We need to reflect on our addictive behaviors and understand the concept of addiction. Addiction typically involves repetitive actions that we engage in without control over the impulse. The key difference between addiction and something productive is that addiction tends to be destructive, whether immediately or in the long term. Conversely, I consider the opposite of addiction to be the ability to simply breathe when the urge arises.
Long, deep cycles of breathing to relax our sense of danger and need for comfort
It sounds simple, yet it can be challenging to achieve. The first step is to truly believe that practicing breath connection can have a profound impact on our well-being. It may not happen immediately; it depends on our attention span, where we direct our focus, and how deeply we engage with our breath. It also depends on the intensity of our obsessions. However, with practice, we can gradually gain control over our obsessive thinking, one step at a time.
This control goes beyond mere mind control. Outside of yoga or meditation, we must continue practicing deep breathing in our daily lives and strive to avoid causing chaos. We need to learn how to regulate our reactions, which is a sign of maturity. It's natural to struggle if we lack maturity. In such cases, we return to our practice and continue mindfully breathing. We pay attention to our current state, identify distractions, and draw ourselves back to the breath. Over time, we develop the skill to do this effectively.
When we step off the yoga mat or finish our meditation, there are other activities we can engage in to enhance the benefits of our breath training. Journaling, therapy, acts of service, cleaning up our mess, exercise, and maintaining a clean diet can all support us when we experience nighttime anxiety or feel compelled to act out. Instead of giving in to those urges, we should turn inward and engage in a conscious thought process.