The Importance of Noticing Your Breath

Following the breath is the practice which the Buddha is said to have used when he attained Enlightenment. It’s usefulness as a method is significant.

Following the breath is a practice that can be used to increase our awareness of our bodies, feelings, and minds. It starts with relaxing and settling the mind, which leads to great benefits, strengthening our Buddhist practice and ultimately leading to Awakening.

It’s best to find a quiet place, but that isn’t always easy in the modern world. Being in a place that’s slightly more disturbed makes things a little more difficult, but not impossible.

It’s best to have a stable posture, ideally the full lotus or half lotus. But, sitting on your knees is okay too and plenty of people who have back problems sit in chairs or lying down.

We being by noticing the breath. We notice whether our breaths are short or long, hard or soft.