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A confession: I Feel Rich

August 26, 2022 Leave a Comment

I feel an astounded greatfulness that for the rest of my life I get to enjoy just the simple pleasures of being in a body, its breathing, its movements…  I get to enjoy the sounds of the rain, of the wind, of my cats breathing… because I can hear them more now. 

I notice that I rush less, through the routine simple tasks necessary for physical existence like preparing food, doing dishes… to get to a better time, some entertainment…

This annoyed me, that annoyed me… I’d have to go and change it… I‘ve noticed that I fix less, that I worry about getting things the way I want them a little less, the panic and annoyance is still there but so is breathing, existence, so I can be a little more lazy…

I like that when another turns up into my company that I get to receive them on top of my existence – I can play a little more, I can ask for what I want a little more… I’ve noticed that I get to have more interesting, more humorous conversations because being just a little less afraid of space I get to take the time to think more and feel more, I can ask different questions and our conversations can travel more. And when they leave, I get to reflect more now…  

I get to breathe while anxiety, that I still don’t understand, trundles on and some days… on… I get to breathe through disappointment, hurt, doubt, jealousy, greed… I’m a little less convinced that it will consume me

I feel very rich that I get to enjoy the rest of my time here enjoying and some days, just breathing through, the most simple aspects of human existence. I can see that it’s encouraged to have lots of activity – responsibilities, projects, entertainments… and then this capacity may never get developed…   

Meditation is not difficult and it costs nothing but its worth more than winning lotto – because more money for better experiences means nothing if I’m just desperately on to the next… these are all very very small things, but in the experience of a human life they mean an immense and easy richness. 


Who wrote this piece? Tushita Mystery School blogs are written by a number of Students at the Tushita Hermitage. Their anonymity supports their self-forgetting practice.

Filed Under: Blog, Breathing, Meditation Tagged With: breath

Something as Natural as Breathing

February 14, 2021 Leave a Comment

IAM Breathing RetreatsIt’s kind of funny that over time modern humans have created retreats for something as natural as breathing. But come to think of it, even a newborn baby isn’t left to his/her own devices for its first breath. Think of your own breathing right now.

How does your breath behave this moment?

How does it move in your body? Is it regular and deep? Do you sometimes hold it throughout the day? Do you notice how you start changing it when you put your attention to it?

The first thing you might realise, is that you’re often not even that aware of your breath or breathing patterns. It has a life of its own. But that doesn’t mean it is fully functioning and serving your body, mind and mood in an optimum way. This is because there are many moments during growing up when our breath is interfered with, mainly through stress and anxiety. Without instruction on how to wisely deal with those traumatic instances, we create unconscious coping mechanisms, often involving the way we breathe. We might start breathing more shallowly or hold our breath at regular intervals without noticing.

Read: A student of Tushita tells how IAM Breathing has helped with Relaxation and Strength in their body.

Are you aware of your breath or breathing patterns?

When you start becoming more aware of the way you might be breathing throughout the day, you’ll quickly realise it might be a good idea to learn a thing or two about it. And to take some time out to focus on your breathing patterns and learn some good techniques for optimum oxygenation. Awareness, exercises, habit release are a powerful mix to improve how you feel and how your body functions. And when the body functions as it should, all kind of ailments seem to magically disappear. Cleared by oxygen, relaxation and understanding.

Here’s a great account of a student’s practise with deep breathing.

You’re always carrying your breath with you

As a bonus, your breath becomes more of an anchor during day-to-day stresses and upheavals we all experience. You’re always carrying your breath with you. In the words of Yanchiji, living spiritual master and renunciate founder of the Tushita Hermitage and Tushita Mystery School,

“Breathing is our most vital bodily intimacy with Life. We do not have to make it up. No ego required. Only the ego thinks it makes something, that it creates something. Music and poetry and inspiration and wisdom and intelligence and beauty and energy are already in Life; we do not make those “things” but we can express them, we can transmit them.”

 


Who wrote this piece? Tushita Mystery School blogs are written by a number of Students at the Tushita Hermitage. Their anonymity supports their self-forgetting practice.

Filed Under: Breathing Tagged With: breath

Relaxation & Strength – I Am Breathing

February 14, 2021 Leave a Comment

Relaxation and Strength - How IAM Breathing has helped meI attended a weekend IAM Breathing Retreat in July 2020 for the purpose of getting motivated to restart a daily practice after having a three week flu episode.
I had been struggling to achieve a breath hold for longer than a minute. Other issues in my body were a chronic cough (20 years) and extreme tightness in my chest, shoulders… actually all over.
One of the facilitators said:
“You need to relax.”
Well I thought I knew that but in the moment I committed to his words and that is what made and is making the difference.
I have incorporated a mantra into the breathing meditation using “RE” on the inbreathe and “LAX” on the outbreath. I also use this when I notice that I am stressed or when the cough throat tickle is noticed.
The other teacher made a comment that she uses the Cold Immersion to give her “strength” to help her with the conditions involved in her life as a Student at Tushita Heart Hermitage.
That statement resonated with where I was at and I now celebrate the “strength” I am building that enables me to enjoy the cold immersion practise.
Trusting in the experience and guidance of the teachers and committing to the sequence of breathing, meditating and cold immersion was and is now invaluable for my physical and emotional health and gives me the strength and courage to be True to Myself.
Read: Animal Enjoyment through Air and Water – another firsthand account from a practising student of Tushita Mystery School.

Have a look at all upcoming 2023 retreats here.

Read more on how oxygen and healing correlate.

Who wrote this piece? Tushita Mystery School blogs are written by a number of Students at the Tushita Hermitage. Their anonymity supports their self-forgetting practice.

Filed Under: Breathing Tagged With: breath

Remembering Animal Enjoyment Through Air and Water

February 13, 2021 Leave a Comment

Animal EnjoymentEach day, for 10 months, I have been practicing deep breathing (as taught on IAM Breathing Retreats at Tushita Mystery School) and having cold showers or plunging into the river.

Here is what I have learnt so far in a nutshell:

The practices expose a lack of wonder at existence. A lack that causes me to want faster, quicker material satisfaction.

I’ve been slowly remembering animal enjoyment through air and water.

What else?

Breathing exercises take a while

3 rounds is around 15 minutes, and should be done 2 hours after food. Plus time must be made for cold water swims, and both are better done slowly and enjoyably (unlike shoving down food, or getting a shower over and done with).

Each practise has difficult aspects

Breath takes energy and immersing in cold water is shocking. When there is resistance to the practices it exposes the difficultly I have with slowing down and being present: when there is wonder at existence there is no need to rush on to the next thing and no need to avoid uncomfortable sensations.

It’s difficult. Plunging into cold rivers and having cold showers all winter goes with lots of screaming:

“Why am I doing this stupid thing??!”

Yet doing such acts flies in the face of being tame, controlled, and predictable. Yes, warm is cosy – but cold is exhilarating – and given our brief existence, I choose exhilaration.

Read: Relaxation & Strength – another student’s account of IAM Breathing.

My practice is not perfect

During breathing the back of my head rubs and the hair knots, the blankets sit on my throat choking it, the cold water is always cold, I forget my towel, I can’t be bothered…

Some people boast saying they breathe twice as long as me and I exaggerate by saying I do more cold than others.

I need to blow my nose in the middle of breathing and am considering which sandwich fillings are best during the breath hold but – whether it’s the frustration exposed during the practices or whether it is the air and water itself – humour has built in my body and laughter often arises!

Breathing and cold water is addictive

I look forward to feeling my lungs pump full of air, strange sensations in the hands (they curl up sometimes) and the sublime stillness when the lungs, which usually work constantly, rest.

I don’t know why the cold is incredibly addictive… but it is: while the shock is always hard, the bone, skin, muscle-freeze feels amazing.

I do the breathing exercises with other people every so often, and the wonderful result is being with people in a soft way, without incessant talking.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The result…

I have found from these practices is valuing this existence, this body, the water and this breath. The result is clarity, softness and strength, and a slowing down that gives the space to learn about the body and watch the crazy mind.

The result is smoother, less dry skin, a more alkaline body, and deeper breathing which strengthens the immune system.

Here’s more on oxygen and healing.

Finally, each day I get to see my naked body in the river, and during the breathing, feel my full lungs and rested body.


Who wrote this piece? Tushita Mystery School blogs are written by a number of Students at the Tushita Hermitage. Their anonymity supports their self-forgetting practice.

Filed Under: Breathing, Cold Therapy Tagged With: breath

On Oxygen and Healing

February 1, 2021 Leave a Comment

On Oxygen and Healing - how the IAM Breathing Method has helped me to healI’m not attracted to organised exercise but when I was introduced to the IAM Breathing Method over a year ago, I recall thinking – I can do this at least.

I’ve done the breathing and breath holding (mostly) twice a day since and value it greatly.

Breathing practice is not new to me; however adding the mild stress of breath-holding, which activates natural healing functions in the body, has brought unexpected benefits. It seems oxygen and healing go hand in hand:

  1. A rash and upper lung damage caused by radiotherapy nineteen years ago are healing.
  2. Lymphatic problems caused by long-ago surgery are improving.

From the outset, I’ve appreciated the brief cold water exposure, finding it aids circulation and joint inflammation. I also feel a lift in energy, flexibility and well-being.

For me the IAM Breathing Method is a simple, undemanding and ongoing gift.

Read: Relaxation & Strength – another IAM Breathing personal account.


Why is Oxygen Important for Healing?

  • Oxygen & Disease: As the fuel for cells to function properly, oxygen is necessary for every process in the body. Studies find that low oxygen plays a role in both underactive and overactive immune responses, making us both vulnerable to infection and to chronic autoimmune conditions such as arthritis.
  • Oxygen & Energy: Fatigue is becoming the normal state for human adults around the world, leading to ever-growing dependence on stimulants such as coffee, energy drinks and sugar, which can in turn lead to further fluctuations in energy, exacerbate anxiety, disturb sleep patterns and promote dependence on sedatives such as alcohol to ‘switch off’. In comparison, oxygenating the body promotes an energized body and alert mind that unlike the whizzy hyperness of caffein or sugar, the mind is calmed and you feel a sober groundedness in the body.
  • Oxygen & The Brain: Taking about a fifth of our oxygen, more oxygen has been shown to stimulate brain activity, boost alertness, concentration and increase memory capacity.
  • Oxygen & Life: Becoming more aware and in tune with your breathing is a wonderful practise in becoming more connected with the very life of you. This article on Something as Natural as Breathing goes into more detail.

Who wrote this piece? Tushita Mystery School blogs are written by a number of Students at the Tushita Hermitage. Their anonymity supports their self-forgetting practice.

Filed Under: Breathing Tagged With: breath

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