Mindfulness of Breathing Meditation  

Mindfulness itself can be practiced at all times, not just on the meditation cushion. Just being aware of our body and its movements, of our thoughts and feelings, as we walk to work or do the washing up, or as we sit at our computer, can help to develop a calmer and more peaceful mind. Or actually listening to people when we are talking with them, really hearing what they are trying to say rather than drifting off on our own trains of thought. Or noticing the simple beauty of the world around us, whether in the grass and the trees or the sky above us. Simple attention to our experience can have a radical effect.

Focusing on the breath is one of the simplest and most widely practiced of all meditations. But this simple practice can have profound effects as we learn to focus our minds and become calmer and more integrated. In this practice, we are not trying to empty our minds of thoughts or suppress our mental activity – rather we are just steadily working to bring our mind and heart into focus and harmony around a single object. The breath is an ideal object for our focus because it is a tangible experience, helping us to ground our mental activity in our body. Also, even if you are not meditating, you can bring your attention to your breath at various points during the day, helping to calm and focus yourself at moments of stress or busyness.

Some Benefits of the Mindfulness of Breathing Meditation practice

People who practice the mindfulness of breathing regularly over a period of months and years often notice some of the following benefits –

• a calmer and less busy mind and heart
• increased ability to avoid and/or deal with stress
• greater awareness and appreciation of the world around them
• greater ability to concentrate and become absorbed in what they are doing
• improved physical, emotional and mental health

Other Resources

Aside from the drop-in meditation classes and courses we run at the Buddhist Centre, you may want to take advantage of the following resources to support your meditation practice.

• The Breath by Vessantara – a short book in the ‘Art of Meditation’ series exploring the mindfulness of breathing meditation.
• Change your Mind by Paramananda – a very readable introduction to meditation generally.
• Mindfulness of Breathing meditation CD – 2 different lead-throughs of the mindfulness of breathing meditation practice.

  All of these are usually available in the Buddhist Centre shop, along with meditation mats, stools and cushions.