| The ease and simplicity of breathing meditation | | | | 4. Don't force breath meditation if you find |
| allows people to practice it on their own, without | | | | concentrating difficult - steady and slow your |
| attending meditation or yoga classes. The | | | | breathing and watch what is does to your body |
| relaxation techniques of meditation breathing are | | | | without thinking too hard about the speed of the |
| based on the practice of traditional Buddhist | | | | breath. Try not to lose concentration, but if you |
| Vipassana meditation, where you focus on | | | | do just allow the mind to enter back into the |
| breathing to get away from your thoughts and | | | | meditation experience naturally. |
| become more relaxed. | | | | 5. If your mind starts over thinking accept it and |
| It's important to realize that you don't have to | | | | quickly return back to your breath and how the |
| worry about reaching enlightenment to enjoy the | | | | air brushing against your skin feels. When you first |
| advantages of deep breathing meditation. | | | | begin meditating your mind will have a tendency |
| Practicing a brief Vipassana session every day to | | | | to wander and fill up with thoughts. As long as |
| alleviate stress and unwind the body is what most | | | | you understand that it's natural for the mind to |
| practitioners aim for. | | | | drift without being overly concerned about it, you'll |
| Breath Meditation: A How-To | | | | be able to remain focused. |
| 1. Find a fairly dark, calm, relaxed place to | | | | 6. Continue to guide your thoughts back to your |
| meditate. This will make it easier to concentrate | | | | breathing every time the mind drifts, but don't |
| on your breath. Avoid distractions and seat | | | | dwell too long on the fact that you have let your |
| yourself in a comfortable position, holding your | | | | mind wander. Just remain aware of your breath |
| back straight with your shoulders down and back. | | | | and continue to meditate. |
| Loosen up your extremities and begin by | | | | 7. Experiment with various types of breathing until |
| breathing slowly and serenely. | | | | you find meditation techniques that you like. If |
| 2. Pay attention to your breath and avoid thinking | | | | long breathing isn't your forte try short breathing, |
| about anything else. Don't let your mind stray to | | | | fast breathing, slow breathing, deep breathing, or |
| other thoughts that may try to enter your | | | | shallow breathing. To keep your thoughts in check |
| consciousness and cause distraction. Rather, | | | | more easily you have to discover a breathing |
| whenever a thought pops up let it go and put | | | | pattern you can use. The method differs |
| your focus on the simple act of breathing in and | | | | depending on the person. |
| out. | | | | Breath meditation is beneficial for soothing the |
| 3. If you have trouble staying focused, notice how | | | | mind and calming the body. It can also help people |
| your breath feels when it travels across your skin | | | | with pain or illness because it teaches you to |
| located under the nostrils and above the upper lip. | | | | better control your body by harnessing the |
| How does it feel? Do you feel the oxygen | | | | power of your mind. |
| circulating throughout your body? | | | | |