Air – the last of the elementals in our journey is no less worthy than Earth, Water, Fire or Aether. When air is still and warm, we may forget its hidden value. The temperament of the wind reminds us that there exists within everyone an inner stirring with the potential to wreak storm-like havoc on our internal landscape with not so much as a whisper of a warning. Air also connects all life and influences other elements, such as fire and water. In Eastern philosophy, it is considered the essence of creation and has meaning related to the mind, wisdom, spirits, soul, connection, creative inspiration, breath and love.
Consciously changing the breath has powerful physical, mental and spiritual benefits that Western mainstream wellbeing practices are just beginning to harness. This wisdom has been known to Indigenous and Eastern cultures for thousands of years and is widely practised in yoga and meditation. Pranayama is the utilisation of breath practices to improve the flow of life force energy or “prana”. The breath can be used as an anchor for the mind in meditation and mindfulness. Diaphragmatic breathing is practised widely to manage panic attacks, anxiety and stress. There are many breath practices used in yoga that can increase alertness, improve digestion and balance the nervous system.
Air can be a helpful analogy to delve into one of my core values – connection. It may be disconcerting in the current pandemic to consider that we are all connected through the air that we breathe. Regardless of the fear that this idea may incite right now, I find it a helpful reminder that all life on Earth is intricately woven together by this invisible thread. It helps me to melt the illusion of separateness that the ego holds on to and remember that we are, in fact, one.
According to quantum physics, we are just one massive bundle of vibrating energy that is perceived by various forms of consciousness depending on the operating system being used to view it. This sounds a bit far out, I know. I think of it this way – if am looking through my human eyes, I will see and feel other apparently solid bodies and other objects that appear separate to me. However, if I am as tiny as an atom, I will see a storm of electromagnetic activity with massive gaps of space with untouchable electrodes that flit like sparks of lightning all over the place. From this hyper-zoomed-in perspective, things look like a mess of energetic activity that seems the same in whichever direction I look. Nothing Appears separate from anything else, and there are no distinguishable boundaries.
Consider this question for a few moments. When you breathe in air, when does it stop being part of the external world and become part of you? When you exhale, when does the breath stop being part of you and become part of the air around you? Just like drinking water or eating food. It blows my mind to try to figure out when these seemingly separate objects stop being “not me” and are absorbed into my body and become “me”. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t sit around for hours tormented by these thoughts. However, I like to entertain myself from time to time with the idea that there is a constant exchange of energy going on, and maybe what I think is going on is just my perception based on my perspective.
Another air-inspired metaphor is that of unconditional love. Isn’t it cool that the air does not discriminate between race, gender, sexuality, ability, wealth, status, age, location, behaviour or beliefs? It makes itself abundantly available to all. Air envelops all life on Earth and provides it with the nutrients that each life form needs. Humans need oxygen, and trees need carbon dioxide – air contains it all. If you were to imagine for a moment how the world will be different when everyone is provided with what they need to thrive. Even if it might look different for each individual, the base element is the same – love without judgment or conditions. An air of acceptance.
Creative people are said to feel a wind of inspiration. The word inspire means to breathe in and also to fill someone with the urge to do or create something. Notice that you usually take in a deep breath when you feel inspired by someone or something; your spine lengthens as your chest expands and your chin lifts skywards. The brain takes the majority of its information from the body so it can be moved towards a state of inspiration by taking deep, body-expanding breaths. Try this for a few moments and see how quickly you can shift from a low-energy, negative state that feels uninspired to a high-energy, positive state that feels full of inspiration.
Love and light,
Popi
