Shanti: calm stories

Breathing With the Waves

New story · 2 min read · Week 7

Sitting by a calm sea, we take five slow breaths with the waves.

~2 min readFind a comfy spot, rest a hand on your bump, and read slowly.

Hello, little one. It's Mumma. I have a story for you.

Let us sit by the sea... you and I.

The sand is soft and cool under us. A gentle breeze touches our face. The sky is wide and pale blue. In front of us, the sea is calm.

Listen... shhh... shhh... The waves come in slowly. The waves go out slowly. The wave comes in... the wave goes out.

Let us breathe with the waves. There is no hurry. Just easy, natural breaths. Let the air come in on its own... and go out on its own.

One... A wave rolls in. Breathe in... softly. The wave slides back. And out... slowly.

Two... Breathe in... as the water comes up the sand. And out... as it goes back to the sea.

Maybe a busy thought comes in too. That is okay. Let it sit on the wave. Let it float away. The wave comes in... the wave goes out.

Three... Breathe in... and feel the cool air. And out... and feel our shoulders soften.

Four... Breathe in... easy and slow. And out... like the sea, with a long, soft sigh.

Five... Breathe in... The sea is calm. We are calm. And out... Everything is soft and quiet.

Now let the breath move on its own. We do not need to count anymore. Our body knows how to breathe. The wave comes in... the wave goes out.

A little white shell lies near our feet. The water touches it and goes back. Swish... and away. Swish... and away.

We sit here a little longer, safe and warm, together. The sea is breathing. And so are we.

The moral

“Slow breath brings a calm mind.”

Talk to your baby

We breathed slowly, like the calm sea. Breathe with me: in, and out. We are calm together, little one.

Say this aloud, slowly, or in your own words.

I love you, little one. You are safe. We are together.