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Breathing technique
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Breathing technique
by meiji1 » Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:41 am
How should you breathe while doing shamatha? A bit of background: I'm somewhat tall and very lanky. My lung collapsed when I was 17, and my posture has always been pretty horrible. I can't sit comfortably for long in meditation, mostly due to back pain, which I suspect comes from the way I normally breathe. Today I tried breathing with my diaphragm rather than my chest, and I was MUCH more comfortable. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of conscious effort to keep to that style of breathing, which detracts from my meditation. I'm surprised this subject isn't more thoroughly addressed in the few instructional books I've read.
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Re: Breathing technique
by gregkavarnos » Sun Jul 24, 2011 10:46 am
Dear Meiji1,
Shamataha is not about breathing techniques, it is a meditational technique concerned with awareness of the breath "as it is".
It is NOT about guiding or manipulating the breath. It is about being aware of your breath. Initially aware of the inhalation and exhalation OR the quality of the breath, ie if the inhalation is shallow or deep (but note that even with this meditation one is merely aware of the quality of the breath, one does not try to manipulate the breath, or get into analysis like: "this inhalation is shallow, should it be shallow? maybe it should be deep? I know, I will make the next one deep. yes that's it, now I am breathing correctly! ad nauseum...) OR the contact the breath makes at the tip of the nose as it enters or exits.
Shamatha is about awareness, it just happens to take the breath as an object with which to practice awareness.
The breath will do what it needs to do, don't worry about that!
As for the back pain, sit on a chair for longer meditation periods. For the shorter ones use the "correct" posture, with time you will find it comfortable. Until that itme comes though you still need to practice with your mind!
In closing, if you want to do breathing techniques find yourself a good teacher. Over-exertion during breathing techniques can actually damage the lungs, seeing how you already have a problem with your lungs you don't want to cause any more!
Shamataha is not about breathing techniques, it is a meditational technique concerned with awareness of the breath "as it is".
It is NOT about guiding or manipulating the breath. It is about being aware of your breath. Initially aware of the inhalation and exhalation OR the quality of the breath, ie if the inhalation is shallow or deep (but note that even with this meditation one is merely aware of the quality of the breath, one does not try to manipulate the breath, or get into analysis like: "this inhalation is shallow, should it be shallow? maybe it should be deep? I know, I will make the next one deep. yes that's it, now I am breathing correctly! ad nauseum...) OR the contact the breath makes at the tip of the nose as it enters or exits.
Shamatha is about awareness, it just happens to take the breath as an object with which to practice awareness.
The breath will do what it needs to do, don't worry about that!
As for the back pain, sit on a chair for longer meditation periods. For the shorter ones use the "correct" posture, with time you will find it comfortable. Until that itme comes though you still need to practice with your mind!
In closing, if you want to do breathing techniques find yourself a good teacher. Over-exertion during breathing techniques can actually damage the lungs, seeing how you already have a problem with your lungs you don't want to cause any more!
"Meditation is familiarisation with realisation"
Jigten Sumgon Gonchig: The Single Intent, the Sacred Dharma
"Oh great bodhisattva, you ought to understand the quintessence in this way: Whatever appears is one in its suchness. It cannot be falsified by anyone. The sovereign of unconceptualised sameness dwells in the spirit of the Dharmakaya which cannot be cognised."
The All Creating Sovereign, Mind of Perfect Purity.
Jigten Sumgon Gonchig: The Single Intent, the Sacred Dharma
"Oh great bodhisattva, you ought to understand the quintessence in this way: Whatever appears is one in its suchness. It cannot be falsified by anyone. The sovereign of unconceptualised sameness dwells in the spirit of the Dharmakaya which cannot be cognised."
The All Creating Sovereign, Mind of Perfect Purity.
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