UNVEILING THE SECRETS OF THE META-BREATH
A BREATH-TAKING JOURNEY INTO WHOLENESS
GYP ROMAY JULY 1997 ©
Following the modelling project I compiled of Bruce Lee's subjective and physiological experience of "No mind"
("No-Mindedness') I decided to follow it with another topic close to my heart - that of breathing techniques and their effect on the subjective and physiological states.
I worked with a group of friends who were accustomed with breath techniques through their combined expertise in martial arts and different forms of yoga. I also practiced with friends who had no previous training in breathing to monitor the differences between the two test groups. Finally, I worked on myself, keeping a journal of my direct experiences for a year.
Potted History of the breath in its sacred element:
Breathing techniques in their many varied forms have played a truly important role in many spiritual practices, including martial arts of every discipline. Since earliest times virtually every major psycho-spiritual system has viewed the breath as sacred, as spirit, and a vital link that joins spirit to mind to body.
In the ancient Indian Hindu traditions the breath is named 'Prana' and the breathing techniques are known as 'Pranayama' . Prana means the sacred essence of life.
The Latin word for breath is 'spiritus' the name speaks for itself. In ancient Greek, 'Pneuma' was the name for air, breath and spirit. Breath was also closely related to the psyche. The term 'Phren' was used not only to describe the diaphram, (the domed muscle under the ribcage that allows us to inhale and exhale) but was also the name for mind. The sacred word for breath in Bushmen is n/um (the / represents a click). In ancient Hebrew 'Ruach' was the name for both breath and the creative spirit.
For the Essenes (Jesus was reported to have had spiritual training from this important tribe) one could only enter into the Kingdom of Heaven in the sacred point of stillness between inhalation and exhalation. This moment of stillness between breaths is still used by martial artists today as a way into an aware and awakened meditative state by focussing their attention on this pause, moment by moment, thus; mindfulness develops.
'Ch'i' is the word for spirit and breath in the Chinese culture. Whole healing systems have grown around the study of 'ch'i' - accupuncture is one example. The ancient martial art of Tai Ch'i Chuan is another. The Japanese use the word 'Ki' to denote the same thing. Spirit is breath and breath is spirit.
In all these traditions and many more, the breath is understood to be sacred; an emanation of the life-force that is the divine spirit of all. Unfortunately, in the west, science has relegated breathing to purely a physiological function only and that any belief in the sacredness of breath is nothing short of pathological.
It has been found that when the breath is employed in certain ways under supervised conditions that support the practitioner, it becomes a virtual magic carpet ride into what are termed non-ordinary states of consciousness. I choose to call these states 'extra-ordinary' because they truly are. For instance Shamans from different tribes and cultures have used the breath as a means to transport them to the realms of their ancestors, to the realms of the gods and nature spirits. On these remarkable journeys the Shaman is able to bring about changes such as healing and wellness, to effect the weather and do other equally magical seeming feats.
Bruce Lee is said to have once excitedly reported to his friend and training partner Dan Inosanto "It's in the body, Dan!" He was referring to the ultimate secret which so many masters before him had strived to discover: the font of all wisdom; all knowledge lies within us. Bruce made this discovery whilst meditating on his breath. The breath is the key. The body is the door. It is my privilege to understand and share these special techniques (which are actually beyond technique) with those with a mind for adventure; for discovery.
For those who wish to travel the uncharted aspects of themselves and to know themselves at their deepest level. For those who want to awaken their inner-healer to deal with traumas and pain of the spirit-mind-body. And for those who want to tap into their creative spirit. This work is for you, wherever you are and whatever your quest.
'There is a way of breathing that
is shameful and constricted.
then there's another way:
a breath of love that takes you
all the way to infinity....'
-Rumi
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