I created an online breathwork course
HERE
so I thought I’d write a blog explaining a little more about the philosophy and process I use in my teaching to help people go deeper in their practice and better understand my framework.
I am deeply influenced by the yogic and Buddhist tantric traditions and according to these spiritual schools, a person is made up of multidimensional bodies. There are different variations within the traditions, but the model I use is based on the five bodies represented as the
physical, emotional, mental, energetic and spiritual bodies.
These ‘bodies’ make up what it is to be human and although in reality they form an inseparable whole, in practice it is very useful to divide them up and practice them separately. Each body is like a field of intelligence with which you are either aligned or not.
The two main functions of my breathwork classes are to clear the stress and blockages within each of these fields and to tune into the inherent wisdom within those bodies. Traditional teachings often speak of this as a purification process, but I prefer the term transformation.
Physical transformation
By using breathing techniques that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, a person can intentionally transform their nervous system into a calm and relaxed state, making the body a safe and enjoyable place to be in, allowing you to fully appreciate the circumstances of the present moment. embody.
This is vital for people who struggle with meditation and who often neglect this first and essential step of calming the body. Because of the strong mind-body connection, it can make meditation nearly impossible if your body’s nervous system is in flight/fight/freeze mode. If your body is agitated, nervous, and full of chemical reactions that drive you to fight, flight, or freeze in fear, it’s no wonder you can’t stay calm or focus the mind during meditation.
Some great techniques that can be used on a physical level include a wide range of deep, slow diaphragmatic breathing exercises, box breathing or cadence breathing techniques that have been proven to activate the relaxation response in your nervous system and transform your body from anxiety. and hyper-vigilant to a joyful, calm, safe place.
Emotional transformation
Then, after successfully activating the relaxation response in the nervous system, you can also use breathwork to clear emotional disturbances such as anger or jealousy and transform the emotional body into a field of love and compassion.
Being in an open, grateful and loving space has enormous benefits for your health. The healing power of love is well documented in scientific studies and has its roots in ancient spiritual practices.
The harmful effects of holding on to anger and resentment have been shown to be linked to weakening the immune system, compromising your ability to fight disease.
One of the most powerful Buddhist meditation practices is known as Tong-len, a breathing and visualization technique that envisions removing the suffering of others, transforming the ego into love, and sharing that love with the world. Essentially, Tong-len breathing means giving and receiving, and that is exactly what each breath is. It is this giving and receiving, the literal mutual exchange of energy that helps strengthen and connect with a healthy emotional body.
The Dalia Lama himself teaches numerous variations on this technique, one of which he teaches is “breathing in; to love yourself completely, exhale; to love others completely.”
These types of loving-kindness breathing exercises can quickly transform your emotional body from limitation and pain to the open spaces of love and freedom. It can be challenging at first to fully love and forgive others, especially those who have hurt you, but it has a hugely transformative effect on your emotional body and helps release past trauma and resentment. Breathwork classes are a safe and supportive space to practice with an open mind and explore the effects of these techniques.
Mental transformation
The mental body that Western psychology just calls the mind is transformed from distracted, agitated and confused to focused, calm and clear.
The classical Buddhist practice of mindfulness of the breath is a perfect example of this level of practice, but as I mentioned, calming the nerves and expanding your field of love also helps you focus the mind.
There are numerous techniques you can use at this level, such as counting breaths, mentally repeating a mantra, or paying close attention to the four aspects of breathing (inhale, pause, exhale, pause). This type of mental focus is also incorporated into all other breathing exercises as you train your mind to stay on technique and not get distracted.
Learning to just pay attention to your breath without controlling it is also a brilliant way to practice non-reactionary observation skills that help develop clarity and the wisdom that reacts rather than reacts. Transforming what meditators call the “monkey mind” into an “awakened mind” rooted in silence.
Energy transformation
As we move down or through subtler layers of our being, we come to the energy body. This is the level at which energy healers such as acupuncturists, reiki and pranic healers work and it is essentially the underlying morphic field that supports the integrity and form of the physical body. Yoga and tantra also make extensive use of this system for healing and personal transformation.
A healthy subtle energy body moves and flows through thousands of ‘channels’ in the body and gathers, but still moves through the chakras. An unhealthy subtle energy body has blockages and is stagnant, which can cause discomfort. When the energy body holds trauma from the past, it is called the pain body by Eckhart Tolle.
The technique I use for this level of transformation is a Tibetan tantric practice called Tummo, which means inner fire or inner light. This practice, promoted by practitioners as the fastest path to enlightenment, uses the breath and visualizations to connect with subtle energy. This practice can help develop a blissful connection with subtle energy and clear blockages and past traumas.
Tummo is also associated with developing an inner fire that reportedly allowed practitioners to survive in snowy mountain areas with barely any clothing. Expert practitioners in Tibet would demonstrate their skill in this technique by drying wet sheets placed over their bodies in icy conditions. (Read more about Tummo
HERE)
Consciousness transformation
Finally, the deepest level of breathwork or any spiritual practice is connecting with your true Self. At this level it’s all about identity. Identifying with the temporary conditions of your body, mind or culture creates an ego that seems very real, but is in fact a fabrication. The spiritual body that is the fundamental basis of your being is known by many names, but essentially boils down to being a limitless type of consciousness or awareness.
This deepest level is different from the mental body which is localized and arises from interactions between the brain, senses and a perceived object. The deepest level of consciousness is non-local and limitless, just like space. Often it is described as heavenly and transcends conceptual categories because it can never be perceived by consciousness because it is consciousness itself.
Being ‘heaven-like’, this deepest level is not transformed in any way. It is known as eternally present and already whole and complete. What has been transformed is the ignorance of not recognizing this consciousness as your true self.
This spiritual body or field is open, clear and without borders or boundaries. The experience of connecting with the spiritual body is often described as a mystical state of Oneness or a union with all that is. In yoga terms, the culmination of breathwork or pranayama is union with universal consciousness.
One way I practice this in my breathwork classes is to sit in this open field of awareness after every other technique. After each clearing or purification of each body, you can rest in the space that remains and use it as a gateway to this ultimate dimension of consciousness.
Sitting in this space, without trying to produce or transform anything, you can discover the embodied wholeness that is already present and already complete. This is a Zen-like practice that works brilliantly after calming the nervous system, increasing love or clearing energy blockages. In fact, in the gradual systems of Tibetan Buddhism, all these previous practices are seen as preparations or preparations for this ultimate Self-consciousness.
In addition to simply sitting in wholeness, I also use ‘heaven breathing’ to help you connect with the limitless and heavenly dimensions of your true self. This is a simple breathwork technique that dissolves the boundaries between the inner and outer worlds, allowing the practitioner to discover limitless possibilities.
If you would like to take my online breathwork course, you can learn more about it and register
HERE.
Written by Chad Foreman
Chad Foreman is the founder of The Way of Meditation and has been teaching meditation since 2003, determined to bring authentic meditation practices into the lives of millions of people in the modern world. Chad is a former Buddhist monk who lived in a retreat hut for six years and studied and practiced meditation full-time. He now has over twenty years of experience teaching meditation. Chad likes regularly
Meditation retreats on the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Online meditation coaching, provides three online programs –
The 21 Day Meditation Challenge to gradually guide people from the basic principles of mindfulness and relaxation to profound states of consciousness.
Breathwork
to help manage stress and go deeper into meditation and
The bliss of inner fire
This is a Buddhist tantric method to clear energy blockages and connect with the clear light of bliss. You can also get Chad’s free ebook now Insights on the go.