If we explored the roots of the word, “conspiracy,” we would find that Old French and Latin roots define ‘conspiracy’ as literally ‘breathing together.’ But the word has taken on a newer connotation of gathering to plot some negative action. I prefer the original meaning because of the richness in the idea of breathing together, especially as a conspiracy of love.
Breathing is so automatically a part of living that we often take it for granted — until we have difficulty breathing, sometimes brought on by ill health or challenging conditions in life. But, breathing is essential to living and the source of our being. To paraphrase a poem by Rumi, only breath is our being. Although I have been breathing, literally all my life, breathing together has a special meaning for me.
A few months ago, I organized a twice monthly group meditation at my home. A small group of women meet at my home for silent, sitting meditation and discussion. We also share a meal and discuss whatever has meaning in our lives. We conspire, breathe together, and in the stillness know the power of Spirit as we experience who we are.
What I have noticed is that we breathe together, but at different paces. Our breaths, inhaling Spirit and exhaling Spirit, touch our hearts in different places, and play with our senses in different ways, yet our unique experiences are shared at a spiritual level. When we describe our experiences after meditation, so often they are ineffable yet understood; individual, yet collective; and sometimes puzzling yet joyful. There is no striving for perfection, but relaxing into the present moment. With our causeless inward smiles we taste the love and peace of Spirit.
Breathing is a natural process of inviting in and letting go. It is a model of the comings and goings of our life experiences. If we hold our breath deliberately for too long, it can be life threatening. We know at an unconscious level that we must let go of breath in order to continue breathing. So it is with the process of joyful living. We must let go of many fruitless ideas and old hurts that threaten our well-being, so that we can enjoy the full breath of our lives.
If we breathe deeply, we can be in the present moment, as our breath opens a space for us to be still. In the stillness, we realize that we are not alone. We are always breathing together. As C. Joybell reminds us, “I am never alone wherever I am. The air itself supplies me with a century of love.”
When we breathe together there is always enough air for all of us. When we share the breath of life with others, we trust ourselves and others; we listen deeply; our weariness transforms and we are energized. Breathing together is the essence of joy and love. And, as Osho once said, “the moment love arises in the heart, all fear disappears, light has come, and no darkness is found.” Let us conspire to breathe together in love and joy not only with family and friends, but with all spiritual beings. I am convinced that conspiratorial breathing is being fully alive in the present moment with Spirit.