Principal’s Perspective: Breathing Well

I was the plenary speaker at the Joe R. Engle Institute of Preaching at the Princeton Theological Seminary in June. I presented five lectures on the theme of ecology in preaching. 
 
In the first session I talked about preaching using the four elements of life as air, fire, water and earth, and I focused mostly on air. In the English-speaking world we often fail to connect the scientific concept of the atmosphere, the outer envelope of the planet we inhabit, with the intimate substance that we breathe: the air that fills our lungs. 
 
In the language of the Bible, however, these concepts are fused. The Hebrew word that refers to air, atmosphere, wind and spirit is the same, ruach. Humans breathe the same substance that every creature on the land, including plants and trees, inhales. It is the same substance that makes the trees move, that carries clouds from afar and that enfolds the earth. Ruach gives life to all things. 
 
In Korean, breath is pronounced “Soom” (숨), a word that is also used to mean “life.” Breath is life. This is a wisdom found in all the spiritual traditions I know. Many religions teach that focusing on our breath can take us to a place where we feel connected to the ultimate divine mystery. 
 
This summer was a time of sadness for my family. My dad died of lung failure. He was recently diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis but had been doing well. When the end came it was unexpected. Suddenly, he could not breathe. Grieving my dad’s passing has brought me into a deep reflection on breath and its meaning. 
 
I know that some of our students are working this summer in dire situations where the breath of life hangs by a thread. I know many are engaged in struggles for justice in situations where the oppressed are calling out, “I can’t breathe!” I know that many are trying to live by and teach to others the principles whereby the practice of breathing in prayer leads to just relationships with others and with the divine. 
 
One place where I felt the breath of life most vividly this summer was at the Pride Toronto parade. A group from Emmanuel represented the college at the parade with the help of Andrew Aitchinson, admissions counsellor at Emmanuel College. In the crowd, I felt my breath quicken. I felt the joy that comes with a great exhalation of a laugh. I felt the deep peace of that deep inhalation of courage and solidarity. The trees waved at us, and the cool breeze offered welcome relief from the summer heat. Ruach! Soom! 
 
I pray that you will all likewise be comforted and inspired by the leaves dancing in the summer breeze, the breath of the earth, the breath of justice and the breath of life. 
 
—Principal HyeRan Kim-Cragg