Winds of Change

The Colorado spring winds have left me feeling restless lately. I've been battling the wind in my hair that impairs my vision on long walks, bracing my body as the chilly winds blow during lacrosse games, and feeling frustrated in the night as the sound of howling wind outside wakes me from my sleep.  

The nuisance of the wind has got me thinking about how it could be my teacher instead of an enemy in my mind. 

In Scripture, God uses wind as a metaphor for the unexpected circumstances that show up in our lives. 

Think about it, what kind of wind is blowing in your life right now?  

Are there winds of change? Winds of testing?  Winds of opposition? Winds of trouble? Winds of conflict? Winds of temptation?

These metaphorical winds either involve other people or life circumstances that are out of our control. 

What does God want you to do with the things in your lives that you don't have control over?

You can let the winds throw you into the heart of transformation or you can regress into old or false-self patterns.

In her book When the Heart Waits, Sue Monk Kidd makes a beautiful parallel between Dorothy's journey home in the Wizard of Oz and her quest for the True Self.  

"My fascination grew as I read about the cyclone that tossed Dorothy's existence into the air.  When the tempest came, she was standing on the threshold of the too-small house.  In that moment she received her call to go on the quest.  

It came through a crisis swooping down unexpectedly upon her. It was her moment of separation, her moment of opportunity. The way the call came to Dorothy is frequently the way it comes to us...

The message that I discovered in Dorothy's cyclone was that crises can be holy beginnings if we allow them. If we listen, we'll hear God calling from the tumult, as God spoke to Job from a whirlwind.  

When the cyclone struck, Aunt Em threw open a trap door in the floor and disappeared down a small, dark hole into the cellar shouting for Dorothy to follow her.  

There's always a risk that we'll retreat into the security of the cellar rather than ride the cyclone to a new place."

What if the winds could help you find your way home where God is drawing you to wholeness? What if the whirlwind you are riding is a deeper invitation to have faith and trust?

Jesus taught his disciples about this in Matthew 8:24-27

“Suddenly, without any warning, a violent wind hit the lake, so that giant storm waves swept over the boat and threatened to sink it. But Jesus kept on sleeping. So the frantic disciples woke him up shouting, ‘Lord, you must save us! We're going to drown!’ Jesus replied, ‘Why are you so frightened? Your faith is so small!’ Then he simply spoke to the winds and the waves, and everything became completely calm. The men were amazed and asked themselves, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and waves obey him!’”

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." 

- St. Augustine

If you find yourself restless in this season, pay attention to the Spirit-wind inviting you into deeper intimacy. And as you feel the opposition, remind the winds who your God is.

The Great Exchange: Yoga Grounding Breath-work

In our yoga teacher training, we practice the "great exchange" which consists of grounding breath-work and a form of Christian prayer meditation called breath prayer.  

Yoga Grounding Breath Work is a simple technique that helps you focus on your breathing while relaxing your body.

This exercise will help you feel grounded and calm.

Start with 5 minutes of breathing exercises.

To begin, sit comfortably in a chair or lie down on a mat. Close your eyes and take several deep breaths through your nose.

Just notice your breath.

Where does it start? From your shoulders or deep in your belly?

Then move into the yoga grounding technique.

Begin with a deep exhale pouring out your anxiety, fears, confessions and obstacles to the feet of Jesus.  

As you inhale through the nose, draw the breath low and slow toward the pelvic floor and the belly inflates - or makes room for for inspiration.  

Imagine that your inhale is God's exhale grounding you in faith, hope, love, and shalom.  

And your exhale, picture God's inhale releasing stress, tension, and any hardening of your hearts.  

Diaphragmatic breath, especially when the exhale becomes longer than the inhale, is a beautiful way to down-regulate the nervous system when emotions are high.  

Try it for about 10 breath cycles and incorporate the following breath prayer:

Inhale: Almighty God

Exhale: Give Me Life.

After you've completed the breath cycles, come back to your natural breath and simply notice how you feel.

Close your practice with this beautiful prayer. 

BLESSING OF WIND

Spirit of Creation, in the beginning you blew over the waters, 

coaxing the earth up from the depths of the sea, 

and inviting all creatures to rise up on their own wings.

Spirit of Renewing Life, you breathed into me in my very first moment, 

invigorate me with your gift of energy and newness. 

Continue to breathe expansively in me, inviting me to a vision for 

what is possible in my life.

Spirit of Restlessness, stir me from my longing for comfort that so often stifles me, 

help me to release from the places that keep me stuck, 

and guide me in the direction you would have me go.

Spirit of the Great Winds, help me to hear your voice in the midst of the 

whirlwind of my life. Grant me the trust to hold on while I am being buffeted by life’s storms. Blessings of wind be upon me. May my sails billow wide,

May I breathe deeply the gift of inspiration,

May I be carried to the place of my resurrection,

May I be fully free.

- Christine Valters Paintner, Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire

Breath of the Almighty Meditation

Today, take 5 minutes and follow this mediation with me. Find a quiet corner, perhaps lie on your bed. Close your eyes and allow this meditation to fill your heart and body today.