There may be nothing quite as delineating between our conscious and unconscious being as our breath. Certainly, for many, our breath from moment to moment has always been and currently is a relatively unconscious act. But what if that all changed? What if our breath became more conscious?
The first step would be to fully devote ourselves to this essential life practice – all in. Does it make sense to make our breath practice the priority above all other human desires? Could our, so simple breath, be the very foundation for healthy choices, pleasant life experiences, and ultimate fulfillment? Could our breath be the catalyst that promotes depression, anger, and resentment, or conversely joy, bliss, and ecstasy?
Tulsi Leaf
It requires minimum expenditure to obtain energy from our breath, yet it provides infinite life force. It helps create the sentient space between our thoughts and emotions. It is the superfood to “being more and doing less.” Volatile thoughts and emotions destabilize our breath. Conversely, our deep, stable breath has the ability to harmonize our entire system. Conscious calm breath sets the foundation for intuitive decisions, and unconscious anxious breath initiates foolish paths. Yet it is the intentional breath that may prevail immediately after the foolish act, which gracefully allows for a valuable lesson to be consciously realized.
Close your eyes and quiet your mind to intentionally experience the stabilizing energetic force that is present in every moment of our lives that we call breath. It is constantly giving and receiving, gasping and letting go, inhaling and exhaling. Observe how an intentional breath gently calms our bellies and disperses any stress in the upper chest area. Now witness how a slow deep breath aerates our lungs, finely tunes our spinal column, and nourishes our core power. Realize the conducive nature of our breath connecting us with the immense power of mother nature, space, and the universe.
Loquat Leaf
How can we help calm our breath? We breathe deeper, cleaner, and calmer when we drink the plant medicine provided by mother nature. The herbs clear blockages and promote circulation which allow the breath to heal and nourish us. The Tulsi or Holy Basil, known as the Elixir of Life, is a daily tonic for the stability of the breath. Tulsi is known to calm, deepen, and bring awareness to our breath. The Loquat leaf cleans and opens the chest cavity and lungs to remove any blockages that may inhibit a calm breath from circulating freely. And comfrey initiates that critical “everything is going to be OK” deep breath that miraculously acts to help heal bones, ligaments, and tendons. The profound relationship between herbal medicine and conscious breathing is experienced clearly as we inhale the magical air in our gardens, feel the serenity of our plant nursery, and enjoy the healing powers in every cup of tea.
Comfrey Leaf