We can begin by consciously breathing, slowly and evenly–the same innate, deep “belly breathing” we did when we were a baby, or the easy, appreciative breaths we naturally take when we feel peaceful, safe, and happy. Breathing slowly and deeply clears our mind, opens our awareness to our deeper peaceful nature. This way of breathing allows our mind, emotions, and body to relax.

Though it is similar to the centered mind/emotions/body state we can achieve through meditation, this open-eyed view of the self is our “yang” expression, as opposed to the “yin” of meditation. In this state of mind/emotion/body balance, or heightened consciousness, we begin to change our attitudes toward fear and anxiety, and become the master of our fears and master over the reactions that, up until the moment that we acknowledged them, had been running on “automatic pilot.” A mind at peace is capable of seeing a situation in a new way. It is open to inspiration, creativity, and problem solving. Emotions that are calm and steady are able to respond positively to new insight rather than reacting, often blindly or irrationally, from “knee-jerk” emotional patterns. A body that is relaxed, rather than tense, has more energy and is more capable of healing.

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