There are millions of things outside of our control. The same event could happen to two different people, but the outcome of the result can vary. It’s not what happens to us that matters, but how we react is important. Think about how you react to various situations throughout your day.
Are you a reactive person? Are you calm and settled and not phased easily? One of the ways we can tap into controlling these reactions is to reflect inwards more often. By simply creating a state of awareness through meditation, mindful breathing, and yoga we learn how to simply observe. These observations good or bad can help us navigate challenging circumstances.
When emotions are high and we react based on instinct or from a state of protection - whether for ourselves, loved ones, or defending an idea or belief - our emotions tend to become wildfires. These wildfires are difficult to put out. Something that “blows up” is simply an emotion catching fire.
Through the process of meditation and cultivating awareness through mindfulness we can use our breath to calm our minds. Returning to the state of now. Allowing our breath to run through our minds calming, cooling, and putting out the fires we set. We have control over our emotions. How we react. What actions do we take?
If you find yourself to be a reactive person, see if you can spend more time in meditation. Become your own teacher. Witness the emotions and rage that come up when something sparks your attention. Go with it. See if you can use your mind to calm down, cool off, and settle your emotions.
Let’s begin by returning to the breath.
Close your eyes.
Place your focus on different areas of your body.
Starting with your fingers.
Guiding your attention all the way down to your toes.
Are you clenching your jaw?
Do you notice tightness or tension anywhere in the body?
Begin to take long deep breaths in and out through the nose.
Breathing in fully and deeply all the way until you can’t breathe in anymore air.
Pause for a few counts.
Exhale slowly out your mouth through pursed lips.
Exhale any stale energy.
Begin again.
Breathing in all the way.
Fill up.
Exhale soften and relax the body as you let go of any last breath.
Continue in silence for the next couple of minutes.
Slowly return to the awareness of the natural breath. How does your body feel after practicing conscious full breaths? What did you notice during this session? Were you relaxed or were you noticing discomfort in the body?
It’s natural to have thoughts during meditation. By continuing to practice again and again the return to the breath you will build a sense of awareness that you can carry with you throughout your day.