Three Deep Breaths: Finding Power and Purpose in a Stressed-Out World

by Thomas F. Crum

""Three Deep Breaths uses the popular parable format to illustrate an effective antidote to anger, stress, and overwhelming busyness. Through the story of a harried worker struggling to balance work, life, and family pressures, readers learn three different ways to use breathing to live in the present, think positive thoughts, and release negativity and judgment. By actively practicing the prescribed breathing exercises, readers maintain clarity and purpose even when confronted with the most chaotic and stressful environments. Straightforward and easy to learn, these simple centering techniques can be done in as little time as it takes to walk to the next meeting.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

120 pages, Hardcover

First published May 8, 2006

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Under a hundred pages, this slender volume describes a process for responding to day to day conflict and stress by training yourself to take three deep breaths: the centering breath, the possibility breath, and the discovery breath. Telling the story through an everyman character, Angus, Thomas Crum shows that centering yourself and responding to conflict and stress does not take time, it takes intention. This short read provides a nice reminder that we have control how we respond to the challenges in life and that “centering is a journey, that starts with breathing.”

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book explains how to manage stress with a story. I liked his concepts of taking three breaths to center oneself. Three Deep Breaths
1) The Centering Breath: Breathe in the present moment with balance and energy.
2) The Possibility Breath: Breathe in the "me I want to be" with power and purpose.
3) The Discovery Breath: Breathe in the Mystery, let go of judgment.
It will take continuing in mindfulness path in order to allow that to happen more spontaneously.

[Kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heard about this one on Oprah and Friends XM Radio. It's told in parable format - that's kind of goofy, but I did enjoy learning about the breathing techniques.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story about a man who is a day learns to slow down to bring happiness into his life.

[Lyndsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

totally cheesy but makes great points.. it's a fast read which makes the cheese bearable.. very Alchemist like...

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great message, but the delivery was a bit too corny and didactic for my taste.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Be happier and healthier by the practice of mindful breathing daily. Also see documentary Happiness 101