With Every Breath, Life Flirts with Death

Note:  This following oversimplification of the cardiovascular system and the biochemistry of ATP production is adequate for this presentation.

What sounds a bit morbid is actually a beautiful statement of the wonders of life.  A full breath includes the inhalation of air which oxygenates the blood to be delivered to the cells.  Oxygen is the crucial element supplied to the cells in order for energy to be created (ATP) for mitochondria which is central to metabolism that supports the life of the cell and by extension the life of the organism.  The poisonous by-products of cellular life, which includes carbon dioxide are transferred to the circulatory system to be expelled from the lungs with each exhalation. Without the oxygen the cells die, cease to perform the functions within the organism with death to follow.  This is the result, as well, if the by-products are not eliminated.  And, of course, well before death occurs at the cellular level, without oxygen brain death comes within minutes. 

Inhalation is an inspiration which carries the promise of life as oxygen.  Inspiration is expansive as the expanding  lungs fill the chest cavity.

Tensegrity tells us that when one thing moves (expands) everything moves, therefore an inhalation results in the expansion of all of the processes and structures of the body, e.g. musculoskeletal system, circulatory, nervous, lymphatic as well as all connective tissue.   

Exhalation is an expiration, an expelling of the used and turgid air containing the by-products of the life of a cell, which while poisonous to the organism is used by the environment to allow for plants to exist.   It is also true that an inspiration cannot happen without an expiration just as an expiration cannot happen without an inspiration.  The yin/yang of a breath requires that within each inspiration exists an expiration and vice versa.

 

To expire can mean to die.  Is it also true that to be inspired can enhance life. This yin/yang relationship is the flirtation.  As the inspiration grows there is a sensation of fullness that will soon reach a maximum capacity.  No more oxygen can be inspired within that breath implying that life giving oxygen will soon diminish. The only path forward is for a release, but the expiration seen as a release does not contain any further oxygen.  

At the same time, the oxygen depleted air in the lungs is absorbing carbon dioxide to be expelled in the exhalation.  The contraction of the diaphragm begins the exhalation.  As the lungs empty the absence of oxygen triggers a release of the diaphragm which begins the next inhalation.  It is in these moments when change is needed to keep the life giving breath going that the life or death of the organism comes into question.  The flirtation with death is momentary but dramatic.