When we enter a state of extreme oxygenation, incredible things are bound to occur. Our vast Human potential is unlocked and a state of enlightenment is guaranteed to arise. However, enlightenment takes on many different forms. It can take the form of abstract, care-free thinking, or it can present itself as a storm of intuitive emotional sobering. Enlightenment is often described as a visual experience; vivid, pulsating lights and benevolent, primordial beings signaling the presence of ubiquitous wisdom to be shared with others. At other times, enlightenment is experienced through a skeptical mindset; while being hopeful, one is flushed with feverish ambivalence which halts naivete in its purest form: judgement. While some people claim to have encountered one or two of these enlightening episodes sporadically, oxygenating your body with intent allows you to experience all of these forms of insight within a 75 minute time span.
Why is it that these forms of enlightenment can only be obtained through extreme conscious oxygenation, and not simple, rhythmic, unconscious breathing? Why is it that there is such a clear advantage to breathing with a purpose, and yet evolution appears to have favored the human who has "forgotten" how to breathe. Prior to participating in a Breath Work Workshop, I thought I understood the phrase "take a deep breath," and now I see that my perception of "deep" was just as shallow as my understanding of the effects and advantages of breathing with intention. In my experience, only through deep oxygenation, can one truly obtain physical, mental, and emotional enlightenment. Assuming this is true, again I ask, why is it that evolution seems to favor those Humans who have forgotten how to breathe? As scientists and engineers of the future, is it feasible that we could integrate a form of deep breathing into our daily regiments, and act as catalysts for a world in which breathing with intent is considered a necessity for living a healthy, balanced lifestyle?
Finally, based on the breath you took prior to reading this, is breathing with intent a necessity for living a healthy, balanced lifestyle?
I did as you asked and took a deep breath before reading your post. Just as you predicted, I was eerily conscious of of my breathing initially, so much so that I couldn't focus on your writing, and my heartbeat was more poignant. But I don't know if I am completely sold yet on the value of extreme oxygenation, and I think my answers to your questions might explain why.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to your first question, I think that evolution has come to favor those who breathe simply and unconsciously because evolution favors efficiency. Those 75 minutes or so that we spent doing breathwork are a luxury, and time that could, some might say, be spent pursuing food, sleeping, or tending to other more pressing needs than personal enlightenment. Extreme conscious breathing might improve your mental capabilities, but it will not determine whether you live or die, and evolution is ultimately concerned with survival.
To answer your second question, I think it is possible for us as engineers and scientists to be the catalyst for a world which places more importance on deep breathing. However, we would need to place a greater importance on taking 75 minutes for ourselves everyday, and less importance cramming in as many "productive" activities into our day as we can.
But this takes us to your last question, whether or not breathing with intent is necessary for a healthy, balanced lifestyle. To this, I would say no. There are a lot of activities a person can pursue to live a healthy life: eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, taking time for themselves. I don't think neglecting to practice deep breathing regularly will prevent you from living a balanced and healthy life, and I don't necessarily believe that everyone needs deep breathing in their life to be fulfilled.
So I guess what I'm saying is that while I definitely see the value in deep breathing and achieving the three different kinds of enlightenment that you talk about simultaneously, I think a person can live a perfectly healthy and successful life without it. Sure, the person might only achieve one form of enlightenment instead of all, but we live in a society where finding even one form of enlightenment is considered a feat. Maybe I am speaking for just myself, or society as a whole, but I don't see breathwork exercises or breathing with intent invading our society more than any other novelty therapies because I don't think its benefits are important to us yet. I don't think people see anything wrong with breathing unconsciously yet, and I don't think most of them will.