As we know, the basic principle of spiritual healing is that the soul being the divine Breath purifies, revivifies and heals the instruments of body and mind through which it functions.
Hazrat Inayat Khan, Vol. 1, Whence and Whither, p.171
This letter draws our attention to the breath - the very life in beings and crucial for our health, spiritual development and capacity for spiritual healing work. Although we have daily breathing practices still it is very helpful, from time to time, to refresh our attention to the breath.
Murshid tells us, “regular and rhythmic breathing gives health to body and mind both” and “breath is a key to concentration.” * He explains how, “the Sufi lays his beloved ideal in the swing of the breath. I remember my Murshid’s saying that every breath which is inhaled with the consciousness of the Divine Beloved is the only gain, and every breath inhaled without this consciousness is the only loss there is.” *
Reflection
Let us start by being curious about our breath. Notice the depth, volume, outreach and rhythm of our breath. Do we “breathe fully, in other words freely and deeply?” *
Then, let us try throughout the day to “be conscious of every breath.” * Notice when you have forgotten and gently bring your consciousness back to each breath. To help us remember, we can recall how some Sufis in the East take turns to remind themselves and the whole group by calling aloud, “‘Hosh bar dam’ meaning ‘Keep conscious of the breath.’” *
* Hazrat Inayat Khan, Volume 13, Gathas, Breath
With Loving Greetings from Shakti and Shamsher
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