Witnessing Sustainability: Lessons from Breath, Body, and the Great Container

Today, I sat in meditation, coupling two audio guides: Nothing Here but You by Mooji and a Breathing Routine led by Wim Hof.

These practices, seemingly distinct, merged into a profound moment of insight about sustainability — within myself and the world around me.

As I followed Mooji’s guidance, I became acutely aware of what he refers to as the "natural functioning" of all that is. Within me, my heart continued to beat, my cells continued their endless dance, and my body held its structure. Around me, the air existed, the earth remained, and life unfolded. It all sustained itself, without my interference, yet I also recognized its fragility and eventual end.

Then as I went into the breath holds with Wim, I became aware of the same underlying "functioning" of things. Holding my breath longer than usual, I felt a surge of energy — a charge that illuminated the miracle of life’s balance. But there was a limit. I could only hold my breath for so long. To hold on forever would mean death. Breath sustains my life, yet it also demands release. In that rhythm of inhale and exhale, I saw sustainability as a cycle: the ebb and flow, the holding and letting go. Not only was I witnessing a "natural functioning" that occurs, I realised I was witnessing a "sustained functioning" of all that is.

Then, in the midst of this reverie, another cheeky little need arose — the urge to pee! At first, I chuckled at the simplicity of it, but then I noticed the deeper lesson. Here was another balance: an urge to hold versus an urge to release. The urge to go felt stronger, yet I wasn’t moving. It struck me how much effort, or perhaps will, is sometimes required to let go and change the state of things.

Sustainability as a Rhythm

This experience revealed an essential truth: sustainability is not about indefinite stasis but about dynamic balance. Just as breath cannot be held forever, nothing in life can be sustained by rigidity. Nature itself thrives on cycles — the turning of seasons, the tides, the pulse of growth and decay. To sustain anything — whether within ourselves or in the world — we must allow for flow.

The act of letting go is as vital as the act of holding. This applies not only to our breath or bodily functions but also to our emotions, thoughts, and even our impact on the world. What do we cling to out of habit or fear? What might we release to create space for renewal?

The Great Container

In my meditation, I also glimpsed a larger truth: we all exist within a vast container — a shared space of life and death. This container sustains us, yet it is greater than us. It holds not only the cycles within our bodies but also the intricate systems of the earth and cosmos. Our individual sustainability is entwined with this larger whole.

Recognizing this interconnectedness fosters both humility and wonder. While we are sustained by forces far beyond our control, we also contribute to the balance of the whole. Every breath, every action, every choice ripples outward.

Humour: Humanity's Greatest Medicine?

And then there’s the humour of it all. That moment of needing to pee reminded me how deeply human we are. Even in the midst of profound insights, our bodies have their own rhythms and needs. It’s a playful reminder that life’s wisdom often hides in the mundane and reveals itself in humour.

An Invitation to Wonder

This meditation led me to witness sustainability as both a personal and universal practice. Is It about embracing the rhythms of life?: holding when it’s time to hold, releasing when it’s time to let go, and trusting the cycles that sustain us all.

I invite you to pause, breathe, and notice what sustains you. What are you holding onto? What might you release? And how might you align your inner rhythm with the great container we all share?

If you're interested in developing wholistic practices and aligning yourself with the great container, you might consider working with me.

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