A Pocket of Peace
by Janice Lynne Lundy
A Pocket of Peace is an intentional pause. It is a sacred opportunity to stop, let go of any emotional or physical duress we may be experiencing, and remember the inner peace that abides within us. When life threatens to overwhelm, when stress, fear, or worry come to call, simply stop, take a breath, and practice this Pocket of Peace. Doing so will bring you home to your truest self - a woman who is naturally calm, clear, and wise.

Everyone needs an oasis in the desert of life.
Your personal oasis is waiting for you.
When you find it, drink deeply of its cooling waters.
Relax in the shade of its sheltering palms.
Be satisfied.
Be well.

~~~~~~~

Cultivating A New Relationship with Our Breath
We have traditionally been told that we can calm ourselves by taking a deep breath. I don’t know about you but I’ve taken plenty of deep breaths during stressful times and it doesn’t seem to help. What does help is breathing out. The actual relaxation response associated with breathing comes with the exhale, not the inhale. It comes as we push stale carbon dioxide out of the body to make room for fresh new oxygen to come in. So, in order to calm ourselves, we need to make sure that our exhales are actually longer than our inhales. Counting to 6 while inhaling and counting to 8 while exhaling works well.

Place your hand upon your belly while taking measured breaths. This helps you experience the breath moving through you from a deeper place. Focusing on the chest area can cause rapid breathing, even anxiety. The belly, for women, is considered to be a power center. The area beneath our navel, below which lies our uterus, many believe to be the source of our body’s wisdom. The womb was our own source of life; our womb may have given life to others. Returning to this place of origination, focusing on it as the breath fills it, moves through it, can feel very centering and calming.

The breath, your breath, is sacred. The word, breath, actually comes from the source word spiritus—which translates as spirit. Cultivating a new understanding of breath as a spiritual gift, one that enlivens and nurtures us every day, can be life-changing. As you breathe intentionally for the purpose of inner calm, imagine that the Great Breath, the breath of the world, the Source of life itself, is breathing through you … calming you … restoring you to wholeness.

As you focus upon your breath, give thanks for it. This is a very calming action in itself. Your breath works effortlessly, day in and day out, to sustain and nourish you. It gifts you with precious life. Thank it for its generosity.

Inner calm is just a breath away. By following the pattern of your breath in this very moment, you need do nothing. Simply “Be.”

Until next time …

May you be happy.
May you be well.
May you be safe.
May you be peaceful and at ease.

Love and Blessings,
Jan Lundy

©Janice Lynne Lundy, 2008

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