An Inspiring Book.
This post is from a book that impressed me. The words are exactly how I try to live. But I could never convey them as well as, the book “Blossom,” by Michelle Merrifield. The author is a beautiful lady from the Gold Coast, Queensland, which accounts for her love of surfing. The sample below may prompt you to read to the book.
“Blossom.”
The words are Michelle’s but the photos are mine.
I always say that, as a teacher I am merely a messenger passing along what I have learnt from all the incredible gurus I have been blessed to work with.
Breath, bend, blossom is my humble interpretation of what they have taught me over the years and how I have come to apply lessons of yoga in my life;
That it starts with the breath, the life-force, the union between our individual spirits and the divine universal energy.
That our body is the temple that houses the spirit, so we bend and stretch and twist and fold to keep that temple healthy and strong;
It is only when we have trained the body, mind and soul that we can truly blossom and use the lessons of yoga to make the world a more beautiful and peaceful place.
The first thing we do when we are borne is inhale. Last thing we do is exhale. In-between is life.
Like a find tuned woodwind instrument, our bodies need oxygen in order to sing and play. You will find the sweeter the quality of the breath the sweeter the harmony in our lives.
If you desire to live your life in a state of peace and serenity take control of your breath and inhale slowly, deeply, with deliberate conscious thought.
Notice too all the emotions associated with fast breathing, stress, anger, fear, uncertainty and panic.
The quality of your breath is directly related to the quality of your posture. By lengthening of the spine you naturally lengthen the breath. By rolling your shoulders back and down opens a clear passage to inhalation.
Maintaining good posture takes concentration and self-awareness at first, in time it becomes natural.
Every breath is a connection with the universal life force. The air we inhale has been purified by trees and vegetation. We breathe out all the toxins and negative waste.
Living meditation is about being totally president in everything I do and making it a sacred experience. When eating a meal focus on smell, flavour, texture and savour every morsel. Imagine how your life would change, if you could just be aware and present in every moment. Breathe in the sweet fresh air. Smell the perfume of flowers. Hear the birds sing. Look up to the clouds. Let go of thoughts and just breathe.
Sounds incredible, I will order the book Jack! Just lovely~
Thank you for being incredible fast with a nice comment.
It is a beautifully presented book.
The sort of book that would make a nice gift.
We are so lucky to live in a lovely area and be able to share it with our family.
You can say that again fortunate, lucky, blessed, we have it all, sweetheart!! 😍
Jack this sounds like my kind of book… Breath is the foundation of Life.. And although I do not do Yoga.. I do Qi Gong… breathing is at its heart.. , I am so pleased that you shared Jack.. And your photo’s of your family and the ocean were stunning..
Wishing you a wonderful family gathering of togetherness..
_/\_ Sue
Breath is life as mentioned in Blossom, inhale at birth exhale at death an live in between.
After reading that book I am concentrating, more aware of my breath. 🐨
Reading your post made me more aware of breath, Jack. Thank-you for the reminder about what it is that is important. Wonderful family photos, too, full of life.
Michelle Merrifield’s writing from her book Blossom.
I can only take credit for the photoes.
The family was just more of my good fortune.
Thanks for the nice comment Jill
Thanks for the nice comment, but like the book said I was just the messenger.
Michelle Merrifield’s book Blossom supplied the words.
I can take credit for the photos.
My good fortune can take credit for the family.😉
Jack – I like the variety of pics – and my fav are the ones of the rippling waves wight he skyscrapers – the blue and the entire feel in those shots are just so cool – the duality of the shore – flat and lively – with the cityscape – tall and quiet – and artsy – and of course the way you integrated the book quotes – nicely done.
and favorite line from this post:
“The first thing we do when we are borne is inhale. Last thing we do is exhale. In-between is life.”
have a nice night.
I thought you would like ‘Blossom’ it is a woman’s view.
The lady who wrote those lines, would also appreciate the photos.
She has surfed those waves, from a young age.
I enjoyed the book and wanted to share her wisdom.
thanks Jack – but sometimes I don;t like stuff that is too much of a woman’s view – just depends – but an example is I can;t stand movies like “The Breakup” or certain chick flicks – just not my thang – but this surfer author seems cool and universal – which is at least what I get from the post. 🙂
Yes I also feel that today some women have put careers above commitment to their children.
Leaving a young baby for others to look after and then blaming them when there are problems, is not my idea of good parenting.
I did not see the movie as most movies are just a diversion from reality. That pack the mind with rubbish.
Where this woman was passing on what gave her satisfaction in her life.🌅
yeah, I agree – even though I have seen some career woman do parenting quite fine – well very rare though – and actually in my experience it seems that some of the most “well balanced” mommas are the ones that work part-time – and for me, my goal was to be “an available” mom and then we found what worked for our family….
anyhow, hope you have a great rest of your day – and hello to dear Pomme for me – how fun to get to know her other half a bit more – 🙂
A well thought and well phrased book report!! I agree totally. After having been housebound by 4 surgeries this last year… I have become aware of all the things you discussed. the smell in the air, the color in the clouds, the taste or lack thereof of every thing that passes through your lips, the time spent in making sure your have spent it wisely or if not, make sure you enjoyed it!! I enjoyed your thoughts!
So sorry you are house bound.
But hank you for commenting.
Letting me know you enjoyed my thoughts
and agree with them.
i was house bound for 1/2 years due to a broken pelvis from a fall from getting out of my swimming pool. I’m better now and once again am able to get out and have limited availability to getting around. That’s why these words rang so true!! People take so much for granted!