Breathwork & Spirituality
Many people who attend in person breathwork sessions report having a deeply spiritual experiences. The words they use are different. Some say they are experiencing God’s love. Others say they are feeling the universe and a deep connections to all its beings. Some tap into guides and ancestors with important messages. Each experience is unique and hard to describe.
Breathwork & religion
While the practice of breathwork itself is not inherently religious, and has been adapted to suit the beliefs and values of many different religions. Spirituality can mean different things to different people. For some, spirituality may involve a connection to a higher power or divine source, while for others it may be about cultivating a sense of inner peace, purpose, meaning or deepening the connection with self.
For thousands of years cultures and different religions have incorporated breathing practices into spiritual practices. People are most familiar with the use of breathwork in eastern practices like yoga, pranayama, and qigong, as a means of purifying the mind and body, increasing energy flow, and promoting spiritual growth. For many people in modern society, their first experience connecting with their breath is often in a yoga class.
Breathing & the Bible
You probably already knew that yoga and qigong use breath patterns in their practice, however, did you know that early Christian monks used prayer to connect to God? Thessalonians tells of Christian monks who went out into the desert and discovered what the Bible calls, the “Jesus Prayer”, or “Prayer of the Heart”. This sacred prayer was used to connect to God.
The monks used their breath and a two phrase prayer. On the inhale they focused on the first part of the prayer. On the exhale, they focused on the second part of the prayer. The Christian monks said praying in this way helped them be in connection with God at all times because we breathe all the time. Thessalonians 5:17, St. Paul referred to breathing in this focused intentional way as “praying without ceasing”.
Imagine how you could enhance your spiritual journey by learning to focus on your breath?
How does breathwork enhance a spiritual journey?
Breathwork involves the use of specific breathing techniques to bring about a state of relaxation, increased oxygenation, euphoria and expanded awareness. This can help to release stored emotions, physical tension, and mental stress, allowing for deeper healing and connection.
Breathwork can be a tool for supporting any of these aspects of spirituality, without requiring a specific set of beliefs or practices. It can be a powerful tool for healing, self-discovery, and spiritual growth.
If you are interested in adding the Jesus Prayer to your practice, this is a good place to begin reading. https://uscatholic.org/.../breath-prayer-helps-you.../