Meditation Techniques: Breathe out despair

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Meditation Techniques: Breathe out despair

As we exhale, not only do we throw out carbon dioxide from our system, but also mental and emotional impurities. Here, Swami Kriyananda speaks of a breathing technique that will help overcome negative moods

We not only draw air into our body as we breathe, but vitality, strength and courage as well. And when we exhale, not only do we throw out carbon dioxide from our system, but also mental and emotional impurities such as discouragement, weakness and despair.

When a deliberate effort is made to absorb "prana" from the air that we breathe, then breathing can give us psycho-spiritual benefits as well. There is an intimate connection between the mind and the breath. When we are emotionally disturbed, the flow of energy in the body is also disturbed, and the effect on the breath is instantaneous: The breathing becomes erratic and rapid.

This interesting truth can be turned to good advantage, for just as the mind influences the breath, so also does the breath influence the mind. Harmful emotional states can be overcome to a great extent by deliberate, deep, harmonious breathing.

A Breathing Exercise:

The next time you feel depressed, worried, or simply agitated, instead of brooding over why you feel so, or worrying over the fact that you worry too much, try breathing your way to better spirits.

Inhale very slowly and deeply.

Feel you are not merely inhaling air but joy, peace, strength, or courage - whichever positive quality you want to affirm.

Sit very straight as you practice this exercise.

Imagine the breath filling not only your lungs, but the whole body - starting from the feet and culminating at a point between the eyebrows.

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See also: Meditation Techniques, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)