This is better than seeing me stretching.
Beneficial Breathing Meditation.
A stretching demonstration in a shop window.
After doing my morning exercises a mix of Pilates, Tai- Chi and yoga. I do not do this routine as regularly as I should. Why fight the inevitable. I try to be accepting of the prevailing circumstances. Balance and flexibility are not only a physical concern.
You will have to put up with me for this one.
I usually finish off in the lotus position then meditate on the breath. Actually the whole exercise session is meditating on the breath as the breath is an important part of exercise. Expansion and contraction, inhaling and exhaling in co-ordination with the movements. Relaxing into a stretch, using the breath helps further the range of movement.
A panting by Elioth Gruner Spring frost, to get over the last photo.
Focusing on the breath for a few minutes settles me down. Breathing is the most basic and important thing in life, it simply is life. Sportsmen especially swimmers know the importance of coordinating the breath with actions. Speakers and performers know a few deep breaths calms the nerves before going on stage.
Ox herding sculpture, taken in a watt in Bangkok.
Concentrating on the breath is a perfect focus for meditation practice. When the mind is calmed by focusing on counting each breath, you can progress to other methods of meditation. There are many ways to practice breathing meditation.
One of the 10 ox herding pictures on a temple in Korea.
One may think, ‘one, inhaling with love’ and on the exhale, ‘out with hate.’ ‘Two in with good,’ then ‘out with bad, continuing in this way to six. Then repeat these steps. Using any positive word on the ins and a negative for out. You will find your mind wanders, when this happens do the same as you would if disturbed when reading a book.
Reading an E-book in a quiet place.
We can develop our own method of meditation once the basic breath method is mastered. You will know this when the invasive thoughts die-down. Like a radio tuned in properly there will be no static or what is called the monkey-mind stops its monkey business. Like the ox in the ‘ten ox herding pictures’ the beast is trained it will no longer stray. The mind is still and concentration is not difficult.
This picture shows the trained ox will not stray.
Some days you are focused, other days are difficult the mind wanders and you lose count. Do not let this upset you just return to your chosen focus. If things are too disturbing it is like with reading a book, either put it away till later or move to where there is less distraction. When the mind is calm and under control. Advanced meditations can be practiced to further your understanding of the true nature of things. This is the ultimate goal of Buddhist meditation to reach a state of perfect understanding.
The monkey mind up to mischief.
This is great. I giggled at the pic to get over the last pic. It was a great picture if you!
Pleased you liked it. The picture hangs in Sydney art gallery and is a favourite of mine as it captures the morning so beautifully. Painted by a New Zealand artist,
Wow! Thats incredible.
A lovely and amusing explanation Jack, for which many thanks. You spread the word of these vitally important matters in such a refreshingly gentle and kind-spirited way. _/\_
That is so kind of you to take the time to pay me such a nice complement._/\_
Commendable effort, jack, initiating interestingly into yoga and meditation. You are such a lively example as a practitioner yourself…cheers…!
Thank you Raj, coming from you that is an encouraging comment. _/\_
Aww, I love the pants! And perhaps it’s the swimmer in me that always returns to the deep body breathing, even in the most stressful situations.
My husband is a practiced meditator. I would rather meditate in the garden, while riding my bike, swimming in the ocean. For me, action coupled with mind-less-ness is what works best. It’s also how I remain creatively fertile.
Aloha, Jack! Love the monkey business too 😉
Pauline calls them my happy pants I get a lot of smiles when I wear them they are a great way for an extravert to make smile, even laugh happy and start conversing. Pauline has over heard comments people have made when they did not know we were together. like one woman said to her male partner,” I’d like to see you wearing them.” he replied, ” I would not be seen dead in them.” Then they got all embarrassed when they saw Pauline was with me.
Swimmers have the breath coordinated and must be focused. Riding a bike or gardening are also great. Thank for the encouraging words. _/\_
Jack, Big smiles all the way through this read and an extra large smile at the painting to get over your photo.. ( I loved that meditation pose of you ).. I can not even sit crossed legged for long.. I sit with feet planted on the ground back straight and Thumb held by the other hand,
My own mantra these days on my in breath is ‘I am healthy, I am well’ as I breathe in… And I too concentrate on breathing in ‘Good’ energy/Light,, as I empty out in my visual mind Negative/Smoke.. of all the debris I have collected in my thought banks.. 🙂
Qi Gong is the exercise I do, gentle in tune to the breath.. This exercise alone enabled me to heal I feel from pain. And I swear by it.. And know when I have not practised it, for I am not as energised..
Wishing you well Jack.. And another enlightening post I thoroughly enjoyed 🙂
Blessings Sue _/\_
I have been away to visit one of my sons for a week that is why I am behind in my blogging world.
Once again Sue your comment is encouraging.
Sit any way that feels right for you. My way is only a suggestion it is the mind we are working on.
I think you set a very good example to follow Sue I have gained from reading your blog. Love to see you smiling and the Samadhi symbol.
Thank you _/\_ and I always enjoy seeing your smile my friend