You often hear, “Watch the breath,” when seeking instructions for meditation. It seems that many of the hints in Sutras often dance around this aphorism to reveal a mystery modern teachers may have overlooked in many cases. Breath is more than your breathing of air. Breath is anything consciousness (the first breath) moves in and out with actions (Kar). The Sanskrit word for Karma is Karman, or Kar (action) and Man (mind). Mental actions are either breath out or breath in. This includes food, emotions, thoughts and so on. A life worth living is one that produces the meaning of life, which is to give life meaning. This is best lived when the breath is fully cleansed. With the expanded pointer for what breath (Spirit) represents, it’s then seen as anything in and out. There are clues all over spiritual teachings of the ages. Here is my favored list from the ‘good words’ I focus on with my own breathing. My goal is resonance. Meditation (empty out), Contemplation (breath in), Service (breath out), but resting on these virtues centers (medi means center):

Breath In
1. Self-control
2. Gentleness
3. Faithfulness
Breath Out
1. Goodness
2. Kindness
3. Forbearance (patience)
Resonance from Breath
1. Peace
2. Joy
3. Love