South African Sophian Gnostic Circle
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The practice of Sighing with Holy Intention
posted Friday, 21 September 2007
“It came to pass in those days that the ruler of Egypt died; the Children of Israel sighed due to their bondage and they cried; and their screams rose up from their hard labor. God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God looked upon the Children of Israel, and he knew that the time for salvation had come” (Exodus 2:23-25)
Egypt is materiality and Pharaoh is the Great Archon of materiality, the Demiurge; hence the Dominion of the Klippot, the husks of darkness. Thus, the Children of Israel, who are Children of Seth, sighed and cried and called out, mourning not the death of Pharaoh, but rather their bondage to the gilgulim and materiality. The intention of their mourning was holy, for they yearned for pure spirituality, the restoration of their souls to union with God; thus, by their sighs they were purified and able to receive their redemption.
The Master said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” This saying reflects an esoteric understanding of these verses of the Torah, for those who mourn their bondage to materiality and the Ignorance (Demiurge) naturally turn to spirituality seeking their freedom – and they find their peace and joy, the anointing of God’s Spirit (the Comforter).
In this we may look and see a powerful spiritual practice of self-purification and self-consecration, one which draws upon Ruach Elohim, the Spirit of God, and brings comfort. It is very simple, all you must do is take in a deep breath and let it out as a sigh with holy intent, and your sighing will purify your subtle body of consciousness and accomplish the tikkune/healing of your soul.
Take in a deep breath, and have in mind regret for your previous errors, and mourn your bondage to the Ignorance; then expel the breath as a sigh, consciously letting go of all negativity, tension and stress – setting yourself free. Do this several times.
Then, shift your focus, and take in a deep breath, and inwardly cleave to the Risen Christ, yearning for unification with Christ in God; then expel the breath as a sigh, aware of your very breath as the Holy Spirit moving with, in and through you – the restoration of your Spirit-connection. Do this several times.
The first series of sighs is self-purification, the second is self-consecration; with the intention of self-purification the sound Ha can be intoned in the sigh if you wish, and with self-consecration the sound Ah may be intoned. This, in essence, is “Sighing with Holy Intention,” and, of course, there are many different kavvanot (holy intentions) that may be generated with this practice, those that are given here merely meant to be examples – and we shall say, the best “sighs” come from one’s own heart.
Sighing in this way becomes both prayer and mediation, and though very simple, it is an amazingly powerful spiritual practice – one that anybody can take up. It is good for the novice and adept practitioner alike, and it is among the practices with breath that are perfectly safe.
The power of this practice comes from one’s intention and the radiant energy that underlies one’s physical breath – sighing in this way is naturally purifying and draws upon the ruhaniyot of the Sefirot and the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God. Yet, if one sighs with selfish intention, yearning after things of the material world, then one draws further impurity to oneself, for one draws upon the energy-intelligence of impure emanations (the klippot) and increases one’s bondage to the Dominion of the Demiurge. It is all a question of your intention – holy intention leads to Beauty (Tiferet) and Holiness (Yesod) and establishes you in Light-kingdom (Malkut). Thus, through holy intention you will draw yourself nearer to God and God will draw nearer to you!
There are many teachings of esoteric wisdom associated with this practice, but what is shared here should be sufficient for you to begin the practice – simply know that in your breath you are intimately connected with all that lives and with the Living God (Elohim Hayyim).
“When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22).
May Christ breathe in us, amen.
Egypt is materiality and Pharaoh is the Great Archon of materiality, the Demiurge; hence the Dominion of the Klippot, the husks of darkness. Thus, the Children of Israel, who are Children of Seth, sighed and cried and called out, mourning not the death of Pharaoh, but rather their bondage to the gilgulim and materiality. The intention of their mourning was holy, for they yearned for pure spirituality, the restoration of their souls to union with God; thus, by their sighs they were purified and able to receive their redemption.
The Master said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” This saying reflects an esoteric understanding of these verses of the Torah, for those who mourn their bondage to materiality and the Ignorance (Demiurge) naturally turn to spirituality seeking their freedom – and they find their peace and joy, the anointing of God’s Spirit (the Comforter).
In this we may look and see a powerful spiritual practice of self-purification and self-consecration, one which draws upon Ruach Elohim, the Spirit of God, and brings comfort. It is very simple, all you must do is take in a deep breath and let it out as a sigh with holy intent, and your sighing will purify your subtle body of consciousness and accomplish the tikkune/healing of your soul.
Take in a deep breath, and have in mind regret for your previous errors, and mourn your bondage to the Ignorance; then expel the breath as a sigh, consciously letting go of all negativity, tension and stress – setting yourself free. Do this several times.
Then, shift your focus, and take in a deep breath, and inwardly cleave to the Risen Christ, yearning for unification with Christ in God; then expel the breath as a sigh, aware of your very breath as the Holy Spirit moving with, in and through you – the restoration of your Spirit-connection. Do this several times.
