The Buddha teaches the wisdom hidden in 'Observing our breathing'.
No matter what we are doing, we need to learn to be aware of our breathing.
Optimal breathing is:
Diaphragmatic
Nasal
Deep
Smooth
Even
Without sound
Without pause
Check this out when you are lying down or sitting still. It doesn't happen all at once or within a particular time frame. A lot of practice is needed.
There are many times during a day that the breathing changes. Once we get into the habit of observing our breathing, we will notice when the breathing has changed. We then need to bring our breathing back to where it was.
Steps that may help:
1. Sit comfortably straight on a cushion, or wherever you feel comfortable.
2. Close your eyes and let your body rest. This will allow the breath to start flowing deeply.
3. Let your breath flow without a pause. Slowly, slowly you will see the breath becoming smooth.
4. You will now find yourself starting to relax. Allow your whole body to relax.
5. Let your attention slowly move through your whole body releasing the tight spots and tensions.
6. Whenever the mind wanders - and it is natural for the mind to wander - bring your attention back to the breathing. (If you give any wandering thought your attention, your energy will get into it and the distraction will result in stress). Keeping the attention on the breathing is a practice that takes time, so don't be disheartened. It needs a lot of practice.
You will see that once this becomes a habit, you will observe your breathing no matter what you are doing...while walking, while working, while washing the dishes, while doing housework, while working out.....no matter where you are or what you are doing, you will observe your breathing.
Observing our breathing helps in many ways. One prime example is when we are stressed or unhappy about something. We need to just stop what we are doing...thinking.........and concentrate on our breathing.
Gradually our breathing becomes deeply relaxing - this is when we know that our session of observing our breathing has been successful. Observing our breathing is the foundation of mindfulness...