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How to focus on the breath?
santhisouk
Veteran
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".
I actually hum "om" mentally after noticing each breath. This is much easier than trying to use a whole sentence such as "comes out with a short pause" for thought. Also it's probably not a good practice to think in sentences because you can get caught up in random thoughts. So when I breathe in short..I think "short om...", and when I breathe out long with a pause..I think "long, pause om....". "In deep and long om...." "out long om..." the "Om" makes all the difference because it helps anchor my focus to my breathing. Does anyone else do it this way?
with metta
I actually hum "om" mentally after noticing each breath. This is much easier than trying to use a whole sentence such as "comes out with a short pause" for thought. Also it's probably not a good practice to think in sentences because you can get caught up in random thoughts. So when I breathe in short..I think "short om...", and when I breathe out long with a pause..I think "long, pause om....". "In deep and long om...." "out long om..." the "Om" makes all the difference because it helps anchor my focus to my breathing. Does anyone else do it this way?
with metta
0
Comments
Spiny
I'm actually going try out different methods and see what works the best.:)
with metta
Counting provides a non-discursive support. Numbers are just numbers, neither good nor bad nor needing any additional thoughts. Breaths are as long or as short as they want to be. No discussion.
Just some thoughts.
I'm going to try that out. Thanks
Whatever helps you keep paying attention - is alright. It does not matter if you hum "om" or not, what matters is that you look at what is going on as closely as you are. It should be like watching clouds, the shape of them is not important, but noticing that each one, like you, is unique. You can count too, if that works, but eventually it is good to relax efforting to minimum and just be.
Don't worry about what others are doing, everyone has their own wonder-filled experience - in and out - moment by moment.
Its all we have!
May you be happy, may you be free from suffering, may you be at peace.
metta
___________________
@TiaP Good for you! I've practiced 40 years and never made it to 10.
the breath will be the grossest sense object
the breath will come to the mind
its like if you are interested in a certain woman. you play "hard to get"
:mullet:
But then eventually I relax again. That coming back is dynamic. Its always letting go and always getting stressed. Something is happening, don't know how to explain it.
When I come back I connect with the wish to have peace and letting go. I release that like a karate kai though letting go instead of tensing (not sure how kai is done).
Quite often I note the feeling of my body. I do use the breath but it is more of a breathing out and letting go. That is what I note rather than the air sensation. I might notice my seat or my nose or something else but I don't hold my attention steady and ground myself.
Instead I would say my meditation is about 'coming back'
it can be an act of love.
Interesting analogy.... ;-)
Spiny