Deep Breath

Deep Breath

By Michelle TornettaReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Deep Breath episodes

  • Meditation for Stillness & Presence
    In this short meditation, you're invited to experience stillness and carve out a quiet interior. Connect to your breath and let that connection connect you to that intuitive place of presence. 
    Poem: by Kayce Stevens Hughlett, from the book, The Artist's Rule (by Christine Valters Paintner)
    Music: Thin Places, by Jesse Gallagher
    Find us on Instagram at: deepbreath54321
    8 min
  • The 3 S's: Silence, Solitude & Stillness

    Silence, solitude, & stillness are spiritual disciplines in and of themselves. Individually they are practices applied to communing with God. And, together they are an avenue toward a companionship, growth, and transformation. The three S's are also part of many (most. all?!) other contemplative practices: Lectio Divina, the Prayer of Examen, Centering Prayer (and so many more) all incorporate at least one of the 3 S's. These three are the incubators for relationship with God and are considered "home base" for getting in touch with yourself, your truest self. Resistance to any, if not all, of the three is totally normal. We invite you to be curious instead of prickly, kind instead of critical. Let your curiosity lead you to further exploration of silence, solitude, or stillness. Then notice how you begin to crave more of the three S's. 

    • Quotes from:  Henri Nouwen Ruth Haley Barton's books: Sacred Rhythms and Invitation to Solitude and Silence 
    • Follow us at: https://www.instagram.com/deepbreath54321/ 
    • Our Honeycomb Journals can be found at: https://breatheandbe.net/honeycomb-journal
      • 17 min
    • Communing With God
      We think there are misconceptions and misunderstanding about "hearing the voice of God". So, we try to clear up the comparisons, the expectations, and the limited way we've viewed God's communication with humanity. Have you doubted God speaks? Have you wondered why you don't hear from God like others seem to? Do you desire conversation with The Divine but are unsure how to go about it? We hope this episodes conversation encourages, and empowers, you to get curious and open-up to the many possible ways God may "speak" to you. Books mentioned: "Mindful Silence", by Phileena Heuertz
      14 min
    • 100th Episode: Everything You'd Want to Know About Us

      This is our 100th episode!!! We cannot believe it. Truly, we are in awe! What began from a desire to stay connected and offer the world an "anchor in uncertain times", has evolved in ways we could not have imagined. 100 episodes in and we have found our niche, our groove, and we have expanded our 'work' to now include workshops, a scripture doodle journal, and custom retreats! We have a passion for seeking ways to encounter God more fully, the curiosity to 'try on' practices that may facilitate deeper connection between God, self, and others. It's clear to us that we should continue to "shamelessly promoting spiritual practices". We are hugely grateful to all of our listeners. You all are the reason we keep going! Our hope is to continue to grow in community. Here's Everything You'd Want to Know About Deep Breath Podcast and Lexie & Michelle . . . well, almost everything!

      In honor of this special episode, would you do us a favor and pass this podcast on to a friend who might enjoy listening? Thank you for helping us celebrate!

      20 min
    • What Now? When Nothing is "Working"
      First off, we're hoping to normalize that there are times when the ways that have connected you to God no longer work. It happens! Second, we want to get curious instead of assuming that something is wrong, and therefore induce shame. Rather, we want to wonder if there is an invitation from God. What if God has something new to offer you and your relationship together? Ask God some questions when things stop working: What do You want to say, God? What are You up to? Is there something new You want to show me? And then listen with ancipation and expectation for God to respond! Books mentioned: Falling Upward, by Richard Rhor and The Practice of the Presences of God, by Brother Lawrence.
      12 min
    • A Unique Group Experience

      We've talked about spiritual direction before (S1 E25) and we've told you Michelle is a spiritual director. We've even mentioned we are in a spiritual direction GROUP together. In this episode we unpack what GROUP spiritual direction is, what ours is like, and we talk with two of our other members! Yukara and Pam join us to answer 2 central questions: 1. How is spiritual direction group different from other groups you have been apart of? 2. What is the impact this group had had on you; your life, heart, spirit? You don't want to miss their answers! Checkout: "Spiritual Direction" S1 E25. Books: Seeking God Together, by Alice Fryling; Group Spiritual Direction, by Mary Dougherty

      27 min
    • Do You Need Discipline to Practice?
      Some of you may feel resistance to the word "discipline". It may conjure the impression of correction, or may feel harsh or restrictive. But when it comes to spiritual practices, discipline is applied with gentleness and care. To be disciplined in your spiritual life means to regularly seek the presence of God. It is not: do good and be good so that God is pleased with me. The goal of any spiritual practice is to keep company with Jesus. Be WITH God. Discipline applied to spiritual practices means enjoying the presences of the Spirit of God regularly with intention. Checkout: "What is a Spiritual Discpline/Practice" S1 E28 Referenced: "Spiritual Disciplines Handbook", by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun *Send us your questions for our 100th episode* [email protected]
      19 min
    • Walk Around in Your 'No'
      Do you have an important decision to make? Recently, we both had a paramount choice in front of us. One of us tried on 'no' the other 'yes'. It was such an insightful lesson learned with this way of decision making, we want recommend this method to you all! Try walking around in your answer before committing to it. "Try-it-on" (as long as it's not urgent), see what life would be like with that answer. These are our experiences with walking around in a decision before making it. Listen in to hear what we ended up choosing! Referenced: The Next Right Thing Podcast
      17 min
    • Set Free for a Greater Purpose
      It's Holy Week and we wanted to offer you a few moments with the scriptures. In this episode we walk through a portion of John 3 using the five senses. Sometimes called Imaginative Prayer; this practice is based on Ignatian Contemplation, which is prayer with scripture. 
      If you enjoyed this episode, there are 2 more reflections for Holy Week! Get them at: www.breatheandbe.net/store.
      11 min
    • Breath to Anchor Body & Soul
      Focusing on breath roots you in the present and creates connection within body, mind, soul, and spirit. We all know the adage to "breath and count to 10" when upset? Turns out science agrees! We mention a few significant physiological benefits to implementing breath exercises, but there are many more. In this episode we play with 3 different methods of breathing. Try-on these practices to aid your integration of breath and soul, body and spirit. Check out: "Breath Prayer" S2 E45
      19 min

    About Deep Breath

    From the publisher's feed

    Lexie & Michelle explore spiritual practices and ways of connecting with God, others and ourselves. They invite you in to the conversation and to perhaps try on a new practice.