Difference between revisions of "Mindfulness of breathing"
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| − | [[Mindfulness of breathing]] ([[ānāpānasati]]) is the most basic and also the most popular [[form]] of [[Buddhist]] [[meditation]]. The [[Buddha]] said: ‘When [[mindfulness]] of {{Wiki|breathing}} is developed and cultivated, it is of great fruit and {{Wiki|benefit}}.’ (M.III,82). Those doing this [[meditation]] will sit in a comfortable [[posture]], usually cross-legged and with a straight back, and try to gently focus their [[attention]] on the in-and-out movement of the [[breath]]. As they gradually proceed, they will more quickly [[notice]] when their [[attention]] strays and be able to return it to the [[breath]]. Thus they will develop enhanced [[concentration]]l disciplineand [[physical]] and [[psychological]] [[relaxation]]. As the practice matures, [[concentration]] should be allowed to give way to [[mindfulness]], i.e. rather than trying to control the [[attention]], one simply becomes aware of what is happening from moment to moment. This [[physical]] {{Wiki|comfort}} and [[mental]] [[alertness]] is the first step in controlling the [[mind]] so that it can be understood and eventually freed. | + | [[Mindfulness of breathing]] ([[ānāpānasati]]) is the most basic and also the most popular [[form]] of [[Buddhist]] [[meditation]]. The [[Buddha]] said: ‘When [[mindfulness]] of {{Wiki|breathing}} is developed and cultivated, it is of great fruit and {{Wiki|benefit}}.’ (M.III,82). Those doing this [[meditation]] will sit in a comfortable [[posture]], usually cross-legged and with a straight back, and try to gently focus their [[attention]] on the in-and-out {{Wiki|movement}} of the [[breath]]. As they gradually proceed, they will more quickly [[notice]] when their [[attention]] strays and be [[able]] to return it to the [[breath]]. Thus they will develop enhanced [[concentration]]l disciplineand [[physical]] and [[psychological]] [[relaxation]]. As the practice matures, [[concentration]] should be allowed to give way to [[mindfulness]], i.e. rather than trying to control the [[attention]], one simply becomes {{Wiki|aware}} of what is happening from [[moment]] to [[moment]]. This [[physical]] {{Wiki|comfort}} and [[mental]] [[alertness]] is the first step in controlling the [[mind]] so that it can be understood and eventually freed. |
| − | The [[Buddha]] said: ‘Just as in the last month of the [[hot]] season when dust and grit blow about and an unexpected shower of [[rain]] immediately settles it, so too, [[mindfulness]] of {{Wiki|breathing}}, when developed and cultivated, is [[peaceful]] and [[sublime]], a [[pleasant]] way of living and it dispels and settles [[evil]] unskilful [[thoughts]] immediately.’ (S.V,321). The famous | + | The [[Buddha]] said: ‘Just as in the [[last month]] of the [[hot]] season when dust and grit blow about and an unexpected shower of [[rain]] immediately settles it, so too, [[mindfulness]] of {{Wiki|breathing}}, when developed and cultivated, is [[peaceful]] and [[sublime]], a [[pleasant]] way of living and it dispels and settles [[evil]] unskilful [[thoughts]] immediately.’ (S.V,321). The famous {{Wiki|psychologist]] {{Wiki|William James}} made a similar point only in {{Wiki|modern}} [[language]]: ‘The [[faculty]] of voluntarily bringing back a wandering [[attention]] over and over again is the very [[root]] of [[judgment]], [[character]] and will. No one is compos sui ([[master]] of himself) if he has it not. An [[education]] which would improve this facility would be the [[education]] par [[excellence]].’ |
| − | Breath by [[Breath]], Larry Rosenburg,1999. | + | [[Breath]] by [[Breath]], Larry Rosenburg,1999. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=266 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=266 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:02, 2 October 2015
Mindfulness of breathing (ānāpānasati) is the most basic and also the most popular form of Buddhist meditation. The Buddha said: ‘When mindfulness of breathing is developed and cultivated, it is of great fruit and benefit.’ (M.III,82). Those doing this meditation will sit in a comfortable posture, usually cross-legged and with a straight back, and try to gently focus their attention on the in-and-out movement of the breath. As they gradually proceed, they will more quickly notice when their attention strays and be able to return it to the breath. Thus they will develop enhanced concentrationl disciplineand physical and psychological relaxation. As the practice matures, concentration should be allowed to give way to mindfulness, i.e. rather than trying to control the attention, one simply becomes aware of what is happening from moment to moment. This physical comfort and mental alertness is the first step in controlling the mind so that it can be understood and eventually freed.
The Buddha said: ‘Just as in the last month of the hot season when dust and grit blow about and an unexpected shower of rain immediately settles it, so too, mindfulness of breathing, when developed and cultivated, is peaceful and sublime, a pleasant way of living and it dispels and settles evil unskilful thoughts immediately.’ (S.V,321). The famous {{Wiki|psychologist]] William James made a similar point only in modern language: ‘The faculty of voluntarily bringing back a wandering attention over and over again is the very root of judgment, character and will. No one is compos sui (master of himself) if he has it not. An education which would improve this facility would be the education par excellence.’
Breath by Breath, Larry Rosenburg,1999.
