One of the oldest Muslim mystical sayings talks about the process of achieving a more refined spiritual consciousness consisting of the following steps:

Hoosh dar dam: To become mindful and aware of one’s breath

Nazar bar qadam: To have one’s eyes on one’s feet. Literally, to watch where you are and where you are heading

Khalvat dar anjoman: To maintain a practice of solitude and full presence, even and especially in the midst of the hustle and bustle of crowd

It all begins with becoming aware of the breath.

Omid Safi, Learning How to Breathe Again