Paying attention to breath
Paying attention to other species breathing
Breath carries the essence of life. We inhale oxygen and exhale CO2. Our breathing is closely connected with the breathing of woody perennial plants like trees and their breathing is directly connected with the air around them. Thus we are completely dependent on our environment and nature. If we extend this chain further, we recognise that we are strongly connected with the universe and that we are very much part of a larger construct of space and time. We are able to breathe soundly and deeply only within this larger chain.
Examining the current situation of the pandemic, we realise that we are severely distressed because of a lack of breath on a global scale. We have lost an important connection with nature and the universe, which is essential to maintaining our lives. What is this important connection? Our breath depends on the breath of other species. One can only breathe when other species can breathe.
We need to pay attention, specifically to the breathing of other species.
Breathing is related not only to a physical circulation of energy but also to the fluidity of psychological energy. We are interdependent beings within society. We relate to each other and in order to maintain a healthy relationship the psychological breath between us needs to be circulated. We cannot breathe well either, when others cannot breathe.
If we pay attention to the breathing of others, we can restore and increase more energy collectively in a larger society.
The path of healing moves from the individual egoistic darkness through to a universal collective lightness. Granting oneself permission to enter the spectrum of light releases the trapped self. Harmony enters with the collective breath and we begin to savour and inhale light.
In this project the five of us decided to work together trying to listen to each other’s breath and also to the breath of the universe. Our collective attempt to explore breath is the intersection of our connection to the universe and to other people within society.
Nilofar Akmut, Liliana Constantin, Stefano Boring, Anca Dimofte and Reiko Aoyagi.
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Paying attention to breath
Paying attention to other species breathing
Breath carries the essence of life. We inhale oxygen and exhale CO2. Our breathing is closely connected with the breathing of woody perennial plants like trees and their breathing is directly connected with the air around them. Thus we are completely dependent on our environment and nature. If we extend this chain further, we recognise that we are strongly connected with the universe and that we are very much part of a larger construct of space and time. We are able to breathe soundly and deeply only within this larger chain.
Examining the current situation of the pandemic, we realise that we are severely distressed because of a lack of breath on a global scale. We have lost an important connection with nature and the universe, which is essential to maintaining our lives. What is this important connection? Our breath depends on the breath of other species. One can only breathe when other species can breathe.
We need to pay attention, specifically to the breathing of other species.
Breathing is related not only to a physical circulation of energy but also to the fluidity of psychological energy. We are interdependent beings within society. We relate to each other and in order to maintain a healthy relationship the psychological breath between us needs to be circulated. We cannot breathe well either, when others cannot breathe.
If we pay attention to the breathing of others, we can restore and increase more energy collectively in a larger society.
The path of healing moves from the individual egoistic darkness through to a universal collective lightness. Granting oneself permission to enter the spectrum of light releases the trapped self. Harmony enters with the collective breath and we begin to savour and inhale light.
In this project the five of us decided to work together trying to listen to each other’s breath and also to the breath of the universe. Our collective attempt to explore breath is the intersection of our connection to the universe and to other people within society.
Nilofar Akmut, Liliana Constantin, Stefano Boring, Anca Dimofte and Reiko Aoyagi.