Twenty-seven thoughts on one breath

It is very hard to remain fully awake for one breath, one full inhale and one full exhale. Yet, the breath is what makes us alive and present; it is also the direct link between mind and body. Placing attention, listening and concentrating on the breath heals (I have tried and tested sources for this). Breathing is the most fundamental form of care for the self, in a way that is not selfish or indulgent – no matter how capitalism sells it – but rather empowering, literally giving nourishment. The breath is a leveller too: everything alive breathes and the breath is always sacred, whether long or short, rough or smooth.

I write a text of 2000 words, musing on the breath. The text consists of very short paragraphs, with specific attention to breathing as one reads. The formatting somewhat replicates ancient Indian recitation texts where the reciter is invited to install the precise words into her heart by repeating them regularly. The text becomes a carer. This formatting pays attention to the fold and the turn of the page, mirroring the movement that happens between the inhale and the exhale.