The motivational speaker and the guru will never run out of material. They can hypnotize an audience with eloquence, rhythm, confidence, and the strange ability to say what everyone already seems to be thinking. But is it really such a grand revelation that the thinking mind, left without control or boundaries, eventually becomes a problem?
It is not a massive breakthrough. It is obvious. Without discipline and training, the mind zigzags. It wanders in circles and figure eights. It burns energy. It starts ten journeys and finishes none. It rarely moves in a straight line toward anything stable.
Now, maybe this would not matter so much if the consequences were small. But we can squander a lot of life force on nonsense. We can waste calories on worry, fantasy, resentment, fear, and mental noise instead of using that energy to build health, clarity, immunity, and a more stable life. Anxiety drains us. That is not efficiency. That is not economy of motion. That is a leaky bucket trying to water a garden.
So sit back and take a deep breath. Wonder about nothing.
Take another deep breath and feel what that breath feels like, not as a thought, but as a physical sensation. Is it uncomfortable? Is it pleasing? Is it tight? Is it warm? Is it smooth? Is it jagged? Is your body resisting it, or receiving it?
This does not make a great motivational speech. I am leaving it up to you to bring yourself back to peace. There is nothing I can say that will magically flip the light switch for you. But I can suggest an action that, if practiced, may help flip the switch between confusion and anxiety, and relaxation and deeper awareness.
For some of us, that sounds awful. Who the hell wants to go inward if the landscape of the mind is turbulent and out of control? Why would anyone want to take an inner journey if the inner world feels like a basement full of raccoons playing drums?
It is horrible in there when we are not trained. It is wretched when we do not know how to clear the debris and find some pleasure in stillness. So the first thing we need to do is relax the agitated body.
The body that is screaming for action, stimulation, distraction, food, sex, drama, chemicals, entertainment, conflict, or escape is very hard to negotiate with. The mind can do very little to bring peace to a body that feels like it is on fire. So to soothe the body, we bring it back to the breath.
The breath that was lost in the stress of living.
Long, slow inhalations through the nose. Long, slow exhalations. Listen to the breath. Feel the breath. Let it become the most intimate physical sensation you can access without buying anything, proving anything, or becoming anyone special.
There are many doors that lead to the perfect breath. Some people scare the hell out of themselves with adrenaline sports and then feel euphoric because the body is forced to breathe deeply. The thrill gets the credit, but the breath does much of the healing. But there is an easier path.
You do not have to jump out of a plane, ride a giant wave, climb a mountain, or wrestle a bear in designer sneakers. You do not even have to brush your teeth or get dressed.
You can take a deep breath while lying in bed the moment you wake up. So why do we constantly forget?
It is almost as if the brain says, “Forget this breathing thing. I have a better idea. Let’s think ourselves into a swamp.” But there is another part of the mind that can interrupt. It can say, “No. Take a deep breath. Let go of thought for one moment. You can have your thinking back after the practice.” Practice this every day.
Do not obsess over the benefits. Do not chase the reward. Just practice. Practice. Practice. Be devoted.
Something powerful and profound will show up in due time. And if you want a speedier result, keep purifying your mind, your life, and your actions. The breath works better when the rest of your life is not constantly setting the room on fire.