One day I was listening to Lewis Howes School of Greatness podcast when he interviewed Michael Gervais. Michael Gervais has worked with many pro athletes and professional sports teams helping them with their mental processes. Michael described a breathing exercise that is designed to completely clear your mind. Have you ever tried to sit and just not have a single thought cross your mind? This is more difficult than you might imagine, and once you try it you realize that it is nearly impossible. Our mind is a busy organ. Random thoughts just seem to emerge out of the blue. No wonder we have so much trouble sleeping or concentrating on anything.
The exercise works like this: You breath in and out as deeply as possible. The only thought you should allow yourself is the number of the rep counted as you exhale. If any other thought emerges, you immediately start over at one. The furthest that I had ever made it is four breaths until recently when I reached twenty-one breaths. I usually fall asleep during this exercise. I use this most often when I cannot seem to shake negative thoughts or negative self-talk. The brain and particularly self-talk are incredibly powerful. When I just don’t feel good enough mentally, physical, or spiritually, I will often use this exercise to find peace.
If you want to develop peace, learn to clear your mind, and do it often.
Cale D. Hawley 