Centering with Breath and Inquiry: A Practice of Peace and Love
Tom Sparough, known professionally as The Space Painter, is a Cincinnati-based keynote artist, juggler, storyteller, writer, and facilitator. He brings metaphor to life through interactive performances that combine juggling, narrative, and reflective practice. A former newspaper reporter and toy-store owner, Tom is also the author of Mr. Baitenswich, a collection of ghost stories, as well as other contemplative works. He is an active member of Ohio Illuman, a men’s spiritual community, where he regularly facilitates council and co-leads an annual writing retreat.
Practicing Presence is helpful to me. As I breathe in, I silently say the word peace. As I exhale, I say the word love. Since I'm Christian, I equate peace with Jesus' gift to me and the early disciples. "My peace is my gift to you." And love, I see as the response to that peace. "Love others as I have loved you."
On my best days, my mind is clear as I do this. I endeavor to empty it, leaving only the fragrance of peace and love. Sometimes, thoughts arise about what is not peaceful or loving in my life. I notice those and save them for some insight to come to me at a later time. My main experience of Practicing Presence is to let go of the thoughts and connect with something greater, that dwells in the stillness of my being. It sounds much more complicated than it is.
I regularly use the three conscious breaths throughout the day. In moments of transition, like when I am about to go into a meeting, or just finish a task, or finally sit down to eat, these are the times those conscious breaths are most useful to me. And I like to pair the questions with the conscious breaths: Am I present? How do I feel? Am I connected with God? Whenever I answer that I am not present—that my mind is far off planning something, for instance—coming into the present moment is especially helpful and allows me to feel better and connect with the inner divine voice of peace and love.
