Can one benefit from doing only breathing meditation?

[Ervin]

Hi, I am not a Buddhist but I like a lots of suff that Buddhism teaches. Like one of my favourite ethicists is a monk called Hsing Yun, his book being good is to me probably the best book on ethics. I am like an Omnist, I believe there is truth everywhere.

Anyway, I plan on ordering two books from Hsing Yun. One of them is a book on meditation called Only the great rain since I plan on meditating.

Now my question is: Is it beneficial doing only breathing meditation or wich is called mindfullness meditationI think?

Thanks

[gregkavarnos]

Now my question is: Is it beneficial doing only breathing meditation or wich is called mindfullness meditationI think?

Anapanasati is the correct term. Sati means mindfulness, Anpana means breath. Mindfulness of breath. An extraordinarily beneficial practice. I practiced anapanasati, solely, for about 12 years. It is a fantastic form of meditation which is beneficial for all "personality" types. I cannot even begin to tell you how beneficial it is.

The following are links to a number of free pdf books on the technique:
http://www.noblepath.info/recommended_b ... athing.pdf
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/anapanasati.pdf
The Theravadra Sutta that the technique is based on:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

[Ervin]

I believe you Greg. Meditation, like any other work on improving ourselves should have good results. I have just ordered two books, one of them is called:"Only the great rain" written by master Hsing Yun, wich is a Buddhist meditation book . I think he is more into I don't know how you classify it but the meditation were you are not going through stories in your head if you know what I mean.

Anyway, I think being persistent on daily basis is very important.

Oh, and thanks for the PDF!

Thanks

[Wesley1982]

Natural breathing techniques do not neccessarily have to be Buddhist.

[gregkavarnos]

Your point being?

[Wesley1982]

natural breathing technique is not exclusively Buddhist.

[gregkavarnos]

Well thanks for clearing up that issue for me! If I did not understand your point when you said it the first time, what makes you think I will understand it if you just repeat yourself? Please remind me not to enter into discussion with you again.

[Wesley1982]

Ok, sure.

[Spirituality]

The only type of person I know of who won't benefit from breathing meditation are people, like me, with issues with breathing, which make it harder to calm down when trying to focuss on the breath than without. Just try it: calming meditation (of which breathing meditation is the most used form) is the basis of all other types.

[Will]

The only type of person I know of who won't benefit from breathing meditation are people, like me, with issues with breathing, which make it harder to calm down when trying to focuss on the breath than without. Just try it: calming meditation (of which breathing meditation is the most used form) is the basis of all other types.

What do you mean 'issues with breathing'?

[Spirituality]

The only type of person I know of who won't benefit from breathing meditation are people, like me, with issues with breathing, which make it harder to calm down when trying to focuss on the breath than without. Just try it: calming meditation (of which breathing meditation is the most used form) is the basis of all other types.

What do you mean 'issues with breathing'?

Respitory problems. Suffice to say that on and off trying to focuss on my breath makes it shallower and actually decreases my calm. I guess it's related to sometimes (more off than on) suffering from hyperventilation. I think Thubten Chodron somewhere made a connection with childhood illnesses. I picked up on that because I frequently had bronchitis as a kid.