Becoming known as the Buddhist therapist was the last thing that Canadian born Robert Beatty would have imagined for his life back in 1971 as a twenty- something traveling through India with the love of his life. Fortunately it was at that point that the woman of his dreams let him know that he was not the man of her's. Crushed, he took refuge in a meditation retreat and it was there that he got his first taste of the peace, silence, and awareness that can be found when the incessant jibber-jabber of the mind is hushed.

Thirty eight years later, he is well known for his work as a psycho-therapist who synthesizes Western psychotherapy with Buddhist psychology and meditation as the founder of the Portland Insight Meditation Center, and for teaching mindfulness meditation in Portland on Sunday nights since 1978.

"Mindfulness" says Robert, "is awareness without judgment. It is non-judgmental awareness of what is going on inside your mind and body, as well as what is going on outside." The ground floor of that practice, which Robert learned in India in 1971, is mindfulness of the breath ...

• Sit and relax.
• Then very attentively, notice the birth of the next breath. When does it really start? Observe it during its rising stage and as it decelerates near the top of the breath.
• Notice the slight pause at the top, like a roller coaster getting ready to start down the hill.
• Now experience the ride, the journey, as the exhale happens - and then it's gone.
• Then simply be in the moment - and notice when the next breath is born.

Do two of those. That will provide several instances of actually being in the present moment. And when one is in the present moment, awareness is alive and awake and the crazy mind is not in charge. What's there is awareness.

For more information visit www.portlandin sight.org and click on "meditation." Robert also recommends reading:

• "Mindfulness in Plain English" by Henepola Gunaratana
• "The Power of Mindulness" by Nyanaponika Thera
• "Full Catastrophe Living" by Jon Kabat-Zinn

For a running dialog of the latest in breathing ideas, techniques, success stories, and more, visit our Perfect Breath Blog . Get answers to your questions, share your experience and expertise with others, and stay abreast of the latest science, research, and technology. Here are the latest headlines:

• The Top 5 Things You Need To Do To Play Your Best Golf
• A 15- Minute Breath Program to Help You Sleep
• International Festival of Voice
• Ivanovic uses the breath to beat Safina for her 1st Grand Slam title
• Buddhist builder buried alive, used meditation to conserve breath

Our new book, "Perfect Breathing: Transform Your Life One Breath At A Time" (Sterling Publishing, New York City), hits bookstores and online retailers January 6, 2009. It's a book that can change your life. In it, we illuminate a simple, dynamic pathway to limitless human potential based on not only some of the most contemporary scientific information ever compiled, but on centuries-old teachings and techniques. We share simple awareness tools, techniques, information and insight from influential people from all walks of life and professions who have harnessed the energy of the breath and who offer personal and inspirational experiences that give potent testimony to the influence conscious breathing can provide.

Pre-order your copy today at Barnes & Noble Online and at Amazon.com

Planning your next health fair? Looking to spice up a corporate retreat? Need a keynote speaker, guest lecturer or presenter?

Seasoned speaker, teacher and dynamic presenter Al Lee can custom-design a Perfect Breath program that will show you how to use your most powerful source of energy - your breath - to dramatically improve your health, performance, and emotional well-being. You can learn the same techniques that are used by competitive athletes, fighter pilots, mountain climbers, performers, and healing professionals of all kinds to elicit the most from their minds and bodies.

Coming Up
Perfect Breathing with Al Lee
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008
6:30-8 p.m.
Sunset Athletic Club
13939 NW Cornell Rd
Portland, OR 97229
(503) 645-3535

For Perfect Breathing Seminar bookings email Al Lee at: al@perfectbreathing.com and visit him at www.perfectbreathing.com

• Breathe In Spiritual Fitness (NewsBlaze - Folsom,CA)

• Creating mind, body & spirit health - one peace at a time (Java Journal, St. Louis,Missouri)

• The best way to survive the Democratic National Convention? Just breathe (LA Times Online)

• Meditating through mental illness (Globe and Mail Online/Toronto)

• Program offers chance to Unwind Your Mind (Dearborn Press and Guide - Dearborn,MI)

Thanks for being part of Perfect Breath. Stay tuned! If you have comments, questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,