@Heather Clawson I like your description 'calmly choosing'. I've been beginning to realise before I read that - that I don't calmly choose but that's exactly it.

Helpful. The first thing I am saying is change nothing. So tempting to want to change something. "In your own time". Yes. I say no to taking a breath in before it's ready. It'll come. I then say no to making it deeper and accept how shallow it is. But then the pause (not the holding of it) as you say to allow the outbreath to occur deeply until the in breath just has to come without doing it. I think this seems to be where I am up to. The positive happy thought makes sense too. I've so far noticed that this work makes me want to yawn and take a deeper breath without even trying. It seems so child like and natural. This in itself makes me want to 'smile' and move. I reckon that I interfere with the outbreath. But then the subtle thing as soon as the idea of breath work comes, I begin to interfere more. So the teaching on allowing is so very interesting. Thank you again James.

Then I let go of it all again. I am beginning to think the 'self' just 'loves' suggestive 'nudges', 'prompts' to 'have permission' so to speak for things to work. I am very curious about the do and the non-do. I hope I am learning to be absolutely okay with non-do. I am so outcomes based. It's deeply drummed into me. Outcomes outcomes outcomes. It's emotional to know that end gaining for outcomes in all this is problematic. I see - 'to slow down'. Thank you. This is where I want to go. It is trusting the fact that 'less is more' I suppose?

An effective reminder of principle and breath that just allowed me a way out of some strain of 'feeling' overwhelmed just now. Thank you.