Right Action: Breathing Peace

On our continued journey of the Eightfold Path (to happiness J), I got to thinking about a key ingredient often pondered ~ breath as life. Without beloved breath we would not be alive, breath is our sustainer, oxygenator, the renewer of our entire systems. Breath feeds our organs, our muscles, our beautiful brains… and if we go longer than a few minutes without it, we cease to function.

It’s a fascinating discovery to look at how breath has played a central role in world religions. Christianity being a major religion in many households, we might remember the famous story of Jesus, having been crucified and buried, mysteriously appearing to the disciples with the following appeal, “Peace be with you…” When he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

How might it be to contemplate breath as a holy spirit which transmits peace and informs our actions?

In practicing mindfulness and the Eightfold Path (noted above), breath is paramount—the active ingredient which leads to concentration and insight. Breath is the holy spirit….

Breath, the Cornerstone
©2018 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

In…out
deep…slow.
I am peace,
love,
compassion,
peace.

Tie the silver cord and depend on it,
bob through ocean’s cresting waves:
In…out
deep…slow.
Below mind’s frenzied kinetics
resides abiding calm.

Peace
received.

Open Wide and Say, “Ahhhhhhh”

May theme of “Open” has been rich and full with the month’s culmination being a move into new Studio space for our practice community to enjoy and grow into. Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community (LTMC) has actively beautified the new location, helping the amazing night owls Crissy Jory and her husband Jobe in packing, unpacking, scrubbing, patching, painting, pressure washing, taking down signs, equipment, lights, putting up shelves, stenciling and more. An enormous thank you to everyone for their sweat, muscle, creativity, love, care and devotion. We are opening, opening and opening some more.

This morning, I read a poem by Thich Nhat Hanh and this line touched me….

“If you ask me how much do I want,
I’ll tell you that I want it all.
This morning, you and I
And all men and women
Are flowing into the marvelous stream
Of oneness.”

May’s invitation is to open to new experiences, new spaces and deepen our practices. There is no limitation to the love, support, care and service we offer to our South Lake Tahoe community—we want it all—we are busting out like Spring time! Our sweet little Lotus Room has a new pond in which she’s growing, please come join us.