To get close to yourself this breathing helps. So breathe long, breathe deep, breathe strong. You should be able to hear it: it will help you to keep your attention with the breath. Also in this way you are working with yourself in a dynamic way.

As long as you can make it, as deep as you can make it – strong enough to be heard. It will bring you close to yourself. A continuous rhythm – breathe in, breathe out. It will draw you in, it will center you. It will relax, energize and harmonize, and make space in yourself between yourself and thought, between yourself and the breath, between yourself and memories, emotions, feelings, even so passions. And also between you and the body.

As you breathe in, breathe out, stay with it throughout. Watch it all the way in, all the way out. Always a full breath and when you empty out, empty out completely. It will straighten you out in your mind and in yourself. So breathe in, breathe out – long, deep and strong breath.

Keep your body straight, upright as you breathe in, breathe out. You are like a mountain – stable and unmoving yet relaxed. Allow yourself to be relaxed through the breathing.

Breathe in a full breath, breathe out and empty out completely. Be with the breathing with the whole of your attention, the whole of yourself. It will alert yourself to yourself. It will help you to relax if you continue. Allow it to help you to relax and to arrive at yourself.

I do with you; in that way we connect.

Through the breath you get close to yourself. Breathe in, breathe out, allow yourself to be drawn into yourself.  Keep the rhythm going. If things come up allow them to pass—they are no concern of yours. Keep to the breathing.

Be with the breathing and you are in!

Allow the breath to make room in yourself, make space in yourself between yourself and the breath, between yourself and the thoughts, and whatever that comes up, that you may be able to observe everything that rises in you and passes away.

Arya Vihar

26 March 2000