Awareness Of Breath

Welcome to this brief mindfulness of breath practice.

Coming to a sitting posture,

Although this practice could be done standing or lying down,

If you are on a chair or cushions,

Sitting upright with your head balanced over your shoulders and your hands resting lightly on your lap.

Losing your eyes if you are comfortable with this or allowing the gaze to fall to the floor in front of you.

Coming to a posture embodying an alert presence and dignity.

Coming to stillness.

Allowing yourself to become aware of the sensations of breathing.

The breath is interesting in that it is both voluntary and involuntary.

We can manipulate the breath or simply allow it to be as the body is automatically breathing itself.

Sitting here in awareness at the interface of the doing and being modes of mind and choosing to shift out of the doing mode,

Not manipulating the breath in any way,

Simply observing the sensations of breathing as they are presenting in the body.

Perhaps,

Noticing the coolness of the air as it is entering the nostrils or perhaps the gentle rise and fall of the chest or sensations of movement in the belly.

Bringing your full attention to the place in the body where you are feeling the sensations of breathing most vividly,

Holding your attention here as best you can.

Despite the intention to focus on breathing,

You may have noticed that your attention moved away.

And when you notice,

Simply noting what is on the mind.

Thinking,

Thinking,

Worry,

Memories,

Planning.

And patiently,

Gently returning your attention to the sensations of breathing.

Seeing what is arising in awareness and choosing to bring your attention back to the breath over and over and over.

In this way,

Mindfulness of breathing becomes like an anchor to the present moment.