In our spiritual practice we generally work to move toward freedom from the unconscious impulses of our mental, emotional and physical selves (freedom in this case means breaking free of the “mechanical” / automatic responses to our thoughts, emotions, and impulses to act).
An important step towards freedom is the cultivation of self observation. The ability to observe ourselves from an objective, detached perspective, while we continue to go about our lives. For example, while writing this I am focused on writing and also aware of myself writing.
The perspective of self observation creates the opportunity to recognize when an impulse arises to act, think, or feel (in the sense of feeling an emotion). We can move toward freedom by breaking the direct link between these impulses and their manifestation in our action, thinking or feeling. This breaking of the link creates the possibility of the consciousness of choice. We may still continue with the action, thought, or feeling, but we have the freedom to choose.
An effective way to develop this break and insert choice is through our breath. When we become aware of an impulse, we can utilize half a breath to create the space for freedom. I’ve found that if I build the capacity / awareness to sense an impulse and then inhale, I can move into the place of free choice.
Initially it is challenging to sense the impulses as they first arise, but late is better than never, so even after moving into mechanical response the utilization of the “breath break” can open the possibility for conscious choice and the revision of thinking, acting or feeling. The best we can do is create the conscious break as soon as we are aware, and with diligence this moves closer and closer to the time of the initial impulse.
This is not something to be done only in meditation, but as an ongoing practice throughout the day, and life.
Freedom is in the magic of the breath of awareness.
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© 2011 Rick Ellis. All rights reserved. ricknotes.com
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