The way we breathe

[Gem]

There are reasons for breath meditation which are not commonly understood, for the breath is more than a 'focus object', and the purpose is more than concentration/attention span.

The journey of breath meditation is from the hard, solid reality to the subtle, dynamic reality. If we understand that we can be purposeful.

The other aspect of the journey is from ignorance to wisdom through a process of insight into the truth about oneself. For example, the purpose isn't to make the mind go quiet, but rather, to discover how noisy the mind actually is. It isn't to improve concentration and attention span, but to reveal the extent of one's skittishness and distraction. It is to find what is actually going on with oneself.

The meditation practice has to enhance these ends, and that sets the context of the discussion.

Cheers Guys, I look forward to what you will say.

[blossomingtree]

It's so simple that ego misunderstands.

https://www.budsas.org/ebud/ebmed087.htm

[blossomingtree]

Originally Posted by Gem

There are reasons for breath meditation which are not commonly understood, for the breath is more than a 'focus object', and the purpose is more than concentration/attention span.

The journey of breath meditation is from the hard, solid reality to the subtle, dynamic reality. If we understand that we can be purposeful.

The other aspect of the journey is from ignorance to wisdom through a process of insight into the truth about oneself. For example, the purpose isn't to make the mind go quiet, but rather, to discover how noisy the mind actually is. It isn't to improve concentration and attention span, but to reveal the extent of one's skittishness and distraction. It is to find what is actually going on with oneself.

The meditation practice has to enhance these ends, and that sets the context of the discussion.

Cheers Guys, I look forward to what you will say.

I was trained to be with as it may. But "if you want to think about something, save it for later"

Whilst the purpose isn't to make the mind go quiet, per se, especially at the beginning, silence/quiescence is an undeniable side effect IMO.

It is my belief that a silent mind is the achievement of the Elders, but this comes about naturally, over time, as purification/unravelment/relinquishment occurs and one increasingly sees things "as they are".

As to the breath, yes, fundamentally much more full of potential than chasing any 'exalted' state - which ultimately, this too shall pass.

[Ariaecheflame]

Cool - good points.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by blossomingtree

I was trained to be with as it may. But "if you want to think about something, save it for later"

Sounds like a good idea.

Whilst the purpose isn't to make the mind go quiet, per se, especially at the beginning, silence/quiescence is an undeniable side effect IMO.

Yes.

It is my belief that a silent mind is the achievement of the Elders, but this comes about naturally, over time, as purification/unravelment/relinquishment occurs and one increasingly sees things "as they are".

Sure, makes sense.

As to the breath, yes, fundamentally much more full of potential than chasing any 'exalted' state - which ultimately, this too shall pass.

Yes, not to chase a special experience - just feel the breath, but try to feel the subtlest aspect of the breathing sensation as is possible.

Just feeling the easy to feel overall breath is OK and all good, but to feel the finest detail of the breathing sensation enhances the acute sensitivity of perception.

It is best to feel the air in the nostrils and/or under the nose somewhere, as this is more conducive to feeling subtle sensation.