Silence and Breath
The words for breath in the ancient languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin are also the words for Spirit:
Ruach, Pneuma, Spiritus
In the simple act of breathing, we are inhabited by God.
As we journey through this month together, each week will have a theme, focus, or specific practice.
This week, one minute at a time, I invite you to reconnect with your breath. Intentional breath. The kind of breathing we miss in our harried, busy lives, distracted by the ten thousand things.
This simple awareness touches us into the Great Silence of God like almost nothing else. A slowing of our inhalation, feeling it expand us from the inside out; an emptying exhalation that brings us to center as it releases. Cleansing, open, and restorative breathing is a foundation, a touchstone for our practice.
Yesterday was August 1st, and our practice began with one minute. As we practice this first week, I invite you to set a timer or an alarm with a gentle re-entry sound (I find this very important for my practice). Maybe a chime or singing bowl sound, or a quiet piece of instrumental music. Find yourself in a settled and alert posture, in a quiet room. The room itself doesn’t need to be completely silent– we are leaning into interior silence, not necessarily exterior silence– but being in a place with no distractions will facilitate your practice, especially at the beginning. I would also suggest you try to practice at approximately the same time each day to facilitate your desired routine.
In one minute, I count seven or eight breaths. These breaths are measured and full, with three to four counts on each inhale, and four to five counts on each exhale. Between these phases of breath there is a pause. This pause is important and allows us to touch in to our fullness after inhalation, and the emptiness of waiting before a new breath enters.
Notice your breath. Open to it without clinging. Count each one gently if you wish, but if you lose count just begin again without judgment. It’s the being present to your breath that matters, the physical awareness that keeps you in the moment.
There is no need to make this week’s practice “spiritual.” Breath is sacred by its very nature. As we are breathed by the Divine Breath, we are simply invited to receive. With each passing day (one minute, two minutes, three…) we are increasing our capacity for attention, for the Spirit’s presence, for silence.
Silence is a love language.
~Barbara Brown Taylor
Silence and deep, intentional breathing are kindreds. We will be exploring the spiritual benefits of silence in prayer and meditation throughout the month of August, but there are significant benefits to our bodies as well. The Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Medical School share some of these, if you’re interested in some of the research.
I have created a video breath meditation for you to guide your practice on day five, August 5th. It will bring me such joy to know that we are joining together in this way.
Guided Breath Meditation (introduction and 5 minutes of silence)
Password: dayfive
I would love to connect as you move through your week. Send me an email through my contact form here, use the tag #practicingsilenceaugust on Instagram, or tag me on Facebook (Christine LaFerrara Hiester).
Save the date! We will have a celebratory live Zoom call to celebrate our practice on Tuesday, August 31st from 7-8pm EDT. Stay tuned for registration link later in the month.
{A note about language: while I am a Christian, I do not assume that everyone joining me here finds a home in the same tradition. Our practices this month will be broad and applicable across faith traditions. My desire is for this journey to be a gentle and welcoming space for all.}
With deep heart-stillness and peace,