Listen

Listen.
What do you hear?
Right now I hear a bus passing outside and a child turning the page of a large book.
I listen some more and I can hear a newspaper being folded and as I close my eyes to eliminate distractions I become aware of my breathing. I cant hear it but I feel it.

How often each day do we actually feel our breathing, maybe with a sigh, or a yawn.
Breathing is one incredibly powerful way to control our stress levels and consequently impact our health. And the best thing is - its free!

Listening and becoming aware of our breathing is the first step to body consciousness. So often we are unaware of our bodies. I know this has been so for me for most of my life. I am a head centered person, thoughts running me here and there and keeping me occupied for hours on end. What can I read on the internet, what can I watch on TV, find me a good book, write me a journal, who can I call...OMG it wears me out! And there's more.

Probably over 20 years ago I made my first attempt to meditate. It was a disaster! Yet I knew there was something there for me. I came back to it after a decade had passed. Slowly, slowly I began to release myself to it's benefits.
The benefits to me are the release of fear. When I sit and simply be, allowing what is, being with my body and beyond that the ether/energy/life. Imagining the universe is breathing me, I allow the knowing, that the spacious place within me is the same place I came from and the place I am going to, beyond this life. Its not a scary place of oblivion with which my ego/mind fights. It is a peace that goes beyond understanding.
Meet me there.
Listen.
Do you feel your breathing as you close your eyes.
This is the gateway.
Come on inside.
Listen.