The Breath is a 3-part practice. The invitation is to breathe in through the mouth, into the low belly, up into the upper chest and out through the mouth. Before you begin your meditation, set yourself up laying down in a comfortable space.

Do not have a big pillow under your neck for the breathing
I suggest having a blanket or eye cover on hand as your temperature can shift. The eye cover can help hold the meditative energy, though it is completely optional.

This practice includes optional breathwork. Conscious breathing can sometimes surface strong emotions or previously held experiences.

If you are navigating intense trauma, PTSD, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or other significant mental health conditions, breathwork may not be appropriate without professional support. Please exercise discernment and seek 1:1 care from a licensed trauma-informed therapist or qualified practitioner if unsure.

Do not engage in the breathwork portion of this practice if:

• You have a history of seizures or epilepsy
• You have cardiovascular disease or serious heart conditions
• You are pregnant (pregnant women can do breathwork, but it’s advised to practice with supervision).
• You have severe asthma or respiratory illness
• You are under the influence of alcohol or substances
• You have any serious medical or psychiatric condition without physician approval

If you have any concerns, consult your healthcare provider before participating. I am not a medical professional, and this offering is not medical advice, therapy, or psychotherapy.

By engaging in this meditation and optional breathwork, you accept full responsibility for your experience. You are always empowered to slow down, return to natural breathing, or stop entirely.

On Joy and Sorrow by Khalil Gibran

Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.
And he answered:
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.