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The Birth and Death Breathing Practice
(For being in the moment)
This is a breathing practice or technique that I developed while in
Peru in 2001. It is an adaptation of a technique taught to me by Andean
shaman Theo Paredes. I find it very useful for consciously shifting
into being in the moment.
It goes like this:
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Inhale through your nostrils -a long, slow intake
of air to the point that you do not want to take in any more air.
As you inhale say (silently or aloud), "Birth."
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Hold the breath while saying (silently or
aloud): "I am here now in this precious moment." Repeat
this sentence focusing on the words that you are saying until
you need to exhale.
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Slowly exhale through your mouth while saying
(silently or aloud) the word, "Death."
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Before beginning the next inhalation, think or say
the word "Creation" for you are about to experience the
creation of the next moment.
This simple practice can propel you into the moment and the awareness
of it. The way it works is that the inhalation word, "birth,"
is awareness of the beginning of a moment. The sentence, "I am
here now in this precious moment," creates awareness that you
are in the middle of a moment. The exhalation word, "death,"
concludes that moment and sets up the beginning of the next one. I
like to do this breath at least three times, sometimes more. After
doing so, I find that I am calm, can objectively examine what is happening
now. It can create a mild altered state. I do not recommend doing
while driving or operating anything that could be dangerous. Simply
sit or lie quietly while practicing this technique.
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