Dantian Breathing & Meditation

Introduction 

Let’s take a moment to reflect on something we so often overlook: the breath—our constant companion, usually flowing in and out without our awareness.

First of all, how are you? Are you smiling?

In Japanese, we say “Genki desu ka?” It’s a way of asking, “Are you well?” But more than that, I’m asking: How is your Qi energy?

Are you breathing? Are you praying?

These three simple practices—smiling, breathing, and praying—help guide me toward unconditional happiness, even amidst life’s endless challenges.

The Noise of Modern Life

The world around us is in constant motion. We’re flooded with emails, texts, and an ever-growing stream of social media. We’re so busy. The pace and pressure of modern life are unprecedented, and only seem to be accelerating.

Sometimes, it feels like the only way to find peace is to retreat to a quiet cave in the mountains, surrounded by nature. But even with all the noise, stress, and desire pulling at us, we can remember: this is all part of a transient, virtual reality.

And the good news?
Peace is still possible—from within.

This is the theme I want to share with you today.

First, consider this: many of the things we blame for our stress come from the outside world. But often, it is our own mind—our “inner monster”—that creates dissatisfaction, worry, panic, frustration, and unease. The mind reacts when life doesn’t go the way we want. But this stress can be a doorway: an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser.

We must learn to understand how the mind can either support or sabotage us. In this temporary, ever-changing world—this “virtual reality” of experience—our True Self remains rooted in the eternal present.  In this moment, our True Life Force—Qi—remains infinite.

You may have heard the phrase virtual reality used in technology. It refers to a digitally created world where things appear solid and real, but are not. In my context, virtual reality means the illusion of permanence in a world that is constantly changing. Things may look stable, but like a dream or a phantom, they are fleeting. And within this illusion, we still have the power to shape our reality.

Attachment—to material possessions, relationships, emotions like excitement or regret, or fear of what might come—is what often leads to suffering. We do not belong to the past or the future. The past is a memory. The future is imagination. I am breathing right now—not in the past, not in the future—but in this exact second. And you are too.

Together, we can learn to return to this moment.
To breathe peacefully.
To be unconditionally happy, here and now.
So, my friends…

Are you aware of your breath?
How are you breathing—right now?
How long does one breath take?
What do you notice in your breath? Appreciation? Change? Rhythm? A connection to the universe?

Where are you—in your city? In the galaxy? In this vast, mysterious universe? When do you realize you’re breathing? The answer is: now—in this eternal moment.

As for me, I find myself right here—breathing deeply and peacefully in this moment that has no end.  I continue to practice Dantian Breathing, returning again and again to this awakening—moment by moment.

 Dantian Breathing

Alchemy of Refining the Elixir of Life for Qi and Blood

3 Steps to Breathing & Their Significance

1. Inhalation

This is the moment to become aware of abdominal breathing. It’s an opportunity to move away from the virtual reality of the past, with all its negative emotions and unnecessary memories.
Just observe these thoughts from a distance.
Now is the time to plant seeds of good causes, illuminated by bright light for a better future.
This is a chance to affirm that you are the breath, grounded in this calm moment, in this peaceful space.

2. Holding Breath

This is a sacred pause—an opportunity to appreciate this unrepeatable moment of life bestowed upon us by the universe, the divine creator and sustainer.
It marks a turning point, a gateway from the illusion of the past to the infinite light of cosmic consciousness that brings HOPE, the sun in our heart. .
In this stillness, breath becomes the source of awareness and higher frequency energy, inviting deep insight and spiritual clarity.
Your spirit opens to unconditional happiness and a profound sense of well-being.

It is also an opportunity to realize that everything in this temporal, virtual reality is always changing. Just as we say “time heals,” breath retention helps us witness impermanence. Like clouds shifting across the sky or water flowing in a river, our memories, emotions, sensations, and pain do not remain fixed—unless the mind, driven by ego or obsession, clings to them.

With abdominal breath, we come to see that what once felt overwhelming can soften and pass, Like clouds shifting across the sky or water flowing in a river, our memories, emotions, sensations, and pain do not remain fixed—unless the mind, gripped by ego or obsessive habit, clings to them in fear or resistance.

But even this grasping mind can be gently unknotted.

With each abdominal breath, we invite a deeper intelligence into the body—one that softens the grip of attachment and restores inner space.

We come to see that what once felt overwhelming can, in time, dissolve and pass, as tranquility begins to prevail steadily in the mind.