The first series of sighs is self-purification, the second is self-consecration; with the intention of self-purification the sound Ha can be intoned in the sigh if you wish, and with self-consecration the sound Ah may be intoned. This, in essence, is “Sighing with Holy Intention,” and, of course, there are many different kavvanot (holy intentions) that may be generated with this practice, those that are given here merely meant to be examples – and we shall say, the best “sighs” come from one’s own heart.
Sighing in this way becomes both prayer and mediation, and though very simple, it is an amazingly powerful spiritual practice – one that anybody can take up. It is good for the novice and adept practitioner alike, and it is among the practices with breath that are perfectly safe.
The power of this practice comes from one’s intention and the radiant energy that underlies one’s physical breath – sighing in this way is naturally purifying and draws upon the ruhaniyot of the Sefirot and the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God. Yet, if one sighs with selfish intention, yearning after things of the material world, then one draws further impurity to oneself, for one draws upon the energy-intelligence of impure emanations (the klippot) and increases one’s bondage to the Dominion of the Demiurge. It is all a question of your intention – holy intention leads to Beauty (Tiferet) and Holiness (Yesod) and establishes you in Light-kingdom (Malkut). Thus, through holy intention you will draw yourself nearer to God and God will draw nearer to you!
There are many teachings of esoteric wisdom associated with this practice, but what is shared here should be sufficient for you to begin the practice – simply know that in your breath you are intimately connected with all that lives and with the Living God (Elohim Hayyim).
“When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22).
"God has given to the earth the breath which feeds it. It is His breath that gives life to all things. And if He were to hold His breath, everything would be annihailated. His breath vibrates in yours, in your voice. It is the breath of God that you breathe--and you are unaware of it" --St. Theophilus of Antioch (circa 180 C.E.)
Based upon this quote we may say that the Body of Christ, the Holy Church, exterior and interior, shares the same Holy Breath – that breath we call the Holy Spirit, which communicates knowledge of the Living Word of God we adore, the Christ.
In the beginning, according to Bereshit/Genesis, Ruach Elohim (the Spirit, Wind of Breath of God) moved upon the surface of the deep (consciousness), and from this movement Ten Utterances were spoken from which the Matrix of Creation came into being. The very first Utterance is, “Let there be light,” which indicates Ruach Elohim as the Radiant Holy Breath of God; everything in Creation is created, formed and made of this Holy Breath. When Elohim created and formed the Human One (Adam), it is said Yahweh Elohim breathed into the nostrils of the Human One, emanating Hayyah Nefesh (the Living Soul) into the First Human Being; thus, all of Creation is the Radiant Holy Breath of God, and the soul of the Human One is this Holy Breath. When the Risen Messiah imparts the Holy Spirit to his disciples he breathes on them the Radiant Holy Breath of God. It would seem that the Holy Scriptures point us directly to breath as a vehicle of communion with the Source of Being, God.
If we learn how to breathe properly, and practice with the breath, we shall find within and behind our physical breath an energetic breath – the Radiant Holy Breath, and within that breath we shall find five principle breaths, rooted in the five elements of consciousness (each quite distinct). Through this Holy Breath we will find that we can draw upon the Light from above, and draw out the Light that is within us; likewise, with it we will find we can awaken the Serpent Power, and uplift and redeem it – all with the Grace of God. There is much to be said of breath in a Spiritual and Mystical Christianity, and we may say that breath is central to the Initiation of the Gnostic Apostolic Succession: an Initiation of the Living Word (or Mystic Word), Radiant Holy Breath and the Laying-On-Of-Hands.
Holding the awareness of your breath as the Holy Breath of God, bring your chin down towards your chest, as though gazing to your heart, and turn your head slightly to the left; then breathe, and as you exhale, direct the breath into your heart as the Christ Spirit – in this way, breathe Christ into your heart. (While doing this one may envision one’s breath as light flowing into the heart, and one may focus upon the love of Christ – it is a powerful practice.) This practice works based upon the INTENTION to do so – a simple conscious intention founded upon faith.
Such practices with breath are fully empowered when we are able to actually recognize and realize the Radiant Holy Breath within and behind the physical breath, and we may share a simple way this may be accomplished through God’s grace. We may use what is called the “Heart Breath,” which is breathing in and out with deep and prolonged inhalations/exhalations evenly and smoothly; completely relaxed, while remaining alert. Instead of focusing on the breath itself, you focus on the rise and fall of the diaphragm, seeking to notice the energetic current within and behind the breath – it is somewhat “electrical,” though it is also somewhat like “golden sunlight.” When we catch hold of this energetic current it is quite distinct. Once we can consistently become aware of it then we find all breath practices are radically transformed by it – the shift in consciousness is quite something. Of this holy awareness of Radiant Breath we can only say that it is Divine Grace that grants it, thus along with breathing exercises it is good to pray for the spiritual gift of this awareness – hence, to actively aspire with the fullness of our being.
