Should one literally think “I am breathing in long, I am breathing out long.”
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Per the teachings of the Anapanasati Sutta, should one literally think about what they are doing, or focus on the breath itself?
Meaning, should I think "I am breathing in long," or should I focus on the action of my breath being long?
anapanasati
asked Nov 25 at 4:08
Sermo
1382
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up vote
4
down vote
favorite
Per the teachings of the Anapanasati Sutta, should one literally think about what they are doing, or focus on the breath itself?
Meaning, should I think "I am breathing in long," or should I focus on the action of my breath being long?
anapanasati
asked Nov 25 at 4:08
Sermo
1382
add a comment |
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
Per the teachings of the Anapanasati Sutta, should one literally think about what they are doing, or focus on the breath itself?
Meaning, should I think "I am breathing in long," or should I focus on the action of my breath being long?
anapanasati
asked Nov 25 at 4:08
Sermo
1382
Per the teachings of the Anapanasati Sutta, should one literally think about what they are doing, or focus on the breath itself?
Meaning, should I think "I am breathing in long," or should I focus on the action of my breath being long?
anapanasati
anapanasati
asked Nov 25 at 4:08
Sermo
1382
asked Nov 25 at 4:08
Sermo
1382
asked Nov 25 at 4:08
Sermo
1382
asked Nov 25 at 4:08
Sermo
1382
asked Nov 25 at 4:08
Sermo
1382
1382
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
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up vote
5
down vote
It is not necessary to think: "I am". The mind should know the action of the breath being long or being short. Also, there is really no need to "focus". When the mind is quiet & silent, the mind will know the breathing. Be as silent, still, upright, awake & alert as possible.
Note: At the highest level of practise, the Buddha taught to reflect:
Monks, whatever form, past, future or present, internal or external, coarse or fine, low or lofty, far or near, all that form must be
regarded with proper wisdom, according to reality, thus: 'This is not
mine, this I am not, this is not my self.'
SN 22.59
answered Nov 25 at 5:21
Dhammadhatu
24k11043
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up vote
0
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If it helps you to be in the moment, then by all means do it.
Remember that breathing is just our anchor to the moment, to the now.
Let go of everything else. You can even let go of this idea. As long as the breath brings you to the present moment, it is doing its job.
answered Nov 26 at 14:32
Bwrites
15516
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
It is not necessary to think: "I am". The mind should know the action of the breath being long or being short. Also, there is really no need to "focus". When the mind is quiet & silent, the mind will know the breathing. Be as silent, still, upright, awake & alert as possible.
Note: At the highest level of practise, the Buddha taught to reflect:
Monks, whatever form, past, future or present, internal or external, coarse or fine, low or lofty, far or near, all that form must be
regarded with proper wisdom, according to reality, thus: 'This is not
mine, this I am not, this is not my self.'
SN 22.59
answered Nov 25 at 5:21
Dhammadhatu
24k11043
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
It is not necessary to think: "I am". The mind should know the action of the breath being long or being short. Also, there is really no need to "focus". When the mind is quiet & silent, the mind will know the breathing. Be as silent, still, upright, awake & alert as possible.
Note: At the highest level of practise, the Buddha taught to reflect:
Monks, whatever form, past, future or present, internal or external, coarse or fine, low or lofty, far or near, all that form must be
regarded with proper wisdom, according to reality, thus: 'This is not
mine, this I am not, this is not my self.'
SN 22.59
answered Nov 25 at 5:21
Dhammadhatu
24k11043
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
It is not necessary to think: "I am". The mind should know the action of the breath being long or being short. Also, there is really no need to "focus". When the mind is quiet & silent, the mind will know the breathing. Be as silent, still, upright, awake & alert as possible.
Note: At the highest level of practise, the Buddha taught to reflect:
Monks, whatever form, past, future or present, internal or external, coarse or fine, low or lofty, far or near, all that form must be
regarded with proper wisdom, according to reality, thus: 'This is not
mine, this I am not, this is not my self.'
SN 22.59
answered Nov 25 at 5:21
Dhammadhatu
24k11043
It is not necessary to think: "I am". The mind should know the action of the breath being long or being short. Also, there is really no need to "focus". When the mind is quiet & silent, the mind will know the breathing. Be as silent, still, upright, awake & alert as possible.
Note: At the highest level of practise, the Buddha taught to reflect:
Monks, whatever form, past, future or present, internal or external, coarse or fine, low or lofty, far or near, all that form must be
regarded with proper wisdom, according to reality, thus: 'This is not
mine, this I am not, this is not my self.'
SN 22.59
answered Nov 25 at 5:21
Dhammadhatu
24k11043
edited Nov 25 at 6:35
answered Nov 25 at 5:21
Dhammadhatu
24k11043
answered Nov 25 at 5:21
Dhammadhatu
24k11043
answered Nov 25 at 5:21
Dhammadhatu
24k11043
24k11043
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
If it helps you to be in the moment, then by all means do it.
Remember that breathing is just our anchor to the moment, to the now.
Let go of everything else. You can even let go of this idea. As long as the breath brings you to the present moment, it is doing its job.
answered Nov 26 at 14:32
Bwrites
15516
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
If it helps you to be in the moment, then by all means do it.
Remember that breathing is just our anchor to the moment, to the now.
Let go of everything else. You can even let go of this idea. As long as the breath brings you to the present moment, it is doing its job.
answered Nov 26 at 14:32
Bwrites
15516
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
If it helps you to be in the moment, then by all means do it.
Remember that breathing is just our anchor to the moment, to the now.
Let go of everything else. You can even let go of this idea. As long as the breath brings you to the present moment, it is doing its job.
answered Nov 26 at 14:32
Bwrites
15516
If it helps you to be in the moment, then by all means do it.
Remember that breathing is just our anchor to the moment, to the now.
Let go of everything else. You can even let go of this idea. As long as the breath brings you to the present moment, it is doing its job.
answered Nov 26 at 14:32
Bwrites
15516
answered Nov 26 at 14:32
Bwrites
15516
answered Nov 26 at 14:32
Bwrites
15516
answered Nov 26 at 14:32
Bwrites
15516
15516
add a comment |
add a comment |
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