Chapter 4: Accessing Presence
CHOOSING PRESENCE PP. 43-44
Explore the breath's role as a spiritual and healing force that connects us with God's presence and inner peace.
Summary
This section explains how your breath is more than just something you do automatically—it’s a gift from God, a sign of divine presence within you. Scripture even connects breath with spirit, showing how conscious breathing can be a powerful way to tap into God’s peace. By focusing on your breath, you can quiet your mind, let go of negative thoughts, and create space for divine guidance and healing. You’re encouraged to see breathwork not just as a physical act, but as a simple, practical way to bring more stillness and presence into your spiritual life.
Breath is Spirit! And I feel it when I surrender to its power and stop the inner chaos created in my unconscious mind so that I can rest in reality.
— Choosing Presence, p. 44
A Moment for Reflection
Pause for a moment and reflect on the following three questions:
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This question invites you to reflect on your natural tendencies and explore the potential of using breath as a tool for inner transformation.
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This encourages you to consider breath as a sacred act and an access point to presence, rather than just a biological necessity.
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This helps you identify internal barriers that may prevent you from fully engaging in the healing power of breath.
Deepening the Practice: Journal Prompt
Our breath is more than just a biological function—it is a bridge to presence, a direct connection to divine energy. When we consciously breathe with intention, we create space for healing, stillness, and awareness. The simple act of breathing can slow the mind’s chatter, shift our emotional state, and ground us in the present moment. However, many of us take our breath for granted, unaware of its potential to transform our inner experience.
Take a few moments to focus on your breath. Breathe deeply and intentionally, noticing the sensation of air entering and leaving your body. Then, reflect on the following:
How does my breath feel when I am fully present?
What emotions or thoughts arise when I consciously slow down and breathe?
In what situations do I forget to breathe deeply, and how might I remind myself to return to my breath in those moments?
If my breath carried a message from God’s presence within me, what might it be saying today?
Write freely and without judgment, allowing your breath to guide your words.