There have been times when spiritual life felt like holding my breath.
We do not want to upset anyone, to make anyone feel uncomfortable. We know what people expect of us and are careful to give them the right impression. We know what they want us to do or say. We know the answers we are supposed to give. Then someone gets a little too honest, gives a little too much information. We hold our breath.
We hope no one notices us, no one looks our way, no one asks for anything more. For that moment, spiritual life feels like it is about not getting caught.
When the moment passes, we exhale and begin to breathe again.
As we grow deeper and wiser, we open ourselves to the spiritual life all around us and in us. We become less concerned about meeting other people’s expectations. We recognize that healthy spiritual life is based in truth.
We lean our heads back, stretch out our arms, and fill ourselves with spiritual life and truth. We close our eyes, breathing deeply into our lungs. We breathe in until we can hold no more, then we breathe out, again and again.
Breathing is our first, most basic spiritual practice. We teach ourselves to let go of everything else, forgetting what distracts us. We listen to our own breathing. We smell the freshness of the air. We breathe mindfully, repeatedly filling our lungs with the air that gives us life. Spiritual life enfolds us as the air enfolds the earth.
There is no need for us to hold our breaths in fear.
What does the fresh air of spiritual life taste like for you?
When is the last time you took the opportunity to fill your lungs with spiritual life?
[Image by HockeyholicAZ]
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