Spiritual Practice: Breath prayer on the Camino

Concentrated breathing helped me climb the steep inclines on Camino Sanabres. I also chose to use these climbs and this breathing as prayerful moments. Breath Prayer is a spiritual practice in which you pray one phrase on the inhale and another phrase on the exhale. Before I left, a friend texted me this one: Inhale: “You are with us;” Exhale: “We can do this.” This became my prayer for the uphills, and the downhills, and the long stretches in the hot sun. Breath prayer actually marked a good portion of my walking, not just for the practical use of focusing my breath while exercising, yet also a practical way to focus my thoughts and prayers for family and friends. Maybe you can try one this week, maybe on the hour or half-hour take one minute and six deep breaths. Inhale: You are true light; Exhale: Help me shine. Or Inhale: Grant me patience, Exhale: hope and peace. Or whatever you feel pertinent in that moment. I hope this helps you in your journey through the day and life. Until next time, Buen Camino!