Positive Health Online

I once had the privilege of being in the presence of someone as they took their last breath: a profound experience I will never forget.  In his late seventies, he had been ill for quite a while and wasn’t expected to make a recovery. He had lost consciousness, and we watched silently as his chest rose and fell with each breath. As it rose and fell for the last time, someone in the room said “he’s gone”. We said our goodbyes and left the room, and I spent the rest of the afternoon pondering on what I had just witnessed.

I often think about that day and the words “he’s gone”. They remind me that somewhere deep down we know that the breath is who we truly are. When it leaves our body for the last time, the person that we were is gone and this body becomes no more than a shell.

Breathing is such a fundamental and simple act, yet in the rush of day-to-day life, it may be the last thing we focus on. We may forget to pause, take a breath, and truly appreciate the wonders of life.

I love books that I can dip into for inspiration when life gets busy, and Prem Rawat’s beautifully illustrated “Breath – Wake Up to Life” is a book that does just that. It’s full of sweet stories and reminders of everything that is good about being alive – a stark contrast to the mainly negative news that we are bombarded with daily in the media. Reading it slows me down, and draws my attention to the coming and going of my breath, helping to put my worries in perspective. It reminds me to savour and enjoy the present, rather than living in the past or the future as I can very easily do.

As the author rightly reminds me:
“We do not pay attention to the breath. We do not see it as a major factor in our existence till the day it starts to leave, and then it becomes everything.”

This is one of those books that will stay on my desk or by my bedside, and is a book I will dip into again and again to remind me of the gifts that I have, and inspire me to seek joy in my life every day.

I have also downloaded the audio version and find it especially helpful to listen to at nighttime, as this is often a time when my brain becomes active. Although I usually avoid audiobooks at night, particularly those with a complicated story plot that can over-stimulate my mind, this book is different. I found Prem Rawat’s voice very soothing to listen to, and the words spoken generated a feeling of peace, rather than a mind full of thoughts and questions. In fact I have drifted off to sleep listening to it on a few occasions!

Some books have the power to change how we see ourselves, the world, and each other, and for me “Breath – Wake Up to Life” is definitely one of those books. I would recommend that everyone have a read of this inspiring book by New York Times bestselling author, Prem Rawat. It can lift the spirits and spark joy as we learn to connect with the often-overlooked power within our breath. Discover more on www.breathbook.uk

Further Information

Available to purchase on Amazon.co.uk   Amazon.com