Now and again, it is necessary to seclude yourself among deep mountains and hidden valleys to restore your link to the source of life. Breathe in and let yourself soar to the ends of the universe; breathe out and bring the cosmos back inside. Next, breathe up all fecundity and vibrancy of the earth. Finally, blend the breath of heaven and the breath of earth with your own, becoming the Breath of Life itself. ~ Morihei Ueshiba.
One of my favorite yoga instructors, Sharon Wentz, recently shared this quotation during class. The past couple of weeks life has been a bit more stressful than usual, and the sentiment behind these words enveloped my mind when it needed it most. With each breath we are given an opportunity to release, renew and restore ourselves. I found comfort in the thought of secluding my mind and imaging my presence deep within a New Mexican cave with a little fire to stare in to (other settings work just as great, of course). This image allowed my mind to calm down, release the stressors I was clutching and embrace a sense of lightness, space and opening. We are all a part of the Universe, a piece in its infinite puzzle, breathing in with a sense of individualism and breathing out with a sense of unity and oneness.
Today was miraculous. It was one of those days where every moment I could feel my heart smiling; full of joy, gratitude and light. The stressors I mentioned in the previous paragraph evaporated completely as I spent the afternoon with incredible people, soaking up every ounce of perfect sunshine as it radiated into each and every pore of my body. Even in this juxtaposed moment of bliss, I thought of this need for seclusion. The need to restore my link to the source of life, this time with a focus on gratitude, rather than grounding. Feeling the heat seep into my skin, listening to the sounds of laughter and joy, I felt myself soaring to the ends of the universe and breathing it all in. I held that feeling inside me like a treasure, and as each moment passed another treasure entered my Soul. This life we live, each moment of it, is a treasure. A gem to be appreciated for what it is.
So during stressful times, moments of pure joy or anywhere in between, I hope you find this idea of mental seclusion and powerful breath grounding and gratifying. Allow it to provide comfort and gratitude, regardless of how you're feeling when you start. Restore your presence in the Universe, and in your Self.
