Breathe in the Love of God

Re: Connection

During my yoga practice today, a thought occurred to me to compare the yoga concept of Prana, the vital breath, with God's connection to Adam in the Garden of Eden—He "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life". As I practiced breathing, I visualized the air around me was a physical representation of God’s love for me. (Let that idea sink in.)

For those unfamiliar with the term, what is know to yogis as prana, the Chinese call chi, the Japanese qi, and the Egyptians ka. While prana is not exactly breath, air, or oxygen, this non-physical essential energy flows through and around the body and is responsible for your aliveness. In yoga, the concept of prana is very scientific. Prana means the original life force. — Prana: the Universal Life Force by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, published in Yoga Magazine, Zinal (Switzerland), September 1981

From an LDS perspective, we learn from King Benjamin of the Book of Mormon that every breath we take is a gift of love from God (Mosiah 2:21). With this in mind, “taking a breath” affords more than just physical benefits (E.g., increased blood circulation to the brain) but the spiritual, emotional, and mental benefits of recognizing the love of God in one's life. For me, breathing can be a symbol of accepting God into my life. Meaning, when I breath, I don't have to deal with my problems alone.

You'd better believe this new paradigm helped me take in fuller, more-connected breaths than usual throughout my yoga practice today. I love this symbol of connection because I don't have to wait until I'm practicing yoga to make this gesture of submission…I breath all the time. (See LDS Hymn #98, I Need Thee Every Hour.)

**The End**

Fun Challenge

Share your favorite quote about intentional breathing with this connection in mind.

E.g., What does this quote from The Twelve Enlightenments say about the perfect love of God?

Observe your own body. It breathes. You breathe when you are asleep, when you are no longer conscious of your own ideas of self-identity. Who, then, is breathing? The collection of information that you mistakenly think it’s you is not the main protagonist in this drama called the breath. In fact, you are not breathing; breath is naturally happening to you. You can purposely end your own life, but you cannot purposely keep your own life going. The expression, “My life” is actually an oxymoron, a result of ignorance and mistaken assumption. You don’t posses life; life expresses itself through you. Your body is a flower that life let bloom, a phenomenon created by life.”
― Ilchi Lee

Comforting Song Lyric:

Fly me up to where you are beyond the distant star. I wish upon tonight to see you smile, if only for a while to know you're there. A breath away's not far to where you are.
― Josh Groban, To Where You Are

Rummi-"CUB" vs. Rummi-"CUBE"

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RickFri Feb 10, 12:07:00 AM MST
This was a great post. The format feels like a First Presidency message from the Ensign. I almost expected a "Teaching from this message" section and a "For younger readers" section.

I think the imagery of breathing in the love of God with each breath is comforting. It is always happening, even if we are not aware. But as in yoga, it is important to make yourself aware each day so that you can find your divine center.

Well done!
HeatherFri Feb 10, 12:12:00 AM MST
Amy Grant - "Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Light up my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy"

Loved this insightful post, especially since I'm doing a little "relax" with the girls at bedtime. You're a great writer - thanks for sharing.

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