If we seek to become aware of the Radiant Breath, then it is important that we pay attention to our breathing in general, and seek to breathe properly; likewise, that we are committed to daily spiritual practice, and entertain a dynamic surrender to the Anointed and Mother Spirit – it is a very real power in us, and through it we find we are linked on an energetic level to all that appears, whether internally appearing phenomenon or externally appearing phenomenon just the same. Self-purification and self-consecration are essential to the activation of this power, as with the reception of the Light from above and the awakening of the Serpent Power, for the flow and manifestation of life force can be radically altered by it, whether for better or for worse – it is an expression of wonderworking power or manifesting power. Ultimately, we wish the Indweller of Light (the Indwelling Christ) to direct this Light-power in us, for then it may enlighten and liberate our soul.
The practice of Sighing with Holy Intention is an excellent practice to begin with, as is the practice of Breathing Christ into the Heart given above, for both serve to purify and consecrate us, and to prepare us for more advanced practices with breath. If we aim to enter into more complex practices with breath, and to fully engage the Radiant Breath, then it is best to cultivate a close friendship with an experienced teacher and guide – for there are some dangers in advanced practices with breath which typically can be avoided with the help of an accomplished practitioner.
Our spiritual work with breath begins with exactly what St. Theophilus of Antioch wrote – the simple awareness that the Spirit of God is in our breath!
If we learn how to breathe properly, and practice with the breath, we shall find within and behind our physical breath an energetic breath – the Radiant Holy Breath, and within that breath we shall find five principle breaths, rooted in the five elements of consciousness (each quite distinct). Through this Holy Breath we will find that we can draw upon the Light from above, and draw out the Light that is within us; likewise, with it we will find we can awaken the Serpent Power, and uplift and redeem it – all with the Grace of God. There is much to be said of breath in a Spiritual and Mystical Christianity, and we may say that breath is central to the Initiation of the Gnostic Apostolic Succession: an Initiation of the Living Word (or Mystic Word), Radiant Holy Breath and the Laying-On-Of-Hands.
Holding the awareness of your breath as the Holy Breath of God, bring your chin down towards your chest, as though gazing to your heart, and turn your head slightly to the left; then breathe, and as you exhale, direct the breath into your heart as the Christ Spirit – in this way, breathe Christ into your heart. (While doing this one may envision one’s breath as light flowing into the heart, and one may focus upon the love of Christ – it is a powerful practice.) This practice works based upon the INTENTION to do so – a simple conscious intention founded upon faith.
Such practices with breath are fully empowered when we are able to actually recognize and realize the Radiant Holy Breath within and behind the physical breath, and we may share a simple way this may be accomplished through God’s grace. We may use what is called the “Heart Breath,” which is breathing in and out with deep and prolonged inhalations/exhalations evenly and smoothly; completely relaxed, while remaining alert. Instead of focusing on the breath itself, you focus on the rise and fall of the diaphragm, seeking to notice the energetic current within and behind the breath – it is somewhat “electrical,” though it is also somewhat like “golden sunlight.” When we catch hold of this energetic current it is quite distinct. Once we can consistently become aware of it then we find all breath practices are radically transformed by it – the shift in consciousness is quite something. Of this holy awareness of Radiant Breath we can only say that it is Divine Grace that grants it, thus along with breathing exercises it is good to pray for the spiritual gift of this awareness – hence, to actively aspire with the fullness of our being.
If we seek to become aware of the Radiant Breath, then it is important that we pay attention to our breathing in general, and seek to breathe properly; likewise, that we are committed to daily spiritual practice, and entertain a dynamic surrender to the Anointed and Mother Spirit – it is a very real power in us, and through it we find we are linked on an energetic level to all that appears, whether internally appearing phenomenon or externally appearing phenomenon just the same. Self-purification and self-consecration are essential to the activation of this power, as with the reception of the Light from above and the awakening of the Serpent Power, for the flow and manifestation of life force can be radically altered by it, whether for better or for worse – it is an expression of wonderworking power or manifesting power. Ultimately, we wish the Indweller of Light (the Indwelling Christ) to direct this Light-power in us, for then it may enlighten and liberate our soul.
The practice of Sighing with Holy Intention is an excellent practice to begin with, as is the practice of Breathing Christ into the Heart given above, for both serve to purify and consecrate us, and to prepare us for more advanced practices with breath. If we aim to enter into more complex practices with breath, and to fully engage the Radiant Breath, then it is best to cultivate a close friendship with an experienced teacher and guide – for there are some dangers in advanced practices with breath which typically can be avoided with the help of an accomplished practitioner.
Our spiritual work with breath begins with exactly what St. Theophilus of Antioch wrote – the simple awareness that the Spirit of God is in our breath!
May Christ breathe in us, amen.