Long Live !

Is this blessing relevant today?

Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash

Have you ever wondered how our ancestors had managed to survive the challenges of time without the medical advancements we have today? Despite lacking antibiotics, vaccines, or modern diagnostic tools, they had developed a deep understanding of their environment through observation, trial and error, and traditional knowledge passed down through generations.

Ancient societies had established healing methods using herbal remedies, physical therapies, and spiritual practices. They had relied on the natural world to treat wounds, manage illnesses, and prevent diseases. Beyond medicine, their strong communal bonds had fostered knowledge-sharing and mutual support during sickness or hardship. Their resilience and adaptability had ensured human survival, forming the foundation for our existence today.

Among the many techniques developed by our ancestors, one particularly profound practice was the mastery of breathing techniques aimed at enhancing health, balance, and longevity. The Siddhars, for example, had believed that controlled breathing could unlock the body’s potential for a longer, healthier life.

The Breath-Mind Connection

Our breath is more than just a vital function — it is a reflection of our internal state. Consider how we check for fever by feeling someone’s forehead. This external heat reveals an internal condition. Similarly, our breathing patterns provide insight into our mental state. Rapid, shallow breathing often indicates stress, while slow, deep breaths reflect calmness.

Even modern medical science acknowledges the significance of breathing patterns. Respiratory rate is a key metric in assessing overall health, but its direct correlation with mental well-being remains underexplored. Traditional wisdom, however, had long emphasized this link, suggesting that by consciously observing our breath, we can influence our state of mind.

Why Measure Exhaling Length?

The length of exhalation reflects our mental and emotional state. Ancient wisdom suggests that as exhaling length shortens, mental clarity and spiritual growth increase. The Thirumanthiram explains that exhaling patterns shift during different activities, such as walking, running, fighting, sleeping, or meditation. It highlights that the more a person is attached to worldly desires, the longer their exhaling length becomes. In contrast, those who had detached from materialistic concerns experienced shorter exhalations, leading to profound spiritual benefits.

According to Siddhar teachings, if the length of both the inhaled and exhaled breath is 12 inches, one could live a full 120-year lifespan without illness. When the exhalation length is reduced to 11 inches, greed begins to subside. At 10 inches, the search for wisdom begins. When the exhalation length reaches 9 inches, discernment between the necessary and the unnecessary develops. As the exhalation continues to shorten, higher levels of self-control and spiritual enlightenment are attained. The mind reaches deep meditation when the exhalation length is at its shortest possible level.

Real yogis, living in deep meditation, often had imperceptible breathing, demonstrating mastery over their breath and mind.

Siddhars have given the breakdown on the inch-calculation of breath in their books *Agathiyar Gnana Sara Nool, Auvaiyaar Uyar Gnana Sara Nool, Thirumanthiram — a Tamil Scriptural classic by Siddhar Thirumoolar , and Saranool Saathiram.* No other book has the depth of insight about breath as found in these books.

Methods to Measure Exhaling Length

Ancient texts such as the Thirumanthiram by Siddhar Thirumoolar, along with other Siddhar writings, provide in-depth insights into breath observation and its impact on longevity and spiritual growth.

Using a Glass Surface:

1. Early in the morning, breathe onto a mirror or phone screen.
2. Observe the vapor marks left by your breath.
3. Move the surface farther away and repeat until no marks appear.
4. The distance where marks stop forming indicates your exhaling length.

Using a Silk Thread:

1. Hold a thin silk thread close to your nostrils and exhale.
2. The thread will wave due to the force of your breath.
3. Move the thread further down and repeat until it no longer moves.
4. The last point of movement shows your exhaling length.

Breathing Rate and Longevity: What Science Says

Observing different species, we see a clear correlation between respiratory rate and lifespan.

Table showing correlation between respiratory rate and lifespan for various species

The pattern in the above table suggests that species with faster respiratory rates tend to have shorter lifespans, while those with slower rates live longer. The fast-breathing rabbit lives 9 to 12 years, while the slow-breathing tortoise exceeds 150 years. This observation aligns with traditional teachings: the slower the breathing rate, the longer the life.

Bridging Ancient Wisdom with Modern Science

Tools like spirometry measure the volume and speed of air inhaled and exhaled, helping to diagnose respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD. Another method, peak flow measurement, determines how quickly air can be exhaled from the lungs and is often used to monitor asthma. Pulse oximetry measures the oxygen saturation in the blood, giving an indirect view of lung function, while capnography assesses the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air. Additionally, forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and tidal volume (TV) are measurements used to evaluate lung health and breathing efficiency. These tools provide us with a deeper understanding of how our breath functions and reflect our overall health. Though modern science and technology have developed numerous advanced tools to measure various metrics within the body, none have yet been used to directly assess the state of the mind. This is not to undermine the incredible progress made by modern medicine and technology, which has provided invaluable insights into physical health.

CTA: Exploring the Power of Breath

In this article, we’ve explored how analyzing breath patterns can deepen our understanding of health, longevity, and consciousness. My hope is to inspire researchers and medical professionals to examine respiratory rate as a potential indicator of mental well-being. For individuals, practicing breath awareness can serve as a valuable tool for self-assessment and personal growth.

By embracing both ancient wisdom and modern science, we can unlock new pathways to wellness — where something as simple as observing our breath can lead to a healthier, longer, and more mindful life.

We commonly use the blessing “Long Live!” to wish someone a long and healthy life. However, for this blessing to truly manifest, we must focus on slowing our respiratory rate and gaining control over our exhalation. It is through this mindful regulation of breath that we can align ourselves with the essence of the blessing, fostering longevity and vitality.

A full version of this discussion is available in the *Kindle edition.*