One of the ways Chodron talks about breathing is breathing in the dark and heavy and breathing out cool and light.

She teaches the Tonglen practice (briefly it is):

1) resting your mind
2) visualize breathing in what is hot, dark and heavy and breathing out light, cool, and bright
3) breathing in a painful situation close to your life and breathing out relief or whatever will help situation
4) extending thoughts during breathing in #3 to any who are suffering from a similar situation.

Over time and continued practice, it’s a way to become more compassionate for yourself and others.

I’ve been trying it over the past few days for family who are going through tough times and friends who are not feeling well. I’m not sure that it’s helping them, but it is helping me, although I find myself having to take cleansing breaths every so often. It’s difficult to visualize breathing in pain and not be affected by it. I guess that is part of the point.