This interview with Dennis Lewis was first published in the Fall 2000 issue of The Empty Vessel, A Journal of Contemporary Taoism. Dennis Lewis lives in Scottsdale, 'round the corner from Julie, and teaches breath-work and related disciplines. It will be presented in three parts. Intimate stuff, this breathing . . .

Empty Vessel: What can you tell us about the work that you do?

Dennis Lewis: My work, including natural breathing, qigong, tai chi, and meditation, is oriented toward helping people discover a sense of their own real wholeness. It is based on the fact that most of us lose ourselves constantly in one or another side of ourselves--in our thoughts, emotions, sensations, and so on. As a result, we live fragmented, dishonest, and disharmonious lives. And while we might agree intellectually that this is true, many of us are not convinced enough to actually undertake the demanding work of self-awareness and self-transformation, a work that begins with learning how to sense and observe ourselves sincerely, to listen impartially to ourselves in action. Since our breathing both reflects and conditions the various sides of ourselves, a vital part of this process involves work with breath.

First we spoke in this space of the seven capital sins. The series enjoyed a wide repercussion among readers, which made me very happy. But what about the seven cardinal virtues?

The sins come before the virtues. As a wise man said, he who has not sinned has no merit in his virtue – because he has not overcome any temptation. Most holy men of any religion generally lead a dissolute or apathetic life before they dedicate themselves to the spiritual quest.

So, since the series on sins has come to an end, and following the logic of the path of Light, we shall dedicate the next columns to the seven cardinal virtues, beginning with Faith. They are derived from the sum of three theological virtues, plus another four based on Plato which were adapted by Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas (there are many divergences regarding the four complementary virtues, so I have decided to choose the more conventional list).

I'll never forget my first Rebirthing Breathwork session. Not for what happened during that session or the changes I could see in my life afterwards. I guess it was the shock. I was completely flabbergasted by the simplicity. I wanted it to be more complex - or rather, my mind wanted to complicate it!

This article was first published in Inner Self September 2008 edition, reproduced here with permission of the author

Depression, a word that has entered into all our lives at some stage. It may be a state that you have felt yourself or someone close to you has been feeling depressed, maybe a family member has been through the condition or still is in that state of dis-ease. Friends, family or self, it doesn't matter, it is not a comfortable place to be. The condition of depression is described as ‘a depressed mood, low self esteem, feelings of guilt and regret, lack of interest in life and work, low energy and in some cases, loss of appetite and sleeplessness'.This should not be confused with state of grief, which is experienced after a loss of some kind.

Nobody is courageous all the time. The unknown is a constant challenge, and being afraid is part of the journey.

What to do? Talk to yourself. Talk alone. Talk to yourself even if others think you have gone crazy. As we talk, an inner force gives us the security to overcome the obstacles that need to be surmounted. We learn lessons from the defeats that we are bound to suffer. And we prepare ourselves for the many victories that will be part of our life.

And just between you and me, those who have this habit (and I'm one of them) know that they never talk alone: the guardian angel is there, listening and helping us to reflect. What follows are some stories about angels.