Esoteric Christianity & Breath Meditation

Breath Meditation

This article explores the concept of Breath Meditation, in the Bible. A background of a particular type of breath meditation is offered, namely breath retention [1] or box breathing [2], as used by Navy SEALS [3], or kumbhaka pranayama [4] from the practices of Yoga. Biblical verse that supports these practices are referenced and the case is made that the esoteric mysteries of Christianity are accessible through the practice of breath retention meditation, as described in Hindi Scripture.

In the Bible, this breath retention is spoken of regarding one’s tongue cleaving to the roof of one’s mouth.

“ If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.” - Psalm 137:6 [5]

“And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house.” - Ezekiel 3:26 [6]

“A perfect man breathes as if he is not breathing.” — Lao Tzu

Or by pausing after breath flows in or out - Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras 1:34

“Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD . So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD ; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.” - Ezekiel 37:5-10 [7]

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” – John 1:4-6 [8]

“Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;” – Acts 17:25 [9]

“By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.” – Job 37:10 [10]

From the Bhagavad Gita…
“Some others offer the outgoing breath to the incoming breath and the incoming breath to the outgoing breath; in this way checking the flow of both the incoming and outgoing breaths they arduously practice breath control. Others strictly reducing their food intake offer the senses into the life breath.” – Bhagavad Gita 4:29 [11]

And from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali…
“The mind is made clear by friendliness towards the happy…(etc., lists the four attitudes to take toward four types of people) . . . Or by expulsion and retention of prana.” – Yoga Sutras 1:33-34 [12]

“Pranayama is to sit in the posture and cut off the flow of the in-breath and the out-breath. The external, internal, and fixating operations, practised in terms of place, time and number, become
long and fine. The fourth pranayama comes when both external and internal fields have been felt into.” – Yoga Sutras 2:49-51 [13]

“Disease, Dullness, Doubt, Carelessness, Sloth, Worldly-mindedness, False notion, Missing the point, and Instability, are the causes of distracting the mind, and they are the obstacles. Pain, Despair, Nervousness, Inspiration, Expiration, are the accompaniments of the causes of distraction.” – Yoga Sutras 2:30-31 [14]

Narrow Gate

The term “narrow gate” or “straight gate” are terms for restricting the airflow in the throat. “Wide is the path to destruction”, so here we see that absent breath control, one lives in destruction and the carnal nature predominates. With breath control, creating the “narrow gate”, the wide gate is avoided. Through conscious control of the Parasympathetic Autonomous Nervous System, a powerful state of spirituality, nay even the Holy Spirit will enter you and bring you into a state of spiritual bliss. Sat-chat-ananda. Thus illuminated the gate to the Lessor Mysteries & Esoteric Initiation into the Noble Family of Christ. Pearls before swine?

Life imparted by God

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” – Genesis 2:7

“And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.” – Genesis 1:30

“And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.” – Genesis 6:17

“And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.” – Genesis 7:15

“All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.” – Genesis 7:22

“All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;” – Job 27:3

“The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” – Job 33:4

“Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.” – Psalms 104:30

“Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:” – Isaiah 42:5

“For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.” – Isaiah 57:16

“So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.” – Jeremiah 38:16

“And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.” – Revelation 11:11

Life recalled by his sovereign will

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” – Ecclesiastes 12:7

“And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.” – 1 Kings 17:17

“If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.” – Job 34:14-15

“Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.” – Psalms 104:29

“ The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.” – Isaiah 40:7

An emblem of the Holy Spirit

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:” – John 20:21-22

“And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.” – Ezekiel 37:14

God’s creative breath

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” – Psalms 33:6

“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” – Genesis 1:2

“By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.” – Job 26:13

“ The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” – Job 33:4

God’s enlightening breath

“But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.” – Job 32:8

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” – John 14:26

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” – John 16:13-15

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“nowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” – 2 Peter 1:20-21

God’s regenerating breath

“Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.” – Ezekiel 37:4-14

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:5-8

“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” – Titus 3:5

God’s empowering breath

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:1-4

“And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;” – Isaiah 11:2

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;” – Isaiah 61:1

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” – Joel 2:28-29

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

God’s destroying breath

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” – 2 Thessalonians 2:8

“Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.” – Exodus 15:10

“And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.” – 2 Samuel 22:16

“Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.” – Psalms 18:15

“By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.” – Job 4:9

“He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.” – Job 15:30

“But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.” – Isaiah 11:4

“And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.” – Isaiah 30:28

“For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.” – Isaiah 30:33

“Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.” – Isaiah 40:24

“So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” – Isaiah 59:19

“And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy.” – Ezekiel 21:31

Bibliography
1 :: breath retention – https://mindfulminutes.com/how-to-practice-breath-retention/
2 :: box breathing – https://www.healthline.com/health/box-breathing
3 :: SEALFIT box breathing – https://sealfit.com/box-breathing/
4 :: kumbhaka pranayama – https://theyogainstitute.org/full-breath-retention-kumbhaka-pranayama/
5 :: Psalm 137:6 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+137%3A6
6 :: Ezekiel 3:26 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+3%3A26
7 :: Ezekiel 37:5-10 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+37%3A5-10
8 :: John 1:4-6 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A4-6
9 :: Acts 17:25 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A4-6
10 :: Job 37:10 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+37%3A10
11 :: Bhagavad Gita 4:29 – http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-04-29.html
12 :: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1:33-34 – http://www.yogasutras.com/On_The_Fourth_Qrackling_Portland_Pranayama.html
13 :: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2:49-51 – http://www.yogasutras.com/On_The_Fourth_Qrackling_Portland_Pranayama.html
14 :: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2:30-31 – http://www.yogasutras.com/On_The_Fourth_Qrackling_Portland_Pranayama.html