Hello!

George here, I hope you’re enjoying Master Gu’s course so far.

We’ve talked a lot this week about how Taoist meditation can take many forms. Rather than a focused practice with a set time, place or position, meditation can instead be viewed as a way of life.

If you’re still struggling to apply this into your own life, I have a potentially transformative technique, called the single mindful breath.

We don’t always have the time for a structured full Qi Gong Form or a structured Tai Chi session. However, we surely have time for a single mindful breath, because we’re already breathing anyway!

What’s great about this practice is that it’s actually the perfect tool to help us stay grounded when we’re busy or stressed.

Taking one deep breath, and trying to focus singularly on it, brings you back to the present moment. It allows you to identify any unhelpful thoughts that are popping up and distracting you. Once you’ve identified these thoughts it’s much easier to accept them as external to ourselves, and return to the present moment. Slowing our breathing actually encourages our nervous system to slow down more generally, calming our thoughts and easing tension in the body.

This is a great exercise when we feel our focus has trailed or we’re being held hostage by our thinking. But more generally, incorporating these small mindful breaks into your daily routine – even when you’re feeling focused – will bring profound benefits and make you whole life more meditative.

Actions

• Take a single, mindful breath now
  • Breathe in, deep and slow, close your eyes if possible
  • Hold your breath, watch your thoughts, when you’re ready, return to your breathing
  • Breath out: relax your face, your shoulders
  • Repeat if you can, the more of these cycles you can fit in, the better the effect
• Schedule mini-meditations during the day
  • Set timers while you work to remind you, at a frequency that suits you
  • The benefit of regular moments of calm often outweighs the time-cost of the break itself
• Try to build a routine
  • Over time, you can train your body to respond to these breaths and slow down - the effect can be really powerful
  • As you make a habit of practising regularly, your body will start to remind you on its own

I really hope this can help you develop a regular, revitalising habit, and get familiar with meditation as a way of life.

With warmth,

George

In our hectic world, peace and balance seem ever harder to grasp. If you too find yourself searching for them, you’re not alone.

Taoism has been helping people find and nurture these vital aspects of fulfilled living for thousands of years.

Discover how Charles, a WTWA Online student, discovered the healing potential of Taoism, and with it a powerful new calmness, comfort and harmony.