Pause and Breathe

      

By Shajen Joy Lichtenstein-Aziz, M.Ed., M.A.

As the Dalai Llama said, “The ultimate creator is the human mind," and in order to begin to discover your gifts you must pay special attention to your internal thoughts, your energy, your heart and inner wisdom and your voice. Allowing yourself to be guided by your source, the heart, instead of your rational mind is an important way to begin to access your inner core.  Michael Bernard Beckwith teaches us that our thoughts are mental energy and Terry Tillman acknowledges that energy follows thought, so with that knowledge, and as seekers of our Gifts we need to be cognizant of these lessons and allow our minds to relax and our hearts to lead the way.    Every choice we make creates an energetic vibration that flows into the Infinity Feedback Loop. This constant flow of energy is always in motion, never stagnant.  Simply said, each small choice we make plants the seed that will later blossom and bear fruit. Therefore it becomes imperative that one becomes conscious of what seed you are planting.    If you have an expectation to harvest the fruits that will feed your family and uplift humanity and create a beneficial presence on the planet then the seeds of love, joy, bliss, peace, harmony, understanding, and compassion will bear much different fruit than the seeds of cynicism, resignation, despair, anger, anguish, rage, fear, doubt, or plain old non -stop worry.    As a wise person once said, “fear, doubt, and worry are interest you pay on a debt you don’t owe”.    What we must do is become aware of our thoughts and thought processes because there are no neutral thoughts. Becoming deliberate and purposeful with our thoughts and actions creates awareness of our presence and the present. One simple and effective way to get there is to pause and breathe.    Breathwork brings oxygen to your mind and body and helps you relax. This state of calm opens up internal channels in your being which you are unable to tap into during the regular hustle and bustle of your lives. As with anything the more you practice this the easier it will become and the faster you will get into this relaxed calm state.   • THE 4x4 BREATH PRACTICE • Please take four deep breaths, and with each breath: • 1. Count to four as you inhale through the nose. • 2. Count to four as you hold the breath. • 3. Count to four while you exhale through your mouth. • 4. Do this four times total.   • How do you feel? Calmer? Relaxed? Empowered? • Frustrated? Foolish? Disappointed? • Just remember that you do not have to think about accomplishing anything with this exercise. It’s just a good practice and hopefully you’ll be able to use it to relax, focus, and reconnect. with yourself. The most important piece about breath is that it brings oxygen to all parts of our bodies and awareness to our presence.   Take four deep breaths. Count to four as you inhale through the nose, now hold it for four seconds, now exhale thru your mouth for four seconds. Put the book down and do this simple breath practice four times – How do you feel? Calmer? Relaxed? Empowered?   Babies know how to breath, they start in their bellies then the side ribs and then the chest. In my family we have always referred to this practice as a YOGA breath. So try the practice one more time except this time before you do your breath practice hold your breath for as long as you can. Inhale for a count of four seconds and hold. did you hold your breath for a minute?    The average person lasts about fifteen seconds – what does that tell you about breathing? Breath is life… life is Breath. Remember Pause and Breathe as often as you can; you are worth it.   Love, Shajen Joy Lichtenstein-Aziz, M.Ed., M.A. Award-Winning International Best-selling Author, Educator, Counselor Discover Yourself ~ It's Why I'm Here  https://www.discoverthegift.com https://www.alivingcurriculum.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/shajen-cheyenne-joy-aziz-m-ed-m-a-35053715/ Discover The Gift - It's Why We're Here ~ Published in 28 countries and 26 languages Author and Co-creator  WATCH THE MOVIE ->  GAIA https://www.gaia.com/video/discover-gift AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Gift-Shajen-Joy-Aziz http://amzn.to/1qCX2Qa