Breath

The Sacred Bridge Between Body, Spirit, and the Universe

By Dr. Anna Biela 12.02.2025 Wrocław 13:37

Breath has always been a part of my healing journey, but I never fully understood its power until I started my Shaolin self-mastery „Shaolin Online Training 歐洲少林寺 „ course. The first lesson was to learn how to breathe properly—to fill my belly, chest, and throat with air. I had no idea that this simple practice would unlock so much more than just physical relaxation. It was through the practice of conscious breath that I began to experience a deeper spiritual connection.

Yesterday, as I focused on my breath, I realized something profound: if I continue to inhale deeply into my belly, chest, and throat, I can feel the energy flowing in through my crown chakra, down into my belly, and up again. This connection between breath and energy allowed me to experience a meditative state unlike any other. The energy was flowing like tides—an effortless, rhythmic ebb and flow.

Today, during a meditation with Matthias DeStefano, I used the same breathing technique, and I felt the energy flow even deeper. It felt like the dissolution of my body, as if I became one with the energy itself. The synchronicity of doing my Shaolin lesson and this meditation on the same day was not lost on me. It was a reminder that breath is a tool to access a state of oneness, peace, and connection with the universe.

Breathing is far more than an involuntary action. It’s the thread that connects us to the divine, to the Earth, and to everyone around us. Across cultures, spiritual traditions, and wisdom teachings, breath has been recognized as a sacred force—a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.

In Indigenous Australian Aboriginal cultures, breath is seen as a sacred connection to the land and ancestors, vital for maintaining balance in the physical and spiritual realms. Similarly, the Māori view breath (hau) as a life force that links individuals to the Earth and their ancestors.

For the Andean people, breath connects to Pachamama, the Earth, and the cosmos, sustaining balance through rituals. In Native Hawaiian culture, ha refers to the sacred breath that links all beings, used in spiritual practices like chants and hula.

Ancient Egyptians believed breath was tied to the ka, the life force, and was essential for maintaining divine connection. For the Greeks, breath (pneuma) was seen as the vital spirit that animated the body and connected it to the soul.

In Mayan spirituality, breath was considered a link between the physical and spiritual realms, essential in honoring the gods. Tibetan Buddhism teaches that controlled breathing awakens wisdom and compassion, while Sufism uses breath as a means to commune with the divine.

For Zoroastrians, breath represents the divine spirit that sustains life, while in Shinto and Zen Buddhism (Japan), breath is a way to connect to nature and align oneself with the cosmos.

In Christianity, breath symbolizes the Holy Spirit, the divine force that gives life. Judaism sees breath as the divine spirit, with God breathing life into Adam. Islam views breath as a divine gift, reminding practitioners of their dependence on God.

In Hinduism, breathing practices like pranayama control the life force (prana) and deepen spiritual connection. In Buddhism, breath is central to meditation, guiding practitioners towards enlightenment. The Baha’i Faith teaches that breath can be a moment of alignment with God, turning each inhale into a prayer of connection.

Breath is far more than an involuntary action. It’s the thread that connects me to the divine, to the Earth, and to everyone around me. Across cultures, spiritual traditions, and wisdom teachings, breath has been recognized as a sacred force—a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.

As I experienced firsthand through my Shaolin practice and meditation with Matthias DeStefano, I realized that breath holds the power to align me with the energy of the universe. It helps dissolve boundaries between my body and spirit. By consciously connecting with my breath, I not only nourish my body but also awaken to a deeper sense of oneness and peace.

My realization is that meditation became so much easier when I started to focus only on my breath. By simplifying the process and allowing my breath to be my guide, I’ve found a deeper, more effortless connection to the present moment.

This practice is available to all of us. It’s a simple yet profound tool that can transform our lives. With each breath, I have the opportunity to reconnect with the source of life and tap into the sacred rhythm of the cosmos. When I breathe with intention and awareness, I’m reminded that through each inhale and exhale, I am part of something far greater than myself.