Rhythm

Beloved Lord, Almighty God Pour thy healing power through my breath, my thoughts, my glance my words, my touch
   Amen 

“The breath goes not merely as far as the person of material science knows. This person knows only the vibrations of the air, going out and coming in, and this person sees no further. Besides this there is pulsation: the beating of the heart and head, the pulse, all keep a rhythm. One rarely thinks about what depends upon this rhythm. The whole life depends upon it. The breath which one breathes is certainly a secret in itself, it is not only a secret but the expression of all mystery, something upon which the psychology of life depends.” - Pir o Murshid Inayat Khan 

Two Exercises of self-discovery in breath and rhythm: 

Exercise #1 
Step 1 

Breathe in to the count of four, at a pace a little faster than your usual pace, and then out to the count of four 
Do this for up to three minutes 
Notice how this effects your body, your emotions, your thoughts, your feeling of comfort or discomfort 

Step 2 
Breathe in to the count of three, at a pace slower than your usual pace, and then out to the count of three 
Do this for up to three minutes 
Notice the effects on your body, your emotions, your thoughts, your feeling of comfort or discomfort 

Step 3 
Breathe in to the count of two, at a rapid rate, and out to the count of two
 Do this for up to one minute 

Notice the effects on your body, your emotions, your thoughts, your feeling of comfort or discomfort 

Exercise #2 
Step 1 

Find your heartbeat by putting your hand over your heart, or your fingers on the artery at your throat or wrist 
Breathe in to the count of four heartbeats, then hold your breath for the count of up to eight heartbeats (no more), then breathe out to the count of four heartbeats 
Do this for up to three minutes 
Notice the effects on your body, your emotions, your thoughts, your feeling of comfort or discomfort 

Step 2 
Do the same pattern using the count of three heartbeats 

Applying Rhythm to Life: 

“If the human body is a lute, then every word a person speaks, every word a person hears, has an effect on the body; it not only has an effect on the body, but also upon the mind. For instance, if a person hears him/herself called ‘foolish’ and repeats it, even if s/ he is wise in time this person would turn foolish. And it is also true if one calls a person who is simple, wise. In time this person will become wise…. Is it not true that a person saying a humorous thing bursts out laughing, and one speaking of a sad thing turns sad. If that is so, then what effect has every word that one speaks in one’s everyday life upon oneself and upon one’s self and one’s surroundings.” Pir o Murshid Inayat Khan 

Two exercises of breath and rhythm in life: 

Exercise 1 

Be aware of the words you use about others and the thoughts you think about others. 
For fourteen days, three times a day, make a conscious choice to use words that promote healing and harmony, and to think thoughts that promote healing and harmony. Be aware of the rhythm of your breath at these times. 

Ex. Open the door for someone who needs help, offer a kind word, and think ‘I wish you well.’ 
Ex. When you notice you are about to gossip about someone, change your words and speak about something else, and offer a thought of kindness to all concerned. 

After each time think ‘I am establishing a new rhythm.’ 

Exercise 2 (advanced) 


Be aware of the thoughts you think and the feelings you have about yourself. 
For fourteen days, three times each day, make a conscious choice to think thoughts and feel feelings about yourself that promote healing and harmony. Be aware of the rhythm your breath at these times. 

Ex. If you find yourself thinking ‘I should have done…..’ or ‘Why didn’t I…… or ‘I always do that…..’, stop the thought and replace it with a thought of healing or harmony like ‘ It’s okay’ or ‘It’s not such a big deal’ or ‘It’s alright. I’ll remember next time.’ And offer your self a feeling of love and/or compassion. Then be aware of your breath. 

One final thought: 

“Think that the rhythm of our breath, the ebb and flow, is an expression of the ebb and flow of the total universe. Here we have this ebb and flow, Divine exhaling and Divine inhaling….Let us translate this in terms of our thinking. In order to enhance our aura, we need to entertain luminous thoughts and, perhaps, synchronized thoughts. That means the thoughts are governed by definite rhythm, pulsing in an orderly fashion.” Pir Vilayat