buddhist mindful breathing, anapanasati
DESCRIPTION
Breathing as the link between the conscious and unconscious mind. Breathing is the only vital function of the body that straddles the border of voluntary and involuntary control. Left unattended, breathing occurs as spontaneously and naturally as heartbeat. When controlled by mind, breathing becomes as deliberate as walking and can be made to regulate many other major functions, including pulse, blood pressure, digestion metabolism and more. The respiratory system has both voluntary (sympathetic) nerves and muscles and involuntary (parasympathetic) nerves and muscles. Breath is considered the only voluntary function in the body that can influence the involuntary nervous system. Breath forms the bridging connection between mind and body.TRANSCRIPT
Anapanasati: Breathing in Only
He sits very straight, maintaining mindfulness before him. He lets go of all his cravings. He calms and clarifies his body and mind. He eliminates the five hindrances—craving, anger, dullness, agitation, and suspicion—and all the other afflictions that can weaken his understanding and create obstacles for him in his progress towards nirvana. Then he practices as follows:
1. 'Breathing in, I know I am breathing in.
2. 'Breathing in a long breath or a short breath, I know whether it is a long breath or a short breath.
3. 'Breathing in, I am aware of my whole body.
4. 'Breathing in, I calm my whole body.
5. 'Breathing in, I experience joy.
6. 'Breathing in, I experience happiness.
7. 'Breathing in, I am aware of the feeling [that is present now].
8. 'Breathing in, I calm the feeling [that is present now].
9. 'Breathing in, I am aware of the activity of mind [that is present now].
10. 'Breathing in, I make the activity of my mind happy.
11. 'Breathing in, I bring right concentration to bear on the activity of my mind.
12. 'Breathing in, I liberate the activity of my mind.
13. 'Breathing in, I observe the impermanent nature of all Dharmas.
14. 'Breathing in, I observe the letting go of all Dharmas.
15. 'Breathing in, I observe no craving with regard to all Dharmas.
16. 'Breathing in, I observe the nature of cessation of all Dharmas.
"Bhiksus, that is the practice of conscious breathing, whose function it is to calm the body and mind, to bring about right mindfulness, looking deeply, and clear and single-minded perception so that the practitioner is in a position to realize all the Dharma doors that lead to the fruit of nirvana." —Samyukta Agama, Sutra No. 803 translated from the Chinese HI