Breathing

Oxygenation is just one of the functions of breathing. The gentle movements of deep relaxed breathing also massage the viscera and fascia, freeing them of residual tension, and directed breathing concentrates energy in specific locations in the body (brain, crown, kidneys, heart, belly, soles, etc) so much so that these places can become centres of energy, i.e. take on an energetic life of their own. But perhaps most important of all is that the breathing connects me to a soft and langorous energy that abides eveywhere, but especially in Nature, which the Chinese call ch'i. The power of this energy lies not in gathering and hoarding it but in connecting to it and allowing its natural wisdom and intelligence to inform and direct my own processes. There are other energies besides ch'i (e.g. spirit) but none quite so feminine and pervasive. When we connect to it (relax into it) we connect to Nature on the level of her breathing. It is the deepest of foundations. We can resist it to highlight or foreground other aspects of our world or imagination or ego, but if we habitually (fearfully) do so we will always be haunted by the lack of a mother's love.