3. Exhalation

a. This is the moment to affirm our return to the ultimate source—cosmic consciousness and infinite divine light.

b. I believe those who merge with cosmic consciousness continue to shine as stars in the galaxy.

c. This is the time to affirm that when you change your breathing, you change your thoughts. When your thoughts change, your actions follow—and thus, your life transforms.

d. This is your opportunity to turn poison into medicine: to transmute worries, anxiety, fear, resentment, grief, impatience, hypertension, and stress from illusion into healing. It happens by awakening from the phantom pain of fundamental darkness into the unconditional happiness of your True Self.

e. This is the moment to affirm that your resilient determination and unwavering faith will free you from the attachments of virtual reality.

f. When I take my final breath at the end of this temporary virtual reality called life, I believe I will awaken to the same tranquility and blessing of my eternal True Self. In that moment, I will be transformed into the galaxy, shining with divine light—a beautiful and joyful new beginning.

Habits and Challenges in Breathing Practice:

Habitual breathing patterns can be hard to change. Try to maintain Dantian Breathing as consistently as possible. It is easiest during meditation, prayer, exercise, or bedtime—but challenging during daily tasks.

Whether walking, cooking, eating, working, or watching YouTube, remember to stay aware of abdominal expansion with inhalation and slow, controlled exhalation by contracting the lower abdomen.

Building this habit takes time, but the good news is: your consistent effort will pay off. You’ll begin to experience instant moments of relaxation and freedom.

A Note on Yawning and Breath Activation:

I enjoy triggering yawns through abdominal-diaphragm breathing. Straighten your spine, squeeze your eyes shut, open your mouth and jaw wider and wider as you deeply inhale—this naturally activates yawning. It is contagious, will continue effortlessly, and feels wonderfully relieving.

My Guided Meditation – Transssage

A Prescription for a Sad, Worried, Angry, Fearful, Over-Excited, or Stressed Mind, Body, and Spirit.

How do we convert poison into medicine?
(These are the formulas in my Transssage—Transcendental Massage Meditation Therapy for deep transformation.)

1. Check your wrist pulse. A typical rate is about 18 x 4 = 72 beats per minute.

2. Ensure your heartbeat is not too fast or too strong—signs of internal tension and excitement.

3. Lie down on a calm, firm, warm surface—such as a carpeted floor, mat, or bed or sitting position too.

4. Ensure fresh air and good ventilation.

5.  I like to use an eye pillow or mask with essential oils for additional benefits

Then, begin a cycle of breathing:

~ Inhale deeply for 3–5 counts.

~ Hold for 3–5 counts.

~ Exhale slowly for 6–10+ counts.

During each phase, silently chant three (sometimes four) words, directing your focus to different parts of the body:

~ Third Eye (Inhalation): “Life, Life, Life, Life, Life…”

~ Heart (Holding): “is, is, is…”

~ Lower Abdomen (Exhalation): “breathing, breathing, breathing…” (repeat rhythmically)

Focus more on using your lower abdomen than your chest while breathing.

DOANN’S TRANSCENDENTAL GUIDED MEDITATION FORMULAS

A spiritual prescription for deep healing, awakening, and transformation
You can continue using your breath with the full version of these mantras.

1. Life is breathing

2. Breathing is healing

3. Healing is believing

4. Believing with faith

5. Faith in the universe

6. The universe of cosmic consciousness

7. Cosmic consciousness for wisdom

8. Wisdom of enlightenment

9. Enlightenment for compassion

10. Compassion for unconditional happiness

11. I’m in Nirvana (the state of freedom beyond transient virtual reality)

12. I am eternal

13. I’m beyond birth

14. I’m beyond death

15. I am infinite

16. I’m beyond space

17. I’m beyond time

18. I am free

19. I’m beyond the mind

20. I’m beyond the body

21. One with the universe

22. Suffering is optional

23 Transformation from Fundamental Darkness (Mumyo no Yami)

24. Resilient Determination with Resilient Faith (Muge no Ichido)

Additional Prescriptions for the Spirit and Body

E = Shikisoku Zeku, Kusoku Ze Shiki
(Form is emptiness, emptiness is form — like Einstein’s E=MC², a bridge between science and spirituality)

🎥 Watch the video of my Transssage practice:
https://youtu.be/QmXufR8iM-Y

Disclaimer

These recommendations are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or dietary change. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something shared here.