Question on the square breath, dimensions, and elements

March 26th, 2008

Hello and good day to all,
I would like to ask something about the square breath pattern. In the different dimensions (elements) of the heart. We use different points of inhalation and exhalation. How about in the Square Breath? Do we use only the nose for both inhalation/exhalation, or we follow what is in the companion cd of EYH to breathe in and out both from the nose and mouth together? Is there any benefit if we use the square breath pattern for each of the dimensions (elements) instead of just using the swing breath pattern?Live long and prosper,Christopher Go

Dear Christopher,There is a difference between the 4 elements, described in Living from the Heart, and the 4 dimensions, described in Energize Your Heart. The four elements (earth, water, fire, and air) are four primary forms of energy, which exist in varying degrees in everything and every being. (There is also a ‘meta-element’, called ether, which is a more abstract form of energy, more like an energetic potential, which can become any of these four elements.) Through our intention, attention, and method of breathing, we can attune ourselves to each of these forms of energy to achieve certain ends, such as bringing out and developing the qualities of our hearts, changing the form of energy in our minds or bodies, and so on.The four dimensions of the heart (vertical, horizontal, forward, and inner), are a framework we use to assess the state of development of our hearts, emotionally and energetically. Our hearts are continually growing, yet the growth tends to be uneven, in the same way that a baby may go through different stages of development, such as getting teeth, learning to crawl, learning to talk, and so on. Usually, one of these challenges is big enough to work on at one time. Our hearts long for growth, and so they create in our lives the conditions which take us to the next step of our development. Our work is to assist in the heart’s growth, by giving the heart the attention and power it needs to grow.Heart Rhythm Meditation is a great way of energizing the heart so that it can grow in exactly the way you are longing for right now; using the four elements is one tool we have of developing the dimensions of the heart. Yet we have many other tools as well: the Exercises for Life, Recognizing Greatness, and practices such as the Widening Breath, the Streaming Breath, the Rhythmic Breath, and others. As you mention, the Square Breath is also one of these tools; it involves breathing in for 8 heartbeats, holding the breath for 16 beats, and breathing out for 8 beats. We recommend doing the Square Breath through the nose.What would be really helpful for you, Christopher, would be the guidance of one of our trained mentors. These skilled meditators have been trained in Heart Rhythm Meditation and the mentoring process we have developed; their job is to assess your heart’s development and qualities and give you specific practices which will help you overcome the challenges unique to your situation.love,Puran and Susanna

Entry Filed under: The Heart, Meditation