The Shaman was returning back to the village after gathering herbs in the forest. Passing the pool which was just outside the village, he once again noticed the boy he had spoken with a few days previously.
The boy was sitting on the bank next to the pool. He appeared very tense. As the Shaman got closer he could see that the boy was red faced. He appeared to be holding his breath. Then the Shaman saw him open his mouth and try to gasp in a little more air.
"What are you doing?" he asked the boy. The boy held on for a few moments longer before finally losing control. As the breath rushed out of him, a look of disappointment could be seen in his face and his body language.
"I am trying to get more air," said the boy. "My father told me that the air we breathe contains the very stuff of life. So I am trying to get more. But it is no use. I try and try but I cannot hold onto it. If anything I feel worse."
The Shaman smiled a wise smile at the boy and sat silently for a few moments. The boy watched him with expectation.
"Try this," the Shaman eventually said. "Rather than breathing in, breathe out as hard and as far as you can and see what happens. Do it several times."
The boy did as he was told and at the end of every out breath he found he was powerless to prevent a great lungful of air rushing into his body. After repeating this for a minute or so he felt wonderfully invigorated.
"I don’t understand," admitted the boy.
"Your breath is one of the many energy cycles of Life," the Shaman said. "You must never block the cycles. If you want to receive more, first you must create the space to receive, by letting go of what you have. This is a fundamental principle. Carry it with you throughout life. You are a channel. You must never hoard. You must never block The Flow. If you do, you will always create the tension that you were feeling just now. Think about this in all aspects of life. Always start with the out breath. The vacuum it creates will be naturally and effortlessly filled. The Flow never stops unless you block it. No need to worry. Be the channel. Allow The Flow. Always start with the out breath, and you will always be filled."
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