A Christian Breathing Meditation

Below is a short Christian breathing meditation incorporating guided imagery, Scripture, and a collect from the Book of Common Prayer. I hope you enjoy 🙂

Find a comfy position, either laying on the floor with arms by your side and legs uncrossed, or sitting in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.

Begin by taking a few breaths in through the nose… and out through the mouth…

Noticing the way the stomach feels as air flows into the stomach… noticing the gentle stretching as the belly fills with each inhale, and the gentle release with each exhale…

You may even focus on the way the air feels as it fills the nostrils on the inbreath… and how it feels as it leaves the mouth and touches the lips with each outbreath…

Keep noticing the breath in this way without trying to control it or change it in any way. Recognizing that here, there is nothing that needs to be fixed… and no particular state to be achieved…

Sooner or later during this practice, the mind may begin to wander. And when it does, know that this is ok. This is simply what minds do from time to time. It’s not a mistake or failure, and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

When the mind begins to wander, just acknowledge where the mind has been by making a simple note to yourself, and gently escort your attention back to your breathing.

Now, I invite you to imagine God’s presence, the Holy Spirit, as air. Perhaps even putting a color to what his presence feels like for you.

Imagine his presence flowing into your body and mind, filling every part of you and cleansing your soul with his grace.

Any anxiety, depression, or hidden shame is seen and held here… you are held here under the shadow of his wings. In this space you are seen and fully known, and fully loved just as you are…

Continue to notice and observe the breath, taking in new air and filling you with the Father’s sweet grace, cleansing your whole being with the true, living water.

In Psalm 34, David writes: “Those who look to [God] are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

Imagine your whole body here radiating with his presence and his love for you… you feel it in your bones and deep within your soul.

Continue to spend a few more moments here, noticing the breath, and dwelling in the Father’s love.

To end this practice, here is a collect for quiet confidence:

“O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”