FOUR BREATHS
by Hasan Askari
(Alone to Alone: From Awareness to Vision)
One may concentrate on an idea that connects oneself to the whole of the cosmos and which heightens and deepens one’s self, and at the same time start gently and wholeheartedly breathing within. Which is so important and effective, idea or breathing in, depends upon one’s crucial choice in attention. By accompanying the act of inhaling with attention one touches the fringe of the life of the idea, its universal power and joy.
First however is the breath of purification, of burning away all that is dense and hard, all that is alien.
Second is the breath of returning from the outer limits, from the six directions of front and behind, right and left, above and below, it is a breath of returning to the seventh point, the centre within.
The centre is also the sphere; as a centre it is eternity, and as a sphere it is infinity.
Third is the breath of ascent to one’s archetype remembering that one’s form here below is an image.
The archetype is both the Self and the Cosmos, after the analogy of centre and sphere.
Fourth is the breath of adoration at the appearance of vision before the innerly directed eye, before the thought in rest, stable and gentle.
This discourse has nothing to do with one’s physical and psychological well-being. If one feels physically and psychologically healthy, that is a very minor reward. The relation of the exercise to the life of this world consists in ingathering the positive and helpful forces. The rest, its greater part, lies above consciousness, above the imaging faculty.
However, valuable, whatever be the authority on which they rest, all techniques of self-development in their elaborate rules and details, without the simplicity and willingness to surrender before the Great Work that goes on above our knowledge, are a burden keeping the novice under one illusion after another.
Pay attention to the idea, and hold it invisibly, its wonder and beauty hidden from one’s ordinary sight. Remember how one sows the seed, and hides it, and waits in trust.
Spiritual Human 
Dear Musa,
We especially enjoyed Hasan’s observation that all techniques rest on our willingness to surrender to the ‘Great Work.’ As Hasan points out, it’s invisibly holding the idea that’s important, not going though the motions that matters. When our heart is open and willing, ready to set down our own limited perceptions and embrace vision, nothing can stand in the way of our oneness with All That Is. Inspiring as always.
Love,
Lee and Steven
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Born from the Breathe, existing within the Breathe and creating through the Breathe… Reading this post, Musa, gives me inspiration (no pun intended…). It naturally deepened my physical breathing process, driving the awareness beyond the words.. wow! As Lee and Steven mentioned.. The focus must be held in the space where the unfathomable gathers its Magic… “The great Work” occurs always… our breathing is such an amazing vessel to make you aware of it and remember it as our closest Truth.
I love it!! Thank You Musa… Another great piece to share! Thank you Hasan, another great wisdom to offer…
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Hello Dear Musa,
I am always amazed at Hasan’s great wisdom. Breathing does indeed, return us to our center, our core, our Spiritual Essence, our Soul. I do believe that breathing can connect us more deeply to the positive and helpful unseen forces of Divine love! Just as Hasan points out. Each breath taken with the intention to release our doubts and imagine a union with The One, is surely planting a seed and waiting in trust!
Much love,
Mia 🙂
PS- Thanks for the wonderful inspiration of Spiritual Human!
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how true.
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