Breathing... hmmm... :)

Breathing in, I know I’m breathing in.
Breathing out, I know I’m breathing out.
In... Out...
Breathing in, my in-breath has become deep.
Breathing out, my out-breath has become slow.
Deep... Slow...
Breathing in, I feel calm.
Breathing out, I feel at ease.
Calm... Ease...
Breathing in, I smile.
Breathing out, I release all my worries and anxieties.
Smile... Release...
Breathing in, I dwell deeply in the present moment.
Breathing out, I know this is a wonderful moment.
Present moment... Wonderful moment...

Thich Nhat Hanh

Oneness, Co-Creation and New Possibilities For a Breathing World

I have been an unconditional fan of the International Breathwork Foundation (IBF) and its Global Inspiration Conferences (GIC) for many years. GIC 2010 was my 10th GIC, but my goodness, it was of another kind altogether, like we all had walked into a higher dimension, co-creating our daily reality in harmony, living as one. It was magical, it was easy, and it was natural.

“Growing Together” was the theme of this year’s conference, setting the scene like a mega-intention of co-creation with the Universe.
In his excellent keynote speech about “The Evolution of Consciousness from Systemic to Holistic”, Dr Wilfried Ehrmann defined pointers such as “multidimensionality vs duality”, “surrender to the present moment”, “power independent of people”, “work as service”, and “every breath connecting us to the whole”. As the week went by, we were able to identify every single one of these pointers in our actual daily experience.
It was an unforgettable experience and represents, in my opinion, a huge milestone in the history of IBF, and a message of hope for humanity!

What happened really and what were the ingredients of such a phenomenon?

Firstly, the GIC 2010 Organising team, under the very inspired leadership of Manuel Atienza, was a model of love, service and dedication. Throughout two years of dedicated GIC preparation they appeared to have become as one. The love and respect they had for each other (and for the participants) was palpable and the presentation they gave at the talent show was a testimony to the fun and joy they experienced together. The venue they had chosen was exceptional, nestled half way between heaven and earth, with magnificent surrounding views. We had the place for ourselves and everything was running perfectly, apparently effortlessly. On the far horizon the sacred mountains of Montserrat seemed to be watching over everyone.

The IBF Task Force too worked smoothly together during the conference as they had been throughout the previous year thanks to regular cyber-conferences. There was trust among them and lots of love and fun. It was magical to witness how IBF National Coordinators, Integrity Committee or Admin Team members naturally took on additional responsibilities. One of such initiative was the spontaneous organisation of a Task Force breathing circle at the end of a rather frustrating voting session. We all postponed our lunch to lie down and breath together. It was so good that we regrouped everyday after the AGM to support each other, and for the sheer pleasure of breathing together.

Within the IBF’s unique peer-based GIC structure, it is traditionally the participants who actually provide the conference’s substance, as several spaces are available for them daily to offer breathwork workshops, facilitate group discussions or present keynote speeches. In a perfect model of smooth co-creation, GIC 2010 participants were magnificent and shared very generously their wisdom and skills. Every morning the spontaneous offer of appealing workshops got bigger. Even the “siesta” slot was filled with not-to-be-missed opportunities to learn and grow.
As for the daily AGM slots, which are in themselves a very interesting model of co-creation, there was an additional opportunity to share inspiration and move the organisation on further, with ease and grace.
At the end of each afternoon, everyone met in the main marquee to hear about the latest development in breathwork or related domains through fascinating specialised lectures given by our eminent keynote speakers. A great characteristic of GIC is that keynote speakers also spend the whole week at the conference as participants, being available for further questions and also having the opportunity to learn from their peers. Michael Brown, author of “The Presence Process”, an excellent book offering a journey into present moment awareness, was one of them. Not only the various talks he delighted us with, but also his sheer presence throughout the week, were gentle reminders for us to be living in the present moment.

In this space of high vibrations, I found it both exhilarating and effortless to be in the moment – moment by moment – looking at how best I could align my intention to the conference’s theme and let miracles happen. Sometimes it just meant that I should go and lie down in the welcoming shade of a tree. Other times, it meant meeting with the AT and ICs until past midnight to discuss a delicate matter, or on one occasion, screaming in a breathing session to get the energy moving, or sharing my heart with someone I was carefully trying to avoid.
Synchronicity was noticeably at play all the time, love was bountiful, Presence was … present.

Since the year 2000 when I first attended GIC in Italy, I naturally took on a Task Force job, as IBF is where my passions for the world, its communities and the breath easily come together. Over the years I have witnessed how wholeheartedly IBF members and GIC participants have contributed to make IBF what it is today, an inspiring organisation with a magnificent mission statement, a sound constitution, a worldwide member base of breathworkers with the possibility of making a big difference in the world. There have been many challenges with such a multicultural structure, not only because of the different languages or time zones involved, but also due to the fact that breathworkers are individualistic, outspoken people, and that they are committed to fight for what they believe in.

The GIC 2010’s “Dome of light and love”, this experience of oneness, of being part of a universal consciousness is the result of all the years of dedication, enthusiasm and love put into the IBF and its GICs since its creation in 1994.
I am forever grateful for all those who were ever involved.

I believe that with GIC 2010, we have all stepped into a new paradigm, from which there is no going back. These are exiting times! Make sure you share them with us by booking yourself on GIC 2011 in Ecuador from the 24th of June to the 1st of July 2011 (www.GIC2011.com).

Brigitte Martin Powell October 1010

President of the International Breathwork Foundation (IBF) www.ibfnetwork.com
Director of the Avalon Institute of Rebirthing (AIR) www.rebirther.co.uk