Spirit Element Helper: Air

Since the beginning, the elements of earth, water, fire, and air have been powerful forces that connect us to our planet, to our spirits, and to each other, offering guidance for our lives.

An enlivening gust of AIR whirls around us today to remind us of the importance of inspiration in our lives. We’ve all had ideas or images that just seem to descend upon us from who-knows-where; they are part of what makes life worth living. But we are often so busy that we lose the spaciousness and openness necessary for those reviving and inspiring air blessings to happen.

Concentrating on the breath is a time-honored meditation technique that helps us to be more calm and open to inspiration. After all, air, breath, and inspiration are all inextricably linked: the very word “inspire” means to breathe in.

Give yourself some time today simply to become aware of your breathing, without trying to change it. Are your breaths fast or slow or something in between? Deep or shallow or something in between? Truly allow yourself to pause in the place between breaths. Making a daily practice of mindful breathing–even for a few moments–honors the air that keeps us alive, and honors our own capacity to be open to inspiration.

Read more: Spirit, Guidance

By Cait Johnson, author of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air: Essential Ways of Connecting to Spirit (SkyLight Paths, 2003).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dale O.

9:23PM PDT on May 3, 2012

Calming and soothing air and breathing is always relaxing. Love the concepts of air, earth, water and fire--such delightful and life giving imagery!
Mindfulness always helps to bring tranquil times and pleasure.

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Shalvah L.

3:15AM PST on Feb 29, 2012

Interesting, I never thought of the connection inspiration-breath!

Kristina C.

1:04PM PST on Feb 23, 2012

Thank you for sharing this article.

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NOW CLOSE TO THE GOAL # - Thank you for all the great comments.

Rachael M.

11:57PM PST on Feb 1, 2012

Interesting. Breathing exercises are something I do when I'm stressed, but not usually.

Lynn C.

10:03PM PST on Jan 30, 2012

This is new to me, but interestingly correlates to what I've been studying lately. Thank you.

Teresa W.

4:28AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

lovely pictures

Carole R.

6:03PM PST on Nov 12, 2011

Thank you for the post.

Abbe A.

3:20AM PDT on Jul 5, 2011

yes! Hazrat Inayat Khan's purification breaths every morning are a great start. The air breath is in and out the mouth. feel yourself expansive, spontaneous, free. Great stuff.

KS G.

4:41AM PST on Mar 8, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Janice P.

3:03PM PDT on Mar 25, 2010

My yoga helps me with this aspect of wellbeing. Long, deep breaths do so much for my mindset and my stress level. I also love to hike, but, with all the air pollution, it's getting hard to find a good place to be surrounded by good air.