Breath Mindfulness

“ If you’re breathing, there is more right with you than wrong”, says Jon Kabat-Zinn. 

There are many ways to practice mindfulness. In practicing breath mindfulness, we pay our undivided attention to our breath. Breath is the link between the body and the mind.Breath is the anchor that keeps our mind focused on the present moment, from moment to moment.The breath helps us focus our attention so we can avoid autopilot.

Practicing Mindfulness of Breathing:
Posture: Sit comfortably in an upright position on the floor or in a chair with your hands on your knees or in your lap or  you can lay down on the floor or in the bed placing your hands up by your side.

Following the breath. Let your breath breathe you.You allow your breath to move at its own pace. You go with the flow of your breath.Feel the breath, observe the breath moving in and out turning into its own rhythm. Feel the texture of the breath in the belly and the movements of the abdominal wall.Become aware of the movements and sensations of the breath as you inhale and exhale. Become aware of the clarity and intensity of the breath in any part of your body such as your throat, mouth or nostrils. Let your breath breathe you.

Working With Wandering Mind
It is normal for the mind to wander, ruminate, dwell on the past or get hijacked by the future. When you notice your mind wandering, simply acknowledge and gently bring your mind back to breathing. Pay attention to your breath precisely and gently, coming back again and again to the breath. As is our breath, so is our mind and as is our mind  so is our breath. Breath and mind are interlinked.

This  formal mindfulness meditation practice is an inner work. Make a commitment to yourself to practice it regularly and consistently. You cultivate the skill of focusing and centering. The breath does not try to go anywhere. As in breathing so in life.We can be present to our life. We can learn a lot from the natural rhythm, flow and pace from practicing mindfulness breathing. The breath teaches us how to be steadfast and still. It helps us not to get blown away by every wind and the ups and downs, and twists and turns of life.It helps us to be balanced. It helps us relieve our constant head trips and chattering and lets the brain rest. It invites us to rest, recover  and recuperate. Gentle and deep breathing oxygenates each cell of our body. It helps us  create a relaxation response in the stressful world we live in. Regular practice of mindfulness breathing could save us from overheating,burnout and breakdown.
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So, let us practice mindfulness breathing as a gift we give to ourselves. May we attend to our life giving and life nurturing breath and share our gift with others.