the first part of that pre course exercise I promised. This is a nice little breathing exercise that is excellent for helping you find a quiet mind and developing a quiet mind easily is something that we’re going to be doing a lot of over the next six months.
If for some reason, this way of getting a quiet mind doesn’t suit you, then come back to me and we’ll work out another way.
So have a go at this breathing exercise right now while just sitting at the computer.
Notice whether you are breathing through your nose or mouth. Breath a little harder so as to make a bit of a noise as you breathe in and out.
And while you do that again, notice where you can first feel the air as it comes in.
Then notice where you can last feel the air as your breath goes out.
Notice how far the breath comes in and how far down your throat can you feel the air coming in.
Notice what parts of your body move as you are breathing. Can you feel your chest? Can you feel your arms lifting and then sinking down as you breathe out? Can you feel a movement in your stomach? Does it come in and out with your breath? What about in your back, can you feel the movement of the breath in your back?
Now see if you can feel your heart beat behind your breath.
Now, your mission should you choose to accept it – is to practise this quiet mind as often as you can today, because we’re going to use it on purpose tomorrow. And with enough practise, eventually you will be able to trigger a quiet mind even under stressful situations and that will be right up there amongst the best things you have ever learned.
Have fun with it! And see you tomorrow.