Breathing Colours

The study of meditation invariably brings us aware of the fact that we live our lives energised by shallow and inconspicuous breaths. We don’t even notice this life force entering and leaving our body, and sometimes we can live our entire life without giving it thought.
When we find ourselves in unfamiliar and often challenging circumstances, our breath shortens as the chest tightens. I find there is a certain irony that it is at these moments when we need the breath to be at it’s deepest, to allow us to keep calm. However, the body is of course designed with primal instincts to save our lives.
Therefore we have to work consciously in order to gain the calmness from our breath that is so essential at such times.
For me, I find that I can find myself slipping into moments of complete mindlessness. Where I know that my actions aren’t benefitting my mind or my body, yet Idon’t think about the consequences until I feel them after. This may come in the form of eating food which does not contribute to keeping me in optimal health, or spending time idling and procrastinating when I have sometime important to get done.
Here I must stress the importance of relaxation time. But really, if the things which are essential can be completed, then the time for oneself would be increased maybe even ten fold than if I were to indulge and hum and har – then end up with no spare time at all.
So back to the point, if one can learn to be mindful in moments of weakness then we’ll be able to gain perspective. This is then the key to being able to prioritise and make time for the important things – i.e. what you like to do in your spare time.

So how to find this clarity?
There are a gazillion self help books, DVDs, programmes out there. But I find that these are too intense. I think the best thing is to find a technique to gain mindfulness and then repeat this so you come to associate it with moments of peace.

I would recommend the app Headspace which offers a ten day free trial. It was created by a guy called Andy who previously spent time as a monk before returning to the West. I like the simple techniques he uses and it’s for from the image of sitting bound in lotus pose for hours on end. He acknowledges that the the mind continues to wander when we meditate and he helps you to embrace this.

In addition, I recently tried a lovely meditation which I read in Yoga Magazine which calls for visualisation of colours on the inhale and exhale.

In a seated position, relax and come to focus on the breath.

After a few grounding breaths, inhale whilst picturing the colour red. Then exhale visualising the colour violet. Repeat five times.

Then reverse and picture violet on the inhale and red on the exhale.

Next inhale picturing the colour orange and exhale picture the colour indigo. Again repeat five times then reverse.

Now inhale with yellow and exhale with sky blue. Repeat five times then reverse.

Finally inhale and exhale seeing the colour green.

Let go of this practice and let your breath rebalance as you bring your awareness back to your body and your surroundings.

Now employ this during sticky situations – admittedly best when alone – and find yourself in better control, with more balance.