After 2020/2021 a good approach to LIFE is to set an intention or project and then wilfully take a deeper, slower breath in that loves life and a long breath out that accepts (not always approves) of this very moment now.The act of breathing always happens in the present moment. IT is automatic and autonomic.
Breathing happens anyway. Automatic/ autonomic breathing is driven by brain stem structures. The lungs cannot breathe themselves. The muscular act of breathing always happens in the present moment.VOLITION is the power of wilfully and deliberately choosing or deciding to TAKE a particular course of action.
Volition or will is a cognitive process by which we decide on and commit to a particular course of action.
It is not based on external principles and is not accidental. When we use our volition it is a purposeful act and we commit to a particular course of action.
Paige Claassen just sent Dreamcatcher 5.14d. She says in her Instagram post:
“I climbed well to the final rest, stuck my highpoint, and then made a conscious decision to not let go.”
“I climbed well to the final rest, stuck my highpoint, and then made a conscious decision to not let go.”
Her volition kicks in and she breathes.
When we act with volition we are choosing or decidinG a particular course of actions. we do this by linking OUR will and autonomic processes by breathing consciously.
This insightful 2021 review article says:
“Linking the volitional and the autonomic, controlled breathing becomes an anchor in the present, which provides organisms with new evidence to update their beliefs on interoceptive states.”
by wilfully (VOLITION) taking a conscious breath we make a decision to take control of the moment.
Wim Hof is a master of his volition and conscious breathing. Past the death zone in nothing but his shorts he recalls:
“In a moment in which everything was seemingly out of control, his mind took control, through his breath. “
In like manner, Tommy Caldwell takes control of the moment through his breath:
“As I begin to climb, my whole body trembles. The intensity is almost too much for me to handle. I try to force it out of my head. Focus, breathe. I climb slowly, careful to execute every move. I let the air whistle through my lips with each exhalation.”
Chris Sharma updates his belief (feeling total chaos) and finds peace by breathing:
“And it all comes back to just breathing, in those times that we feel like everything is total chaos, and to be in the middle of that you breathe and find peace in those moments.”
Controlled breathing is our anchor.
Controlled breathing is our anchor to the present moment, bringing all our energies to one coherent point.
First we have to THINK, BREATHE – even in chaos.
Then we have to CONSCIOUSLY BREATHE.
Practising is KEY.
PAY ATTENTION. BREATHE.
