The Ontology of Breathing

November 19th, 2006 Fred McVittie

Many meditation techniques refer to the regulation and heightened awareness of breath (Pranayama Yoga being the prime example). One possible reason for this is that the ontology of breath makes it particularly suitable for this use. Breath is, by nature, not apprehensible to the visual sense, but is only possible to experience through touch or proprioception; the feel of the air passing over the surface of our skin; the movements of the body which accompany breathing. It is also experienced primarily as an internal sensation, although one which connects inside and outside, self and world.

Posted in Breath, Meditation, Sense | No Comments »

Thinking from the Centre.

December 17th, 2006 Fred McVittie

Thinking from the centre.

  • Sit comfortably in a chair and close your eyes.
  • Imagine yourself sitting exactly as you are and where you are.
  • Breathe.
  • Place your consciousness at the front surface of your body.
  • Breathe
  • Place your consciousness at the back surface of your body.
  • Breathe
  • Place your consciousness at the left side of your body.
  • Breathe
  • Place your consciousness at the right side of your body.
  • Breathe
  • Be aware of the top of your head.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the soles of your feet.
  • Breathe.

You have identified the dimensionality of the body in space.

  • Be aware of the space in the room in front of your body.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the space in the room behind your body.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the space in the room to the left of your body.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the space in the room the right of your body.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the space in the room above your body, up to the ceiling.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the floor beneath your feet.\
  • Breathe.

You have identified the dimensionality of the room you are in, and made a connection between this space and that of your body.

  • Be aware of the space in front of your body that is beyond the room, all the way to the horizon.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the space behind your body that is beyond the room, all the way to the horizon.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the space to the left of your body that is beyond the room, all the way to the horizon.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the space to the right of your body that is beyond the room, all the way to the horizon.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the space above your body that is beyond the room, extending infinitely into space.
  • Breathe.
  • Be aware of the space beneath your body that is beyond the room, extending through the Earth, and infinitely into space.
  • Breathe.

You have identified the dimensionality of all space, and made a connection between that space and your self.

Posted in Breath, Consciousness, Exercises, Space | No Comments »