Deep Breath

Have you ever felt the need to have someone in your court, someone to have your back? Feeling misjudged, taken advantage of, wronged, or misunderstood? This meditation and blessing is for you. Allow these verses to be read over you and sink deep in to your spirit. In these verses, be encouraged that God is your Champion and your Hero. The final blessing is adapted from "Blessing Your Spirit" by Ar...

We have talked about the situational practice called the Welcoming Prayer before (S2 E37) In this episode we practice this practice together. Try-on this short but powerful way to consent to the actions and presences of God within. Get your free guide and copy of the Welcoming Prayer: www.breatheandbe.com

We have talked about doodle prayers and doodling with scripture before. But this episode is special! We briefly go over what this method of meditating on scripture is about. And then we actually walk you through the practice. We even recorded a video of it and put it on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/eKDHLJMENEU You can order our Honeycomb Journals, as shown in the YouTube video, at: www.ho...

In this episode's conversation, we introduce a book we both really like and found very informative: "Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life", by Richard Rohr The book serves as a guide; insightful descriptions and wise counsel to navigate the territory of midlife. Second half of life is not about a specific age, though there's a general range of time usually. This concept could...

In this episode we talk about the importance of retreat. Or, as Ruth Haley Barton calls it, "strategic withdraw". This practice is never not necessary for our spiritual health & development. There is need for vacations & days off, but retreat is a different category; meeting different needs. Listen in as we unpack this spiritual discipline & share about our first Playful Summer Retreat! Sign up fo...

In this short reflection and prayer, you'll learn about the importance of circles to Celtic Christians. Then you'll create a circle of your own and receive a blessing, "a circle of light drawn around a person to protect, heal, and strengthen." 

There are many ways to study and meditate on scripture. This week we explore together (and with you) the Celtic way. We not only talk about what and how, we do it! Walking through a specific section of scripture, we read the text with three perspectives: literal, symbolic, imaginative. In Celtic Spirituality scripture was read in community and with a wholistic, embodied point of view. Stories and...

We continue our line of thought and conversation on embodiment. In this episode we zero in on something we think is a common experience: a loss for words when in prayer. What to do (or not) when words don't do enough to express the communication you long for with the Divine? How might we try other methods and ways to convey our requests, needs, desires, praises, etc? Join us in wondering and tryin...

Instead of separating the body from mind and emotions, and segmenting ordinary from sacred; we want to talk about breaking down false walls of compartmentalization to experience ALL of life through embodiment. Bringing the physical and spiritual together. Uniting nature and the holy in day-to-day living. Do you ever find that words spoken to God can be limiting, even cumbersome? Try communing with...

We've been on a learning journey! In this episode, we invite you to come along and explore Celtic Spirituality with us. We've enjoyed being beginners, the excitement of discovery, and the rooted feeling of connected to something ancient yet alive and relevant. We share with you a little on what Celtic Spirituality is; the history and the way it views the world, the Word, and the Divine. Checkout:...

In this short meditation, you're invited to experience stillness and carve out a quiet interior. Connect to your breath and let that connection connect you to that intuitive place of presence.  Poem: by Kayce Stevens Hughlett, from the book, The Artist's Rule (by Christine Valters Paintner) Music: Thin Places, by Jesse Gallagher Find us on Instagram at: deepbreath54321

Silence, solitude, & stillness are spiritual disciplines in and of themselves. Individually they are practices applied to communing with God. And, together they are an avenue toward a companionship, growth, and transformation. The three S's are also part of many (most. all?!) other contemplative practices: Lectio Divina, the Prayer of Examen, Centering Prayer (and so many more) all incorporate...

We think there are misconceptions and misunderstanding about "hearing the voice of God". So, we try to clear up the comparisons, the expectations, and the limited way we've viewed God's communication with humanity. Have you doubted God speaks? Have you wondered why you don't hear from God like others seem to? Do you desire conversation with The Divine but are unsure how to go about it? We hope thi...

This is our 100th episode!!! We cannot believe it. Truly, we are in awe! What began from a desire to stay connected and offer the world an "anchor in uncertain times", has evolved in ways we could not have imagined. 100 episodes in and we have found our niche, our groove, and we have expanded our 'work' to now include workshops, a scripture doodle journal, and custom retreats! We have a passion fo...

First off, we're hoping to normalize that there are times when the ways that have connected you to God no longer work. It happens! Second, we want to get curious instead of assuming that something is wrong, and therefore induce shame. Rather, we want to wonder if there is an invitation from God. What if God has something new to offer you and your relationship together? Ask God some questions when...

We've talked about spiritual direction before (S1 E25) and we've told you Michelle is a spiritual director. We've even mentioned we are in a spiritual direction GROUP together. In this episode we unpack what GROUP spiritual direction is, what ours is like, and we talk with two of our other members! Yukara and Pam join us to answer 2 central questions: 1. How is spiritual direction group different...

Some of you may feel resistance to the word "discipline". It may conjure the impression of correction, or may feel harsh or restrictive. But when it comes to spiritual practices, discipline is applied with gentleness and care. To be disciplined in your spiritual life means to regularly seek the presence of God. It is not: do good and be good so that God is pleased with me. The goal of any spiritua...

Do you have an important decision to make? Recently, we both had a paramount choice in front of us. One of us tried on 'no' the other 'yes'. It was such an insightful lesson learned with this way of decision making, we want recommend this method to you all! Try walking around in your answer before committing to it. "Try-it-on" (as long as it's not urgent), see what life would be like with that ans...

It's Holy Week and we wanted to offer you a few moments with the scriptures. In this episode we walk through a portion of John 3 using the five senses. Sometimes called Imaginative Prayer; this practice is based on Ignatian Contemplation, which is prayer with scripture.  If you enjoyed this episode, there are 2 more reflections for Holy Week! Get them at: www.breatheandbe.net/store. 

Focusing on breath roots you in the present and creates connection within body, mind, soul, and spirit. We all know the adage to "breath and count to 10" when upset? Turns out science agrees! We mention a few significant physiological benefits to implementing breath exercises, but there are many more. In this episode we play with 3 different methods of breathing. Try-on these practices to aid your...

In this episode we give you a bite size soul care moment. A short, guided, breathing exercise. Set aside 3 minutes, get comfy, be present, and tend to your inner life. We hope this bite size soul care nourishes you.

We're wondering if, like us, you are in need of some soul care right about now? Living though a two year global pandemic, we've undergone countless challenges. The world in general is feeling pretty fragile, and all the while life is getting 'back to normal'. Are we taking time to recover? Let's consider how we can proactively care for our frailty. Within the hectic schedule of every-day-life, let...

Tuning in and really listening to your body might take time and effort. It might actually take an entire "retraining" of how you interact, inquire, and respond to what your body needs. And that's what we invite you to consider and try-on in this episode. We also lead you through a practice to investigate the insights your bodies may be holding, the wisdom and truth your body may have to reveal. Ch...

Identify what season you are in in order to participate with the activity of the Spirit within you.  This was our tagline, mantra, and reason for creating this four-part series.  We hope it's been like a guidebook; hearing the lists of descriptors, mulling over the similarities between nature and the interior, and trying-on a spiritual practice that would most suit your current state of being.  We...

Autumn is famous for it's beautiful and dynamic colors, which signal change. And since we're talking about the seasons of the soul, we compare times of letting go or moving on to a season of fall within. Do you sense change coming or a need for change? Are the sands of life shifting? Knowing this is "fall" within and naming it as such, can influence your surrender to, and participation with, the a...