There is a lot to be said about simply breathing. It is fundamental and constant. Even the trees are moving and creating oxygen for us at every moment. Breathing is something, most of the time, we do without being conscious of it. It is controlled by our Autonomic Nervous System like our heartbeats. The act of breathing is composed of two simple yet opposite motions. Breathing in and breathing out. These two actions throughout life are so different. They are also constantly going back and forth in an endless balance until death. Like a vital pendulum or a paramount ping pong volley. I think they deserve a closer look.
In. When we breath in, we are taking something for ourselves. It is an act of service to one's self. It is the most nourishing action we take throughout our lives. As we breath in the oxygen and it goes into our lungs, it travels to the ends of our bronchial tubes, where it meets up with our blood that has been exhausted of it's oxygen. At that point it gets nourished again and travels through our bodies to heal the places that need it most. When we breath in, our posture naturally straightens and our body becomes more confident in it's stature. Our eyes feel this action as we either shut them in calmness or open them in aliveness with each breath. We breath in quickly when excited or scared about something. This gasp is because, at that moment, we are in need of nourishment to comprehend what is taking place. This is the absolute first step in fight or flight. This inhalation can help in a situation of nervousness or confusion.
Out. When we breath out, we are giving something away. We are letting breath out. It is this outward act that can be heard in a sigh. When we are sad or are showing someone compassion, it is exhalation that becomes a subconscious action to let the other person know we are feeling what they are. It is a selfless act. When we breath out, we naturally slump and sink down. When we are upset, frustrated or nervous, or like a bull that sees red, we tend to pronounce the out breath more so than the in breath.
A little more about trees. Trees play an important role in producing oxygen and reducing carbon dioxide. This puts trees at the top of the list when it comes to survival on this planet. Trees are very balanced. Their root systems are a mirror of their branches underneath the soil. The root portion of the tree is there to soak up nutriance from water and also create stability for the tree. It is unseen and sturdy. The top portion of the tree is there to soak up light and create oxygen. It also harbors many different kinds of animals.
In Ancient India, the people came to certain conclusions about the body. They came up with something called the Chakra System. Without getting too into the whole philosophy about the System, I would like to try and link the symbol of the tree with two of the seven main Chakras. The Root Chakra and The Heart Chakra.
The Root Chakra is located at the base of your spine and in your feet and legs. It is the seat of your stability and where the energy which grounds and makes you feel at home come from. This Chakra in India represents all things that are of solid matter. They also associate this Chakra with the element earth. When this Chakra is working properly, you don't feel overly aggressive, and you don't feel overly emotional. You feel grounded right in the middle. There are symbols that are related to this Chakra and one of them is the color red. Red like the soil that surrounds the roots of the tree. The roots are a dark dark brownish red themselves.
The Heart Chakra is located right where you think, where your heart is. This Chakra also includes the surrounding area of your chest. Mainly the lungs and arms. This is the seat of your compassion and where the energy connects you with others and where reaching out comes from. It is where oxygen is processed, which in itself is something outside of yourself. Something that you are bringing into yourself from the outside world just like an emotion from another person. This Chakra in India is represented by the element air for this reason. It is a special Chakra, in that it is in the center of your being. There are three Chakras below and three Chakras above it. When this Chakra is working properly, you don't feel overly jealous or sad, and you don't feel overly cold or dissconnected from others. You feel compassionate and loving right in the middle. The color associated with this Chakra is green. Green like the leaves on the branches of trees.
I will try and tie all of this together. I believe that everything can be looked at in a microcosmic or macrocosmic way. Trees are a macrocosm of our lungs. They look alike and act alike (Patty Duke theme song? :\).
Here is a picture of bronchial tubes:
Now, just for kicks, here is another picture:
Need I say more?
Aloha...... aaaahhhh
