Meditation Basics Counting breaths is not like counting sheep.
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Meditation.
Meditation Basics: Counting Breaths is Not Like Counting Sheep
Introduction:
"Just close your eyes and count your breaths," they say. How hard can it be? "Don't think about anything else, just focus on your breathing." However, anyone who has tried this "simple" meditation knows it's not as easy as it sounds.
Our minds naturally wander. When we try to focus on something as mundane as breathing, distractions quickly creep in. Here's a scenario: You close your eyes, sit comfortably, and start counting. Inhale one, inhale two... "Am I doing this right? Oh, I'm on three." Inhale four... "Should I start over or keep going?" And so it continues. "Did I pay the phone bill? I'm sure I did. Not like Susan, she's always... Oops." Inhale one, inhale two...
Good news: it does improve with practice. Bad news: even experienced meditators can struggle during hectic times. More good news: here are three tips to help you focus and reduce frustration: Observe, don't control; be compassionate; and enjoy yourself.
Observe, Don’t Control:
Avoid the beginner's mistake of trying to control your breathing. Many beginners alter their breath, resulting in an irregular pattern that hinders meditation. Instead, simply observe your breathing. You don't need any extra effort; just wait and you will naturally breathe.
If you catch yourself controlling your breaths, gently remind yourself it’s unnecessary and let your breathing return to its natural rhythm.
Be Compassionate:
Show yourself kindness during meditation. Concentrating on your breath isn't easy. When your mind wanders or you control your breath, don’t scold yourself. Time spent reprimanding yourself is time away from meditation.
Instead, gently return to your practice when you notice you're distracted. Avoid negative thinking like, "I can't do this." Such thoughts are unhelpful and waste time. Be compassionate. Brush off distractions and return to meditation.
Realize that these wanderings are part of your progress. Meditation is a skill, like baseball. A player doesn’t hit home runs on the first attempt. Mistakes and improvements come with practice. In meditation, your mind will wander more initially, but it gets better. You'll make fewer errors and recover faster. Challenges will happen, but so will successes.
Enjoy Your Practice:
Find joy in meditation. Although challenging, daily meditation can deeply enhance your life. Don’t measure success by progress within a timeframe. Meditation is a lifelong journey. This is your time. Let it be your oasis, not a chore.
No matter what's happening in your life, meditation can be your escape. As a Zen master said, "It’s just you and your breath, and then it’s just your breath." Breathe in, breathe out, and forget the world. Even if you’re busy, enjoy your meditation?"even if only for ten minutes.
Conclusion:
I hope these tips enhance your meditation experience. They have been invaluable in my own journey. I still face challenges, but by observing rather than controlling, being compassionate, and finding joy in my practice, I have enriched my life.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Meditation Basics Counting breaths is not like counting sheep..
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