How does a person become spiritual? To answer this, let us become as little children. Recall how difficult it was when first learning to tie shoes: holding laces, making a loop, wrapping, tucking, and pulling to make tight bows is a complex task. At first, the experience is uncoordinated, cumbersome, lengthy, and frustrating. But with each practice, the brain rewires itself in shoe-tying ways. Once the brain changes how it processes tying shoes, shoe-tying becomes natural.

People become spiritual by changing the way their brain processes information. This is done through dedicating themselves to spiritual practices. Because, at first, the brain is not wired in spiritual ways, early practice will be cumbersome, lengthy, and frustrating. As the brain increases its spiritual wiring, spirituality becomes progressively natural.

Let us consider some of the qualities of a person who is spiritual. Their ability to remain calm, focused, insightful and peaceful is common among different systems of spirituality. Through diverse practices, these people have changed the structure of their brain, making these states natural to them. For us, breathing is one of the most natural activities we do in our lives. Without thought, we breathe in and out some 20,000 times a day. Yet, through a focused awareness of breathing, we can gain access into the brain’s spiritual centers. Note that breathing is short, shallow, and chesty when one is angry, frightened, or frustrated. When relaxed, breathing slows, deepens, and flows from the belly. Breathe in sharply and notice how you feel energized, alert, and your pupils dilate. Breath out slowly and notice how your focus tightens and your pupils constrict. Why the changes? Different parts of the brain are turned on, shut off, amplified, and dampened, depending on what type of breathing you use.

Breathing is the centerpiece of many spiritual systems because of how it impacts the brain, giving rise to calmness, focus, insight, and peace. To use breathing as a spiritual development tool, there a few simple steps to follow. The very first, of course, is to consult with your physician and receive approval before beginning any life changing program.

Start with a few deep, bellyful, and rapid breaths to increase oxygen, dispel carbon dioxide, and make the brain alert. Keep the inhalations about three times longer than the exhalations. Now, settle down and switch gears and make your breathing out thrice as long as the inhalations. With each slow exhalation, your collapsing ribcage and diaphragm send messages to the brain, telling it to slow down and become peaceful.

Let us now add the spiritual practices of focus and selflessness. Focus and the idea of “self” are both found in the frontal lobe of the brain. Because breathing has slowed the brain, focus becomes easier. Allow your focus to be on your belly as it rises and falls. Finding it difficult to maintain focus may be a sign that your frontal lobe needs a bit of help. Saying a simple word- such as “out” – in a prolonged manner with each exhalation will help the frontal lobe focus.

Soon you will notice that your focus is interrupted with a volley of random thoughts. What is this? This is the noise of your day-to-day brain going about its business. You may find yourself wanting to stop the thoughts, chase them away, or pursue them. Doing these things will simply promote normal brain activity and will then block access to its spiritual centers. Returning your focus to breathing, and allowing thoughts to freely slip in and out of awareness will cause the brain to quiet itself down and push deeper into its spiritual centers.

Each one of these daily breathing sessions should last about 20-30 minutes. You will at first find yourself struggling like a child learning to tie shoes as your focus drops in and out. But remain diligent, for with each practice, the brain is making connections to its spiritual centers. In time you will notice that your mind is not generating thought but is attentively focused on breathing. With more practice, even your awareness of breathing will go and, as the brain plugs into its spiritual centers, you will become empty of your sense of self.

As outlined in this six-part series, spirituality is one of our longest standing tools and has multiple benefits. In my practice, I help people use the tools of spirituality to improve their lives, overcome challenges, and experience peace and happiness.



Contact Bierdz

Thomas Bierdz is located in Chicago, IL. USA
His services are available in person, by phone, and through secure E-mail.
He is also available for presentations.

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