If you’re reading this post, you’re breathing. In fact, you’re not consciously breathing. Your body is breathing all on its own. Your breathing is one of the functions of the autonomic nervous system simply meaning that it works on its own without requiring your conscious, continual thought and effort.
Ancient Languages Knew The Importance Of The Breath
While modern science has grouped our breath with the autonomic nervous system, ancient languages such as Tamil, Latin, Sanskrit, and Hebrew show us that the breath is much more than just air moving through our lungs and our bodies.
Tamil
Tamil is said to be the oldest language that we know of. It is said to be over 5,000 years old, having made its first appearance in 3,000 BC. The word for breath according to Tamildi.com is ஆவி; சக்தி; ஆன்மா . It has a host of meanings to include the following:
- Air set in motion by breathing; breath; hence, sometimes, life itself.
- Life, or living substance, considered independently of corporeal existence; an intelligence conceived of apart from any physical organization or embodiment; vital essence, force, or energy, as distinct from matter.
- The intelligent, immaterial and immortal part of man; the soul, in distinction from the body in which it resides; the agent or subject of vital and spiritual functions, whether spiritual or material.
- Specifically, a disembodied soul; the human soul after it has left the body.
Sanskrit
Sanskrit is another ancient language dating back to 1,500 BC, making it roughly 3,500 years old. The word for breath in Sanskrit it prana (प्राण).
There are 14 definitions of prana some of which include the following:
- breath or respiration
- the breath of life
- vital air
- principle of life
- the spirit or soul
Hebrew
The Hebrew language is 3,000 years old dating back to 1,000 BC. The word for breath in Hebrew is Ruach (pronounced roo-akh).
According to firmisrael.com Ruach the Hebrew word for:
- spirit
- breath
- wind
When spoken, the word engages one’s breath and lungs.
Latin
Latin is another ancient language dating back 2,700 years which makes it a language used by the Romans around 750 BC.
The word for breath in Latin is Spiritus which has the following meanings:
- Spirit
- breath
- wind
- blow
- blowing
- puff
Maybe Your Breath Is More Than You Think
We tend to take things for granted that don’t require much effort or attention. Our breath is no different. Before reading this post, you probably never thought much about your breath, what it really is, where it comes from, and it’s significance aside from keeping you alive. That is, unless you’ve experienced lung-related illness or disease.
Perspective often changes everything. By considering the meaning of breath across varying ancient languages we can begin to look at our own breath as something possibly more than just a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. Maybe the people who spoke these ancient languages in the absence of the advanced technologies were able to see a distinct relationship to breath and one’s Spirit. Breath is what animates us, gives us life force energy, and is quite possibly the eternal part of us – our Spirit or soul.
Commonly Used Expressions
There are many expressions we use that reference our breath. Here are a few you may have heard or have even used yourself.
- “I can finally breathe again.”
- “A breath of fresh air.”
- “Don’t hold your breath.”
- “Save your breath.”
- “I was so scared I couldn’t even breathe.”
These expressions are just a few commonly used ones where you use the state of your breath to express the state of your being or the state of mind you are in or were previously in. For example, think about how your body and how you breathe when you feel anxious or stressed. When the stressful situation resolves, you usually feel more relaxed and at peace and have probably used the expression, “I can finally breath again”. Often, we use these expressions without consciously connecting that our breath is closely connected with our state of being.
Observe Your Breath
I invite you to take a moment and simply observe your breathing. Witness how your inhale feels. Notice if your belly or your chest naturally rise with your inhale. Now do the same and observe your exhalation. Is it faster than your inhale? Is it shallow or deep? Do you have a natural pause between your inhales and exhales? Now notice if you are breathing in through your nose or your mouth?
Your breath is a powerful tool that can change your life. It is something that is always with you and is always accessible. In later blog posts, I’ll dive deeper into some of the different breathing techniques and their benefits. Until then, take a few moments each day and connect with your breath and consider its significance. As ancient languages taught us, the breath just may be our Spirit.