Breathing is like an automatic – or essentially automatic – bodily function that proceeds on its own but which we can also change voluntarily. While it is impossible to decide how fast we would like our heart to beat, anyone can change the rhythm and depth of breathing. Changing breathing can, in turn, reduce or increase sympathetic nervous system activity, triggering either fight-or-flight response or the relaxation response. Learning to notice your breathing pattern and being able to change it from tension producing to relaxation producing is one of the most crucial – and simplest – mind/body skills.
Whenever you are caught up in anxiety, you can break the cycle by shifting into abdominal breathing. Once you have mastered it, it works anywhere, anytime. Remember, take a deep breath and let it go with a sigh of relief.
Question – Is visualization safe?
Answer – Visualization is a natural, universal and spontaneous phenomenon of mankind and serves as a basis of perception. Any visual image that can be created can be eliminated, since the image is the product of brain function. Therefore, frightening images can be modified, and positive, self-affirming images can be enhanced.
Question – What if I don’t come out of the state of relaxation?
Answer – It is impossible that you will stay in the completely relaxed state as defined in the terms of the relaxation session. There may be times when you reorient to the waking state at a time later than you had planned.
Question – What do I do about wandering thoughts?
Answer – At first it seems as though your mind is jumping around from one thought to another. The important thing is to simply keep bringing your mind back to the image without criticism, without judgement and simply continue.
Sit comfortably but with your spine straight. Close your eyes and begin to breathe deeply and gently. Feel your feet down into the centre of the earth. You can invite love-energy to flow up from mother earth, or down from the top of your head as you choose.
Continue to breathe gently and freely as you allow the release of tension from all body parts to go deeper and deeper. When you feel as relaxed as you possibly can be, send love into all of your body and bless it. You can say statements to yourself like these: This is the Creator’s breath. Every particle of this body is Creation.
Turn more deeply away from the awareness of your body and into awareness of mind. Unify with any thoughts you notice, and relax your thinking mind. Love and bless your thoughts. They will probably continue, but you will be taking your concentration deeper and will not notice them. Turn still more deeply away from the awareness of mind, into the awareness of feeling. Send love to any feelings you notice, no matter what they may be. Turn still more deeply into the awareness of your spirit. Ask your inner Self to assist you in your process.
Tune into the inner love, light and wisdom – it is being poured out into you now. When you feel that you have gone as far as you are ready to go for today, sit in the silence and enjoy your ascended state. Come back gently, bringing back your awareness of feeling and mind, body and environment, breathing deeply and energetically. Come all the way back to full alertness and objectivity.