Breathing as a Souldier

Since the first significant revolution in our human evolution, our civilization has consistently prioritized power, technology, and social structures, often at the cost of essential values like love, community, and balance. As a consequence, an increasingly unnatural sense of separateness has taken root within individuals. In response to this growing disconnection, a collective awakening of what I will call ‘souldiers’ has become a necessity. Introduced to me by Lisa McNett during my initial consultation with One Breath Institute (OBI), this word encapsulates the idea of individuals rising together towards a more conscious awareness.

So, what exactly is a ‘souldier’? A 'souldier' essentially refers to an individual enlisted in the service of confronting the current battle between separateness and unity, with the ultimate aim of reestablishing balance within the soul.

The sense of separation experienced by individuals has resulted in extreme stress that manifests as disease in the body, mind, and spirit. The World Health Organization has highlighted the alarming prevalence of “depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders being among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents,” with “suicide as the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds” (World Health Organization, 2021). Alarming, isn't it?

Our efforts to fit in with what's considered 'normal' have caused problems. We've struggled to match a specific way of living and our pursuit of conforming to mainstream ideals has led us down a path where we grapple with fitting into a limited set of notions. Strangely, trying to be the same as everyone else just makes us feel even more alone.

So, a souldier's battle doesn't unfold on conventional battlegrounds. Their struggle takes the form of a spiritual and psychological conflict. I believe their resolution lies in the safe spaces where individuals can experience safety, understanding, acknowledgment, acceptance, and love for their authentic selves. These nurturing spaces exist within various avenues of therapy, each offering a path towards achieving this profound purpose.

I share all of this because, like many others, I have discovered that the journey of the souldier resonates deeply with me. This blog describes my personal initiation and realization as a souldier through my experience with Introspective Breathwork^TM Therapy. The Calling

In 2021, I worked as an Environmental Scientist at a respected engineering firm, where I managed environmental assessments and permits for roadway projects across Florida. Even though I felt secure in this position, took pride in the effort it took to reach this position, and appreciated the independence it offered, a sense of profound emptiness lingered. However, I couldn't envision an alternative career direction. After all, I had invested eight years in pursuing a scientific education and career.

Feeling unfulfilled, I found myself dedicating all my spare time to numbing my emotions and seeking validation through substances, social media, television shows, and excessive eating. Despite my efforts to explore various roles within the environmental sector, I encountered positions with essentially the same responsibilities I was already performing. I was desperately clutching at possibilities to transform my situation, all while evading the idea of making major changes in my outward world.

In October of 2021, I was involved in a car accident while traveling to a job site. Following the accident, I received a diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as I grappled with a range of challenging symptoms. I had been experiencing memory loss, difficulties with speech, migraines, blurred vision, persistent ringing in my ears, problems with balance, daily panic attacks, and uncontrollable bouts of crying.

My healing journey demanded extensive time off from work and I was let go from my position as an Environmental Scientist as a result. I experienced overwhelming grief and more guilt at this loss, and I was questioning almost everything about the state of my life. With the support of my friends and family, I made the decision to take as much time as needed to cultivate a healthier state of mind and forge a new path forward for myself.

Following the completion of my TBI therapies, I embarked on a journey into holistic healing, starting with meditation. As I continued exploring different modalities, I eventually discovered breathwork.

My first encounter with breathwork occurred under the guidance of my kundalini instructor. She introduced me to several pranayama techniques during a yoga session, and I was astonished by the profound impact these techniques had on me. The experience immediately sparked my curiosity, prompting me to seek further instruction from her in a one-on-one setting. This practice proved to be even more potent than meditation, as it not only induced relaxation within my body but also triggered awakenings of truths I had been neglecting.

During this period, I received an invitation to take part in a 'breakthrough breathwork' session, guided by a local sound healer and hypnotist whom I had come to deeply appreciate. But this breathwork was different from what I had been doing already. It involved rapid, open-mouthed breathing in 5-minute intervals, spanning a total of 40 minutes. Throughout the session, I felt powerful physical sensations, and afterwards, I experienced a newfound lightness in both my body and mind. The effects of this practice left me intrigued and I was eager to explore further.

A month later, I found myself attending my second 'breakthrough breathwork' session. Surprisingly, I was the sole participant for the session, which led the facilitator to offer me a personalized one-on-one experience. Using a blend of hypnotherapy and breathwork, the intention was to explore memories and emotions associated with my earliest experiences of rejection. During the session, I unexpectedly recollected a seemingly insignificant childhood conflict. With the facilitator's skillful guidance, I came to realize that this seemingly trivial incident had played a pivotal role in my subconscious decision to mold myself into someone else for the sake of gaining approval. I was stunned by this revelation, particularly considering that I had more painful and memorable moments of distress that remained easier to recall.

The session provided a deep clarity concerning the aspects of myself that I had suppressed since childhood. This marked the first instance where I granted myself permission to express these concealed parts openly. The experience sparked within me an increased curiosity and passion for breathwork. So much so that I decided to explore educational institutions that offer this form of breathwork.

Enter OBI. Different from the rest, my initial consultation wasn't with a marketing team, but rather with the founders of OBI, Lisa McNett and Deborah Dickey. During this call, they engaged me in a genuine conversation about my personal journey, demonstrating curiosity and empathy for my experiences, motivations, and challenges. In that moment, I felt sincerely acknowledged and understood. Their guiding motto that 'all the answers you seek are within' resonated deeply, inspiring a certainty that I had finally discovered where I wanted to study.

A New Way of Being

Witnessing my own transformation through Introspective Breathwork^TM Therapy at OBI was an incredibly empowering, emotional, and enlightening journey, and my healing continues to evolve even years later. The path hasn't always been straightforward or easy, yet it has undeniably been deeply rewarding.

Through breathwork, I've transcended my tendencies towards people-pleasing and self-negation, evolving into an authentic version of myself that possesses the art of self-sufficiency. Armed with my personal experiences and acquired skills, I strive to inspire and guide others on their paths to embodiment. I stand now as a souldier – a warrior who eagerly battles against division and passionately works to restore unity and balance to the human race. I inhale compassion and exhale love, extending it to myself and all sentient beings. I embrace my unique life journey with unwavering acceptance, wielding the strength of my story. Through it all, my breath carries the mission of empowering and freeing us from the bondage of our societal standards.

I breathe as a souldier.