This I Believe...
A collection of views from UU church members
A collection of views from UU church members
This I Believe...
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Jean S. - January 2009
This I Believe...
By Jean S.
January 2009
What I believe, informs who I am. When things are going well I don't think much about my
beliefs, I just live as fully as possible, grateful for such good fortune. When it seem as as if
I am really being dumped on, as if a sheet of snow and ice slid off a roof, crashed over my
head and slid down my collar and into my boots - Well, I stop - then react with coping
skills learned through the years. Some of these are healthy; nurturing myself with rest,
exercise, music and engaging with other people... allowing myself to help and be helped.
Some are unhealthy... becoming over-active and exhausted, taking on problems that are not
my own in order to avoid those that are... zoning out. They seem to be the same behaviors
but carried to extremes.
I could give myself permission to rest and renew... or give in to the temptation to stay in
bed with the covers over my head for days. I could savor healthful portions of food I
enjoy... or stuff myself and dull my senses with junk food. I could listen to NPR in order to
engage my mind, enjoy music... or allow them to become background noise and a constant
chatter that distracts me and steals away the silence in which to be and to listen for inner
wisdom. I could use introspection for healthy self examination or engage in destructive self
centeredness.
So I believe in seeking Balance and I believe in Ritual and Breath practices as a way of
achieving it quickly and with little effort.
Most spiritual traditions make some use of the Four Directions or Four Elements either
overtly or covertly. I have been taught to integrate them with Breath which is always with
me.
1. Inhaling and exhaling through the nose for times, I think of NORTH, of Winter,
MIDNIGHT, the DARK MOON...of EARTH and my Physical Body. I give thanks for the
qualities of Silence, Stillness, and Stability. I remember to stop and ground before beginning.
2. Inhaling and exhaling through the mouth four times I think of EAST, of SPRING,
DAWN, the CRESCANT WAXING MOON and of BEGINNINGS. I think of gentle
breezes and my Mental Self. I give thanks for the qualities of spaciousness, new
possibilities, of ideas, inspiration and all the stimuli that reach us through the element of air;
sights, sounds, scents... smiles, laughter, the smell of flowers or fresh coffee.
3. Taking breath in through the mouth and allowing it to rest and warm over the heart
and then radiating outward and exiting through the nostrils I think of SOUTH, SUMMER,
MIDDAY and the bright FULL MOON. The fieriness of Sun reminds me of the power of
WILL, my "I CAN and I WILL", and the passion that allows me to meets challenges, take
risks and engage fully.
4. Inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth- as if blowing bubbles
under water, I think of WEST, of AUTUMN, EVENING, the WANING MOON and of my
emotional self. I give thanks for Water and its reflective quality. I pause and reflect on my
day, my life and things that are coming to completion.
I feel the ebb and flow, the waves and tides... and recognize that as my emotions push and
pull at me they provide the energy that moves my thoughts into action.
Finally there is a gentle breath; soft, silent, almost imperceptible. It centers me within the
quadrants, in "The Deep Within”. In this Place I can hold the names and faces of those I
love and those to whom I wish well. From this place I can be more focused and more
present to those around me.
Am I always balanced and do I always take time to do this practice? No... But when I use
these Breaths, these symbolic reminders, there is more Peace, more Joy, more Ease in my
life. And when I falter or fail, they are easy to return to.
By Jean S.
January 2009
What I believe, informs who I am. When things are going well I don't think much about my
beliefs, I just live as fully as possible, grateful for such good fortune. When it seem as as if
I am really being dumped on, as if a sheet of snow and ice slid off a roof, crashed over my
head and slid down my collar and into my boots - Well, I stop - then react with coping
skills learned through the years. Some of these are healthy; nurturing myself with rest,
exercise, music and engaging with other people... allowing myself to help and be helped.
Some are unhealthy... becoming over-active and exhausted, taking on problems that are not
my own in order to avoid those that are... zoning out. They seem to be the same behaviors
but carried to extremes.
I could give myself permission to rest and renew... or give in to the temptation to stay in
bed with the covers over my head for days. I could savor healthful portions of food I
enjoy... or stuff myself and dull my senses with junk food. I could listen to NPR in order to
engage my mind, enjoy music... or allow them to become background noise and a constant
chatter that distracts me and steals away the silence in which to be and to listen for inner
wisdom. I could use introspection for healthy self examination or engage in destructive self
centeredness.
So I believe in seeking Balance and I believe in Ritual and Breath practices as a way of
achieving it quickly and with little effort.
Most spiritual traditions make some use of the Four Directions or Four Elements either
overtly or covertly. I have been taught to integrate them with Breath which is always with
me.
1. Inhaling and exhaling through the nose for times, I think of NORTH, of Winter,
MIDNIGHT, the DARK MOON...of EARTH and my Physical Body. I give thanks for the
qualities of Silence, Stillness, and Stability. I remember to stop and ground before beginning.
2. Inhaling and exhaling through the mouth four times I think of EAST, of SPRING,
DAWN, the CRESCANT WAXING MOON and of BEGINNINGS. I think of gentle
breezes and my Mental Self. I give thanks for the qualities of spaciousness, new
possibilities, of ideas, inspiration and all the stimuli that reach us through the element of air;
sights, sounds, scents... smiles, laughter, the smell of flowers or fresh coffee.
3. Taking breath in through the mouth and allowing it to rest and warm over the heart
and then radiating outward and exiting through the nostrils I think of SOUTH, SUMMER,
MIDDAY and the bright FULL MOON. The fieriness of Sun reminds me of the power of
WILL, my "I CAN and I WILL", and the passion that allows me to meets challenges, take
risks and engage fully.
4. Inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth- as if blowing bubbles
under water, I think of WEST, of AUTUMN, EVENING, the WANING MOON and of my
emotional self. I give thanks for Water and its reflective quality. I pause and reflect on my
day, my life and things that are coming to completion.
I feel the ebb and flow, the waves and tides... and recognize that as my emotions push and
pull at me they provide the energy that moves my thoughts into action.
Finally there is a gentle breath; soft, silent, almost imperceptible. It centers me within the
quadrants, in "The Deep Within”. In this Place I can hold the names and faces of those I
love and those to whom I wish well. From this place I can be more focused and more
present to those around me.
Am I always balanced and do I always take time to do this practice? No... But when I use
these Breaths, these symbolic reminders, there is more Peace, more Joy, more Ease in my
life. And when I falter or fail, they are easy to return to.
