LEARNING TO BREATHE

In Genesis 2:7, Moses wrote: “Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” From a ball of mud to a breathing living person… just like that, thanks to the life giver.

Elihu, one of Job’s three counselors, said something similar: “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4)

As long as we have breath… we have life. It has been interesting to me through the years to learn that for hundreds of years various disciplines have been trying to teach us how to breathe for better total health.
Some get a little too complicated for me and others are simple and helpful. The technique known as 4-7-8 breathing specifically is credited to American doctor Andrew Weil, who had a particular focus on alternative medicine. The simple technique involves breathing in for four seconds, holding the breath for seven seconds, and then breathing out for eight seconds. The first time I learned about this, years ago (before Weil), I just kind of dismissed it as ‘Eastern Practice’ and went on my way. I started to take it seriously when I also started to meditate seriously in silence and solitude. It helps clear our body, mind and spirit for listening. It’s just learning how to breathe… 4-7-8.

As Psalm 150:6 encourages us: “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

Another new form of a living person comes from Jesus through a new birth:

“Peace be with you; as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus