An Ancient Indian Tale:
"There was a conference of all the human faculties, all the senses, which in the Indian tradition are six: the five senses plus the mind. As at many meetings, they first had to decide who would be in charge. Sight popped up and put in its bid, creating beautiful images that had everyone enraptured. Smell arose and created powerful and haunting aromas that left everyone tingling with anticipation. But taste could top that, with astounding and delectable flavours from all the world's cuisines. Hearing created exquisite harmonies that brought everyone to tears, and the body brought on physical sensations that had everyone in ecstasy, and the mind spun out intellectual theories that took on beauty by the depths of the truths they expressed. Along came breath, not even one of the senses! And said it wanted to be in charge. All it could present was the simple in and out breath, not terribly impressive in the face of everything else. No one even noticed it. The other senses got into a tremendous argument over which one of them would be chosen. The breath, in its disappointment began walking away. And the images began to fade, the tastes lost their savour, the sounds diminished.."Wait!!!" the senses called out. Come back. You can lead. We need you. And so the breath came back and took its proper place."
The breath is a function of the autonomous nervous system, and seems to be one of the simplest things in the world. Breath comes in, breath goes out. Like the beating of our heart, breathing is happening without us doing anything about it. Often we are not even aware of it, taking it for granted. In fact, the breath, not only is it a complex, miraculous function that is keeping us alive, it is also intricately connected to our mind. The way we breathe will affect the state of our mind, the quality of our thoughts and vice versa, the state of our mind will affect the quality and rhythm of our breath; how much we push, how much we let go, how much we grasp, how much we try to control, how much we are aware. How we breathe is a reflection of how we approach life, how we live our lives and how we react to the inevitable changes that life brings us.
In yoga, the practice of controlling the breath is called pranayama. Pranayama can have a cleansing, nourishing and balancing effect on our vital organs, nervous system and brain, and can help reduce stress, unclutter the mind and shift us into a mode of relaxed alertness. Because of its deep effects on a gross as well as on a subtle level, pranayama should be exercised with caution and precision under the guidance and supervision of an experienced teacher.
A very simple practice however, which is available to us anytime and is very effective, is to watch the breath. No yoga mat needed, no teacher. By simply focusing on the physical sensation of the breath, the thoughts automatically subside, the mind relaxes and the breath returns to its natural regular and harmonious rhythm. We become fully present in the moment and the space that is created in the mind allows for greater clarity, expanded awareness and sense of wellbeing.
Have you tried watching the breath?
When you watch the breath you leave behind the strength and the intelligence you use during the day. You just witness, without imposing, without judgment, without right or wrong. Just watching.
There are many moments during the day when you can observe the breath. Waiting at a traffic light, whilst cooking, when going for a walk, after a conversation, when you wake up, before going to sleep etc. Watch your natural breath for a minute or two, or even for a few seconds, and see what happens. Try it!
- Yoga Heart
