B.E.T. Exercises 3

CHARGING THE HEART

There are two levels of breathing. The first is the level of air: oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc. On this level, the amount of air that you move in and out depends on muscular activity. With practice, you can develop the ability to "pump" a lot of air in and out of your lungs. In general, it is healthy and invigorating, but it can also be tiring because it requires effort.

There is another, more subtle level to breathing, and that is the level of energy. In India this energy is called prana. In Japan it is Ki. The Chinese call it chi. The ancient Greeks referred to it as Ruahk: "the breath within the breath." Our word spirit comes from the Latin and refers to the animating principle of life, vital energy, the life force. Practically every language uses the same word to refer to air or breath and to this notion of a primal Life Force.

It is important to know that you cannot muscle this energy in and out. It responds to consciousness. You move it with your mind. And with practice, a tremendous amount of energy can be drawn in and circulated through the body.

Since ancient times, the yogis have taught that this Energy, this Life Force, comes into us through the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. It can also be transmitted directly from one person to another, and shared through acts of love. This energy is also what enables karate experts to break bricks; it is how skinny old masters throw huge muscular opponents around a room.

But the same energy that is used to break a brick, can be used to mend a bone. The same energy that is used to throw an opponent to the floor, can be used to build up the immune system. This same energy, channeled in a different way, is responsible for the great masterpieces of the world. The great inventions and discoveries throughout history came about through people "inspired" by this creative life force. This same energy that was responsible for forming our bodies in the womb, is still available to heal and renew our bodies today.

I believe that the safest place to focus and accumulate this energy is in the heart--not the physical organ--but the energy center, the "heart chakra." This is the best point from which to rule our intellect and our instincts, to balance our head and our gut. The heart is our loving, caring center, it is the essence of who we are. It deserves to be fed and fueled!

You can fill your entire body with energy and light by practicing the following exercise:

Sit comfortably straight, or lie on your back. Take a few moments to tune into the breath and to relax. When you are ready, pull the breath consciously into the chest, deliberately filling your lungs. Give your inhale an "oohh" shape, as if sucking through a straw. You are feeding yourself energy, nourishing yourself with Life Force.

As you inhale, feel your chest expand in all directions: front to back, top to bottom, side to side. Fill yourself gradually, feeling the sensations in detail. Don't use any muscles you don't have to. Although it is air that we are breathing, it is the energy in the breath that we are really after.

You can use visualize light, electricity, your idea of Spirit, or any image that brings life to this idea of "breath energy" as you inhale. When you are full, or you have reached the point of strain or tension, release the breath a sigh of relief.

Take your time on the inhale. Savor the details of the experience. Let the exhales go quickly and completely without effort or force. Get on to the next inhale, and feel the expansion as if thru a magnifying glass and in slow motion.

Imagine that the breath is coming from the center of every cell in your body. As you inhale, you fill and expand beyond tension, beyond limits, breaking free into peace and power with every conscious breath!