We journey together through mindful reflections on nature's wonders, our loved places, and the awe-inspiring creations of the Lord. As the inhales and exhales mirror the ebb and flow of life's tides, you'll find yourself drawn deeper into the divine beauty around you. Practice a powerful breathing technique known as 4-7-8. This pranayama practice aids in improving sleep and emotional regulation, and in this episode, it is seamlessly interwoven with reflections on Psalm 27:4.
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Hi, this is Whitney and you're listening to exploring peace meditations. As you find a seated or reclined posture in which to practice some breath work, today, I'd invite you to set aside any distractions, close your eyes and become aware of your breath as you take your next inhalation through your nose. Notice as you exhale, breathe out through your mouth slowly and completely. Feel the rhythm of your breath like the ebb and flow of the tides, a natural gift from our Creator. With each breath, be reminded of God's presence with you. As you continue to breathe deeply and rhythmically, I invite you to reflect on the beauty of the Lord around you. Picture the natural world, some of your favorite places, all of God's creation and the beauty in it the waves, the trees, the mountains, the lakes, the animals, the wind. Psalm 27.4 in the common English Bible says I have asked one thing from the Lord it's all I seek to live in the Lord's house all the days of my life, seeing the Lord's beauty. See the Lord's beauty all around you as you breathe. I'm going to invite you into a breathing technique today, called 4-7-8. This breathing technique is a form of pranayama, which is the practice of breath regulation in yogic teaching. This practice in particular, has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, to help improve sleep and emotional regulation. As we engage in this calming breath work together, follow along as it feels right. If you ever feel dizzy while practicing breath work, take a break. Follow the rhythm of your breath. For 4-7-8, I'll invite you to inhale through your nose for a count of four, hold for a count of seven and exhale slowly and completely through either your nose or mouth for a count of eight. Let's begin together. Inhale two, three, four. Hold two, three, four, five, six, seven. Exhale two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Inhale two, three, four. Hold two, three, four, four, five, six, seven. Exhale two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Practice this at your pace, inhaling for a count of four, holding for a count of seven, exhaling for a count of eight. Exhale two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Exhale two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Speaker 1:
I have asked one thing from the Lord. It's all. I seek to live in the Lord's house all the days of my life, seeing the Lord's beauty as you continue your day and as you breathe, think about the goodness and the beauty that God has created in the world around you, in yourself, in the people you love. Feel gratitude for God's beauty and creation.
Speaker 1:
As you breathe today, take a full breath in and a long sigh out of your mouth. Know that you have connected with the divine beauty of God's creation. Remember that this beauty is in you and around you always Carry this with you as you go about your day and continue to seek and find and breathe in our Creator's beauty. When you're ready, you'll gently open your eyes, return to the present moment, refreshed and renewed. May God's beauty and peace be with you always Amen. Thank you for exploring the gift of God's peace with me. You can find me at WhitneyRSimpsoncom. You can join our community and support and celebrate this growing podcast that just reached over a hundred thousand listens at exploringpeacecom. Thanks for being peace, breathing peace and sharing peace in this beautiful world. Until next time, may peace be with you you.