254. Scott Schwenk: Why We Breathe

Spiritual Force

Breath is more than a mere physiological process; it is a force that can lead to profound spiritual experiences. Scott Schwenk describes breath as a living, intelligent force that can influence our state of being, suggesting that each breath can be an opportunity for spiritual growth 1. He emphasizes the importance of receiving breath rather than controlling it, which can create tension 1. Jeff Krasno adds that love, like breath, is a force that transcends mere emotion, suggesting that embodying love can lead to a more expansive and uplifting experience 2.

Love is a force that's all around that we give the convenient name or conveyance name of l o v e. But it's so much more than the word.

--- Scott Schwenk

This perspective aligns with various spiritual traditions that use breath as a tool for enlightenment, highlighting its potential to transform consciousness 3.

   

Transcendence

Breathwork can facilitate transcendental experiences, offering a gateway to profound spiritual insights. Scott Schwenk shares how breath can open individuals to creative silence and possibility, transcending religious labels and connecting them to their true essence 4. Jeff Krasno reflects on historical figures like Jesus and Buddha, who experienced spiritual epiphanies through breath, suggesting that such experiences are accessible to everyone regardless of cultural context 4.

How I'm breathing is how I'm experiencing my moments.

--- Scott Schwenk

This notion is supported by emerging fields like epigenetics and neuroplasticity, which indicate that our destinies are not fixed and can be influenced by practices like breathwork 5.

   

Mantras

Mantras play a significant role in breath practices, serving as vehicles for spiritual energy and transformation. Scott Schwenk explains that mantras are energy packages that can influence our physiological and spiritual states, depending on the intention behind them 6. He highlights the power of words like "Om," which encapsulate the essence of spiritual traditions and can direct life energy when uttered with awareness 6.

Words can be a vehicle for our wakefulness and to deliver that or a vehicle for further separation.

--- Scott Schwenk

Jeff Krasno notes that conscious breath manipulation, combined with mantras, can trigger different mental states and heal trauma, emphasizing the breath's role in spiritual practices across cultures 7.