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Our breath is our own guru.

Breath is a phenomenon so vital and yet so often overlooked in its simplicity. The breath is the bridge between the conscious and the unconscious, between the mind and the body, between life and death. It is both involuntary and voluntary, something that continues whether we are aware of it or not, something we can also control and manipulate. This duality makes it a powerful tool for self-awareness and transformation.

When we say ‘Our breath is our own guru,’ we are recognising the breath as a teacher. In every moment, your breath can instruct you, if you are willing to listen. It has much to teach about the nature of your mind, your emotions, your energies, and your body. By observing your breath, you can come to learn how your inner world is interconnected.

When you are stressed or anxious, your breath tends to be shallow and rapid. When you are relaxed and at peace, your breath is deeper and more rhythmic. This indicates that your breath is a mirror to your inner state. To change your state, you only need to change your breathing. By doing so, you are guiding your physical and mental being towards the state you desire. This is why many meditative practices begin with breathwork – to settle the mind and prepare the body for deeper insights.

To learn from this guru, one must become a disciple to the breath. Pay attention to it. Meditate upon it. Breathe consciously, fully, with awareness. As you do, you will become more present. You will see that every breath brings you a choice – the choice to engage in life as it is, to accept it, to move with it or to react against it. Your breath, therefore, is a constant whisper of wisdom; heed its guidance, and it will lead you towards a balanced, enlightened existence.

In this way, breathing becomes more than just a physical necessity; it becomes a spiritual practice, a meditation that continuously unfolds in every moment of your life. Your breath is indeed your very own guru, always with you, constantly ready to teach you the art of living.