STILLNESS BREATH

What type of breathing supports stopping? Breathing that supports settling down and becoming more still is the type of breath you want to use for stopping. With breathing for stopping the intention is not to stop breathing. The intention is breathing consciously that the breath faciltates a stillness.

The breath of Stillness Breath is full. The inhale and exhale are equal in complement. Not too deep and far from too shallow, the breath takes in the most breath without being intense. In other words, the breath is the fullest it can be while also being peaceful. Not too fast or too slow, the breath takes in air at about a count of three. Allow for a slight rest period around a count of one. Do the opposite with the outbreath, letting it go at the same comfortable pace for a count of three and giving a count of one rest before inhaling again.

Stillness Breath focuses on the nothingness. Find a word to use as a mantra while your breathing that supports the nothingness. A few options include, emptying, stopping, dissolving, disappearing, nothing, or use another one that helps you lose yourself into the abyss of nothingness. For some people, thoughts may emerge. This is fine. Take whatever thoughts or words that organically present themselves and place them into the great abyss of the nothingness, all the while maintaining the full breathing at a comfortable and organic pace.

Knowing beforehand that the intention of Stillness Breath is stopping is very helpful. Going into Stillness Breath, remind yourself that the intention is stopping, empying, dissapearing, disolving, falling into the deep abyss of the nothingness.

Try this breath under different circumstances and find the ones that work best for you. For example, location may be an important factor. If so, try multiple locations. Some people love being outdoors. Others find that being outside is over-stimulating. Having a quiet place can be incredible supportive. You can designate a chair, a room, a space, whatever supports your stopping. Sit comfortably and do your best to remove any and all possible distractions. Palms of the hands should not be up or down, but comfortably on the sides of your thighs, with your thumbs resting on the top side of your thighs. The position of your head should be comfortable, not facing upward or hanging downward. You can cross your ankles if that feels more comfortable or have them uncrossed. We are not looking for any type of military posture. This is a time to relax and stop.

If thoughts continue to present themselves, continue to repeat any of the following words that work best for you: Nothingness, Emptying, Stillness, Stopping, Falling Into the Deep Abyss. Clearing, Silencing, Quieting, Space, Spacious, or anything else that works well for you. You can play with words and find out if one or two work better for you. You can try using the word "off" to see if that word is of greatest support for you. Lastly, you can use a word that is not a word but a sound. "Stapona," for example, is a made-up derivative word or sound from the word "stop." Another word, "obos," means of breath and space (of breath, of space). The key to stopping is stopping. That may sound crazy or obvious but at some point, the mind will stop and the need to say anything will become obsolete, at least for a while. Allow there to be space in your stopping.

At some point, you may be so checked out that you are no longer breathing deeply. That is fine too. No need to force the breaths, if you find yourself organically going back to a deeper breath, that's okay too. Whether you find yourself breathing in or out your nose or mouth, just go with it. When you are done stopping, done with Stillness Breath, and the time has come for you to get up, practice Practical Integration so that your movements do not disturb your stillness.