Hello,
I'm sorry if this would be more suited for the Introduction To Theravada subforum.
Anyway...
I'm a relative beginner. I've been practicing Anapanasati for a few months, and I try to attend a meditation with a Sri Lankan bhikku once a week (metta + anapanasati). Often, while meditating, I seem to be unable to tell whether or not I'm thinking. The space seems to be empty, but I feel like there is more going on than I am aware of. Sorry, it's hard to describe... does anybody know what I'm talking about?
Also, I find it very difficult to breathe unintentionally. I begin to worry if I'm suppressing the breath intentionally, etc
Thanks
A few Anapanasati questions
Re: A few Anapanasati questions
The important thing is to try and not breath intentionally. It may be difficult at first but as you continue, you should relax. As far as not telling what you are thinking - its just an artefact of practice. Its nothing to be concerned about but do ensure that you are maintaining awareness of the object of meditation and to consistently apply the instructions you have been given.blo0mz wrote:Hello,
I'm sorry if this would be more suited for the Introduction To Theravada subforum.
Anyway...
I'm a relative beginner. I've been practicing Anapanasati for a few months, and I try to attend a meditation with a Sri Lankan bhikku once a week (metta + anapanasati). Often, while meditating, I seem to be unable to tell whether or not I'm thinking. The space seems to be empty, but I feel like there is more going on than I am aware of. Sorry, it's hard to describe... does anybody know what I'm talking about?
Also, I find it very difficult to breathe unintentionally. I begin to worry if I'm suppressing the breath intentionally, etc
Thanks
kind regards,
Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
Re: A few Anapanasati questions
I don't think we should do any effort to try not to control the breath, because then we try to control the absence of control on the breath... just creating more knots. The only thing we have to do is to check that we are not making a particular effort to control the breath. Controlling the breath is imo also an artifact just like wandering thoughts that will naturally disappear without specific effort to achieve this aim.
Where knowledge ends, religion begins. - B. Disraeli
http://www.buddha-vacana.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.buddha-vacana.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
-
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 7:25 am
Re: A few Anapanasati questions
I agree with these answers, blo0ms.
If you try to control the breath, you will put even more hard work on your practice then you already have. Meditation itself is hard work where you'll be busy enough to force your mind to the object of meditation (like the breath) again and again, until you attain some access concentration. That forcing is also simply called "concentration" (or samadhi), and it is already hard enough. So don't carry such an additional burden!
If you try to control the breath, you will put even more hard work on your practice then you already have. Meditation itself is hard work where you'll be busy enough to force your mind to the object of meditation (like the breath) again and again, until you attain some access concentration. That forcing is also simply called "concentration" (or samadhi), and it is already hard enough. So don't carry such an additional burden!
-
- Posts: 10179
- Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:32 am
- Location: Andromeda looks nice
Re: A few Anapanasati questions
As the mind begins to calm one becomes more aware of stuff that is usually "below the surface" - this is quite normal. Just be aware of this and return to the breathing process.blo0mz wrote:The space seems to be empty, but I feel like there is more going on than I am aware of. Sorry, it's hard to describe... does anybody know what I'm talking about?
Also, I find it very difficult to breathe unintentionally. I begin to worry if I'm suppressing the breath intentionally, etc
Buddha save me from new-agers!