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Breathe in Spiritual Fitness

By Capt. Timothy Meier

The Army expects Soldiers to be physically "fit to fight." To that end, we engage in all manner of physical training. Most of us would agree that we need this kind of training activity over the long term. For those of us who've engaged in organized sports since childhood, going for long periods without some sort of intentional physical training regimen causes us to feel out-of-sorts.

In addition to physical fitness we need to be spiritually fit as well, in order to thrive - and not just survive - in the midst of a war zone. A friend who attends Alcoholics Anonymous says that "spirituality can unite what religions divide," because she's seen folks from diverse religious backgrounds - people who otherwise would not even have coffee with one another unite by working the spiritual program of the Twelve Steps.

I suggest that engaging in spiritual exercises can do for our spirits what physical exercise can do for our bodies. Spiritual exercises do not need to be very time-consuming or complex; in fact, the best ones I've seen appear to be very simple indeed. I'd like to present a few for your consideration over the coming weeks. Here's one for starters.

Last summer, in the Chaplain Officer Basic Course, we had the first Buddhist Chaplain Candidate in the history of the Army going through Chaplain's Course. As part of his spiritual practice, he'd spend time each day meditating. A big part of his meditation practice was the intentional awareness of his breathing. What could be simpler? Anybody can do this spiritual exercise. Buddhist practice suggests breathing in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Peer-reviewed scientific journal articles have described the lowering of blood pressure and heart rate which can occur during such meditation events, of even a few minutes' duration. In a high-stress combat environment, such a low-cost, non-pharmacological stress reduction practice makes good physical as well as spiritual sense.

When aware of being stressed, if we remind ourselves to breathe deeply, even something so simple as taking a few deep breaths can make a huge difference. Years ago, a friend of mine, when I was upset in his presence, said to me with great kindness, "Tim, remember to breathe." His statement seemed stupid and condescending, but only until I realized that when I get upset, I hold my breath. The simple act of taking intentionally deep breaths can help to relax us, even in highly stressful situations.

The Hebrew Scriptures tell us in Psalms 46:10, "Be still and know I am God." When we're tense, our hearts are racing, and our guts are wrenched and contorted, it's hard to have a conscious awareness of God's presence and action around us. But when we're reminded to breathe, we can choose to inhale deeply, as if to breathe in the very breath of a God who "formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life." (Gen 2:7)

Who knew that something as simple as taking intentional, deep breaths could have so profound a meaning and effect? A very simple breathing meditation can help us not just to relax and focus in the midst of stressful situations; it can build us up spiritually as well.