Should one literally think “I am breathing in long, I am breathing out long.”












4














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?










share|improve this question



























    4














    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?










    share|improve this question

























      4












      4








      4







      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?










      share|improve this question













      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






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











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      share|improve this question










      asked Nov 25 at 4:08









      Sermo

      1382




      1382






















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          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







          share|improve this answer































            0














            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.






            share|improve this answer





















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              2 Answers
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              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







              share|improve this answer




























                5














                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







                share|improve this answer


























                  5












                  5








                  5






                  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







                  share|improve this answer














                  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








                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Nov 25 at 6:35

























                  answered Nov 25 at 5:21









                  Dhammadhatu

                  1




                  1























                      0














                      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.






                      share|improve this answer


























                        0














                        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.






                        share|improve this answer
























                          0












                          0








                          0






                          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.






                          share|improve this answer












                          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.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Nov 26 at 14:32









                          Bwrites

                          15516




                          15516






























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