Breathwork as a Path to Ancestral Memory
There's a statement in the Upanishads that says, "Consciousness is like a kite; Breath is the string that guides it." Breath is very special in our embodied experience because it is at once an autonomic process– a process that happens automatically, which is an important part of how we live– and at the same time, it is an autonomic process that we can mindfully control.
Breath lives at the interface between the unconscious and the conscious. The better we get at controlling our breath, the better we can get at managing the interface between the conscious and unconscious. Every inner spiritual tradition that is worth its weight that has remained intact in some way or other, teaches us that the breath helps the aspirant gain skill in working that boundary between the conscious and the unconscious.
For most people, especially in the industrialized West, our ancestry lives in the connection to our Tree of Heritage, which exists in the unconscious, as we are not culturally trained to maintain an active, conscious, persistent connection to our ancestors. Breath can be a gateway to remembering and connecting to our ancestral heritage. A breath practice helps us settle in the body, inching towards the veil between the seen and unseen. The breath is a means to cool and quiet the mind so that when you are at that interface, your mind is not full of chatter. You can listen better when you are at that interface with controlled conscious breath, because your mind is quiet. This is the sacred teaching of "be still and know that I am."
Our ancestors, the intelligence of creation, Pachamama's heartbeat, all live in the place of silence. There is no better place, no better way than an engaged, conscious breath with a settled and peaceful body to obtain the gift of those connections. In obtaining these gifts, you are gifting your ancestors with your presence. One of my colleagues in a prayer that she often says, calls in the ancestors with, "Thank you, ancestors, we are the reality of your dreaming."
In the timeless space of soul and spirit that we gift our ancestors, we provide Sacred Reciprocity. We engage so that they know their quest of parenting, their quest of life-giving, has been met with the realization of our existence. The greatest tool to get to this realization involves using breathwork as a path to ancestral memory. "Consciousness is like a kite; breath is the string that guides it."
About the Author:
Jeff Firewalker Schmitt is an educator, folk healer, master ceremonialist, musician, and scientist. He has given nearly 200 invited presentations (including a TEDx talk and a keynote at the Global Philosophy Forum) over the past 35 years. His passionate focus is personal and planetary healing, and one of his greatest joys is sharing knowledge and wisdom. He has taught transformative workshops in the US and Europe for the past 25 years. He leads the Eagle Condor Council, one of the premier organizations focused on Andean Nature Mysticism.
Dr. Jeff Firewalker Schmitt, alongside Nelida Vilca Huaman and Rebelino Huaman Cjuiro, Andean shamans from the Chinchero village of Peru, are going to help you move forward strategically and successfully with more clarity and resolve. In their upcoming 5-day workshop at the Omega Institute (Rhinebeck, New York). We will study the wisdom of ancient Andean traditions and apply it to modern change-making initiatives.
According to Andean mysticism, we are in a time of potent transition and opportunity to become powerful change-agents. Let us share with you strategies from the Eagle Condor Council as they apply to sacred entrepreneurship and positive change-making...
Workshop begins Monday, September 1, 2025, at 7:30 pm ET.
Testimonial:
“The ECC Healing Intensive completely shifted my understanding of reality in the best possible way. Jeff is an absolute fountain of knowledge, and makes esoteric, complexconcepts and practices approachable, empowering, and fun. Because of this course, Jeff and his co-teachers, these teachings, and the community I’m now part of, my connection to myself, other people, and the more-than-human world has expanded exponentially. If you’re considering taking this journey, I couldn’t encourage it more.”
-J.M., Pawling, NY
Contact Jeff: jeff@eaglecondorcouncil.org