Listen Instead of Reading
Hello,
Here are four thoughts, one quote, and one answer for this week.
I hope you enjoy it!
4 Thoughts
1. What Science Has in Common with The Buddha
“Research in general tells us something about most people. Given that our concern is for what we, rather than what most people, should do, current medical practice alone cannot have a definitive answer…We need to learn how to integrate what the medical world knows to be generally true with what we know, or can find out, about ourselves.”
- Ellen Langer, Ph.D., Counterclockwise
Ellen Langer was the first woman to be tenured in Harvard’s Psychology Department. She’s a badass, and this book is insanely good. If you’re interested in applying scientific research in your own life, it’s a must-read.
The above passage is particularly critical for breathing. As we continue to learn new things about breathwork, the most important thing is to integrate that knowledge with our personal situation to find out what’s best for us.
And remember, just because it worked in a study doesn’t mean it will work for you.
As the Buddha supposedly said, “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” It seems like Dr. Langer would agree : )
How do we do this in our own lives? Let’s turn to another brilliant mind for more advice in Thought #2.
***
Related Quote: “I believe books are medicine. A library is a medicine cabinet. What can heal one person may not work at all for somebody else. You know when something is healing you, just as you know when something isn't.” - Sandra Cisneros (I know it’s about books, but still so good.)
2. Delight in Practice: How To Integrate Science Into Your Life
“So look for what feels good and meaningful in what you’re already doing, and perhaps find additional things that are naturally pleasurable for you…Practice is less effective if it’s heavy and somber most of the time. It’s ok to have fun with it.”
- Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Neurodharma
How’s that for a book title? There was no way I could not read that one : )
It’s packed with insight, but I thought this passage paired perfectly with Thought #1. To begin applying the new things you learn about breathing, start with what you already find meaningful, and add on from there.
For example, suppose you love the Oxygen Advantage. But, then you learn that taking big breaths every now and then is beneficial for lung capacity. In that case, you might try adding 5 big breaths before each breath hold you perform. If you like it, you keep it. If not, you don’t.
We also don’t want to take it too seriously (often guilty here). As Dr. Hanson also tells us, “It’s good to bring playfulness, even delight, to your practices.”
Here’s to applying rigorous science in our lives in a delightful way, today.
***
Related Quote: “As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it.” - Gandhi
Related: Science Guides the Macro, Practice Guides the Micro (Thought #4)
3. Forbes: “How Breathing Calms Your Brain, And Other Science-Based Benefits Of Controlled Breathing”
“A brief review of the latest science on breathing and the brain, and overall health, serves as a reminder that breathing deserves much closer attention – there’s more going on with each breath than we realize.”
- David DiSalvo, Forbes Magazine
Here’s a quick summary of some of the science-backed benefits of breathing from Forbes. It was written 2017, but just as relevant today.
I liked the headline-paragraph-headline-paragraph style. Concise and informative. I hope you enjoy it too!
4. Slow Breathing as Reverse Arambhashura
There’s a Sanskrit word, arambhashura, which means something like “hero in the beginning.” We’ve all been there. You start a project all excitedly, but the excitement wanes. You hit some roadblocks. You decide it’s not worth it.
A slow breathing session is like reverse arambhashura. Because of the positive breathing-relaxation feedback loop, you gain motivation as you go. And when you’re done, you’re more focused, relaxed, and happy than when you began. You’re a hero at the end.
Here’s to practicing a little reverse arambhashura today.
1 Quote
“The kind of success I am most interested in is the sort available to every human being living, breathing, thinking, and doing things on this earth.”
– Tom Morris
1 Answer
Category: Body Oxygen Consumption
Answer: For the energy to perform their vital functions, the lungs themselves consume this percentage of the total body oxygen consumption.
…
(Cue the Jeopardy! music.)
…
Question: What is 5%?
In good breath,
Nick Heath, T1D, PhD
Diabetes is Tiny. You are Mighty.
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Each Monday, I curate and synthesize information from scientific journals, books, articles, and podcasts to share 4 thoughts, 1 quote, and 1 answer (like "Jeopardy!") related to breathing. It’s a fun way to learn something new each week.