« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: How to focus on the breath?  (Read 1351 times)

alex wild

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 21
    • View Profile
How to focus on the breath?
« on: June 22, 2011, 06:36:20 PM »
I don't have a problem focusing on the breath, but my technique may be different from others. I just try to follow it as it goes in and as it goes out. If goes in and stopped short, then I think "goes in and stops short". If comes out long with a short pause, then I think "comes out long with a short pause".
Logged

catowoman

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 101
    • View Profile
Re: How to focus on the breath?
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2011, 08:51:17 AM »
I’m curious about the breathing practices. Why would you do it? What does it gives you? How different it is from Yoga and usual meditation?
Logged

littlebird

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 30
    • View Profile
Re: How to focus on the breath?
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2011, 12:55:16 AM »
If I focused on my breath in that way, I would get distracted by the words. I simply feel the breath coming in and out instead of trying to describe it to myself. If I can't help it, I'll visualize my lungs stretching and emptying to keep myself from being distracted.
Logged

R. Paradon

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 49
    • View Profile
Re: How to focus on the breath?
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2012, 04:02:33 AM »
Mindful breathing is a very simple form of meditation and is a nice one because you can do it anywhere and anytime.  I have been taught the following.  When you breathe in simply say or think,  "Breathing in, I know I am breathing in" and when exhaling simple say or think, "Breathing out, I know I am breathing out".   The words can be altered to anything.  If you have a pain for example, you can say, "Breathing in I know I have pain",  While exhaling, "Breathing out, I know the pain will go away."

The beauty of this practice is that you can be driving a car, walking, even at work and practice.
Logged

Sandra Piddock

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 112
    • View Profile
Re: How to focus on the breath?
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2012, 03:19:09 PM »
Quote from: R. Paradon on February 06, 2012, 04:02:33 AM
Mindful breathing is a very simple form of meditation and is a nice one because you can do it anywhere and anytime.  I have been taught the following.  When you breathe in simply say or think,  "Breathing in, I know I am breathing in" and when exhaling simple say or think, "Breathing out, I know I am breathing out".   The words can be altered to anything.  If you have a pain for example, you can say, "Breathing in I know I have pain",  While exhaling, "Breathing out, I know the pain will go away."

The beauty of this practice is that you can be driving a car, walking, even at work and practice.

Thank you, Richard - that sounds a great way to do it, because after a short time, it will become a habit. Since I read this post a couple of days ago, I have been trying this out, and I find it helps me to relax and to clear my mind for sleep. Also, when I am experiencing pain, it helps to take the focus away from it. The more I learn about Buddhism, the more I feel that I can benefit from incorporating elements of it into my own life.
Logged

R. Paradon

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 49
    • View Profile
Re: How to focus on the breath?
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2012, 11:21:55 AM »
Happy that it is helping you Sandra!  As we know, humor is a great part of healing.  One of my monks told me that if I am experiencing pain or discomfort I should say verbally, "Hello Pain!  I hope you are having a good time with me and please hurry and go away!"  It sounds ridiculous and it just about every time I do it I start laughing and it does seem to help!
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »