#51
September 2008

As a friend of mine said, it’s September, the time when all good studying begins. So if these autumn days cause an inclination to study, you'll find plenty to ponder in this review of the last four years of the Breath and Water Club. Yup, in December we will have been studying and practicing together for four years. Wow.

But before you go there, I want to share something with you.

Couples work

I've spoken with two couples, one a husband and wife, and one a wife and wife. They each, independently from me and from each other, came to a similar decision. From now on, whenever they feel like picking a fight, or complaining about the other, or wanting the other to change, or feeling under-appreciated, or any of the disturbances we can bring to our relationships, they have agreed to try something different. From now on, whenever a disturbance arises, regardless of its origins, both members of the couple will take the time to tend to their internal environment.

For example, if Pink is feeling grumpy with Green, she may tend to her internal environment before she even says anything. If Green feels like Pink is trying to pick a fight, rather than engaging in the fight, or attempting to forestall it, or pointing out to Pink the error of her ways, Green will retreat and tend to her own internal environment. Whenever they find themselves at odds, they have agreed to pause and each tend to their own internal environment.

Results so far are encouraging.

Enjoy studying from the archives of the Breath and Water Club!

THE BASIC PRACTICE:

BREATHE #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6
15 minutes of intentional breathing twice a day. Intentional breathing means breathe with awareness – no effort, no rules, no shoulds. Just enjoy your breath.

DRINK #1 #2 #3 #4 #5
8 glasses of water a day.

SLEEP #26
Get a good night's sleep every night until the next newsletter.

EAT #27 #28
Practice intentional eating for one meal a day.

DEEPEN YOUR BREATHING PRACTICE #36
Breathe for 30 minutes, focusing on the air in your nostrils.

Then there’s:

GRATITUDE #11 #12 #13
During your breathing time and during your day, practice filling yourself with the energy of gratitude.

IMBUE AND IMBIBE #16
Practice intentional eating.

LET IT BE #6
Just breathe. No effort.

GENEROSITY, THE MANIFESTATION OF GRATITUDE #13 #14 #19
Practice generosity of body, mind, and spirit.

I WILL DIE #21 #22 #24
Know you will die. All else is mystery.

I DON'T KNOW #23 #24 #25 #34
Recognize what you think you know so that you can stay with the truth of what you do know.

VULNERABILITY #25
Open up to your birthright.

Other things to practice and think about:

Hug Your Heart #4

Reverse It #7

Switch It #8 #8 continued

5, 5, 5 – #12

Smile #9

Open Your Chest #18

Tithing #19

Balance #20

The Breath of Wonder (#)

Move From Your Center #29 #30 #31

Become a Master of Perspective #30 #31

Move! #35

Hurry Hurry, Worry Worry #36

Count Your Blessings #37

Practice What I Preach #38

Prostrate Yourself #39

Hitch Itch, Dry Eyes #40

There is a Field #41

Inspiration #42

Appreciation #43

Icky Rice #44

Wonder #45

The Gift #46

The Question #47

Don’t Bother Me #48

Internal/External #49 and #50

I know I said I'd include a donation link at the end of the newsletter, but I'm having too much trouble getting it to work, and I had to quit for now. If you do want to make a donation, you can go to my Web site, to the Get a Reading page, and use the "Pay Now" button. Thanks.