Taoist immortality practices framed the breath as a bridge to the divine

Evidence

The Chinese ingeniously combined religion and life prolongation efforts through Taoism, a belief that promotes living in harmony with the Tao, an ineffable spiritual force that governed all existence. The Taoists worked industriously to prolong their lives. One could also become an immortal spirit, or hsien, directly, by perfecting the techniques of longevity. … By strictly adhering to certain respiratory, dietary, gymnastic, and sexual practices, the Taoists hoped to prolong existence; breathing, in particular, was considered a bridge between the human and the divine, since air, by virtue of touching the heavens, was considered more pure and active than humans. — Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, Tom Pyszczynski, The Worm at the Core, 368

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to Pauline Oliveros’ Deep Listening breathwork and the soundscape idea of breath as bridge.