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Meditation in words: A slow focused inhale, followed by a pause under pressure, next the slow exhale releases the pressure, ending with a calm pause.
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Repeat 1,000 times. Now let’s dive into the minutia of the breath.
The pauses are similar to suspended animation, nothing is moving, silence is the deepest.
The first pause mixes with the energy we use to suspend the breath, holding back the pressure in the lungs.
The second pause happens with us at complete rest.
You can hear the inhales and exhales, however soft. Practice.
The lungs fill, expand, then empty, this all has movement and sound, the pauses are silent, nothing is moving.
Perfect time to feel the tiniest body sensations, time to observe gently and release.
Each breath brings two pauses, two chances to deepen our focus.
I love this focus on the breath and body when trauma stops responding to my efforts to heal.
When I sit (meditate), I am focused on the next 30 minutes, PTSD drops away.
I can own 30-minute intervals, that’s power in my battle.
We need power over PTSD, even if it is temporary.
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PTSD - A Way Out.com 
Posted by rudid96 on January 18, 2022 at 8:18 pm
Mindful Marty, what visual picture you gave in the power of the pause. Good to return to your home base. Glad you’re finding peace there.
Posted by Marty on January 18, 2022 at 9:23 pm
I first dug out of this hole using my most basic, simplest skill
Focus on the breath
Posted by rudid96 on January 18, 2022 at 11:57 pm
You shared much about following the breath a while back. I printed each of those posts. I find myself using those every evening and when triggered during the day. Most recently, I noticed it’s become a part of each day. That’s how I know there’s been some personal growth.
Posted by Marty on January 19, 2022 at 1:50 am
Our shield or sword however you name it
Must be bulletproof
My focus following the breath is the simplest most bulletproof skill I have
I can focus and sit in the middle of my trauma
Has taken many hours of practice
However I get lost, then depression enters
My shield works best on trauma
Depression is more challenging
It seems to rev up and it takes a while to apply the brakes
The other thing
My practice travels with me anywhere I go