Navigating Life’s Rhythms: Unveiling the Hidden Wisdom of Breath

 

For this 14th edition of The Distillation (formally the Joyful Sovereignty Weekly), my intention is to help ease your mind, knowing that it’s okay to be in one place in your life right now (and not the other).

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A significant chapter of my adult life was filled with discipline, standard operating procedures and hierarchal advancement.

This rigid environment was rooted from a need to have as much “figured out”, because oftentimes someone’s life could be on the line.

In 2018, my path changed directions entirely.

I was thrust into “surrender mode”, actively letting go of control of every aspect of life.

This was a huge shift and took many years to harmonize ingrained structure with more holistic approaches to life.

Over time, I noticed something.

Sometimes I’d be in complete control. I was clear in my direction and it felt good in my body.

While other times I’d be along for the ride. Letting go completely and open to whatever life was giving me.

Sometimes give.

Sometimes receive.

Sometimes create.

Sometimes consume.

Sometimes lead.

Sometimes follow.

At first, this inconsistency threw me off balance.

I wanted a clear answer that was applicable to this back and forth dynamic.

Eventually, the answer did come, and it was much simpler that I could have ever imagined.

It was a solution to the internal friction I had.

I was finally able to sit deep within myself with greater peace.

My mind was able to be at rest.

The answer: the breath.

When I’m a guest on podcasts, I’m often asked what is my go-to practice for shifting my energy.

My answer has been the breath.

In my most intense and chaotic moments, the breath was there for me.

If there was a lot of things happening, I would simply take a deep breath and a great mind would assume command.

This great mind was calm, collected and knew exactly what the next step was.

The breath cleared out the clutter (making room), and then I was able to breath in this great mind.

I was that great mind.

The breath is the gateway to clarity and peace.

The breath happens automatically, yet you can consciously breath at a different pace any time you want.

The breath is also the key to a regulated nervous system.

The breath is dynamic, so let’s discuss the back and forth (and why it’s important).

The inhales in life look like things going your way.

They feel like everything is lining up perfectly.

Like you can accomplish anything you set your heart and mind to.

This is what most would consider the “good stuff”.

There’s great aspects to this part of the breath.

It feels really good.

Expansion is active, full of energy.

It has direction and a clear focus.

But we can’t live here all the time. We need to eventually let go and release. Which is the exhale.

The exhale allows us to dispose of the air we no longer need in our body.

It creates space to allow fresh air to be breathed into the body.

The contraction is a place of rest.

It is required while in a human body.

The exhale is what activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which tells your body you’re safe and you can replenish resources within the body.

Note: Neither the inhale or the exhale is more important. They complement each other. They complete a cycle bigger than either individual.
The inhale is one way, the exhale is another.

One is back, the other forth.

The point isn’t to stay at any one place for too long.

The breath is beautifully dynamic, and since we live in a dimension with time, there’s another cool aspect to the breath.

Although you can pause at any capacity of your breath, the two distinct places is at full inhale and full exhale.

The stillness found at the top of the breath is ever expansive and full.

The stillness found at the bottom of the breath is peaceful and full of potential.

For those that have practiced breathwork, there is what is called the zero-point state that can be experienced in this moment of stillness.

I could explain it, but it’s best to experience it for yourself.

This stillness in some ways, is slowing down time. Or even being at a space where time doesn't exist as we know it.

When time slows down, we can notice more of what’s present.

The distractions and clutter are removed.

Clarity ensues.

It is also part of the breath that can be practiced and cultivated.

If you can get comfortable in this stillness, in the in-between, then you will be well prepared to calmly and consciously respond to life (and not react to it).

The breath is in a state of constant change. Flowing with the breath of life allows you to be dynamic and adaptive with your unfolding journey.

And you can influence the speed or cadence that feels most “good” in your body.

Some like a fast-paced cadence. While others like a slower, rhythmic approach.

And sometimes there’s chapters in life where the cadence seems off based on your preference. That’s okay, flow with it.

When running, the breath speeds up to account for the need of more resource.

When sleeping, the breath slows down to conserve energy and regenerate as needed.

You don’t have to think about any of these speeds, they automatically happen.

This is because your body and subconscious mind have taken over the work of that pattern.

So you don’t have to consciously think about it.

The conscious mind can only process 10-50 bits of information a second. While the subconscious mind can process 11 million bits of information a second.

Makes sense, because it would be a drag to have to consciously manage all the processes of your body and life.

There is more to be explored here, but the point is that if we welcome the dynamic-ness of the breath into all aspects of life, our subconscious mind will support us, so we don’t have to “think” our way through life.

We can fully immerse ourselves into our journey and flow with it.

The point of this article is to develop a simple yet universal concept to life.

A concept that can be applied to many areas of life, in a way a principle.

Yet, it needs some grounding.

Let’s make it practical.

Let’s make it actionable.

Look into your life and ask yourself if there’s a part that’s one way or the other.

It feels extreme to one side.

Maybe it’s a certain kind of relationship that has a level of intensity (passionate or conflict).

Maybe it’s related to your work, that’s it’s a lot of “something” right now.

Maybe it’s something in your mind, where you’re so focused on “one way”, yet you know there’s an other side that is just as important.

Understand that it is “one way” right now.

Rest easy knowing that the other side will balance out the one side.

Let’s ground it further.

When walking, which step is more important?

The left step?

The right step?

Of course they are both important, because they work foot in foot together.

You know that each step is part of a greater cycle.

Each step being exactly what it needs to be, so you can get to where you’re going.

That a “momentary imbalance” is actually part of a “dynamic stability” as you move / breath.

Upon reading this, take action on the following within the next 3 days. Spontaneously do it or put it in your schedule right now.

1. Go for a 10 minute walk (maybe in your neighborhood). Leave your phone at home.
2. While on your walk, focus on your breath. First the inhale, then the exhale. Notice which one is “better”. Playfully compete to see which one “wins”.
3. After a few minutes, place your attention on your feet. As the left foot hits the ground, how does it feel? When the right foot hits the ground, how does that feel? How do they work together?
4. If you’re feeling extra motivated, experiment with synchronizing your steps and your breath. There’s lots of ways to do it, so just try and see what happens.
5. Once you complete your walk, voice record any insights or write them down in your journal or in your notes on your phone.

BONUS POINTS: If you’re wanting more, during the walk, contemplate this article as you walk. Hold it loosely in your mind. Most likely, some kind of insight will emerge.

That’s it for this edition The Distillation.

Wish you a great rest of your day!

With Joyful Sovereignty,

Lane

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