tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post2127615081326702056..comments2024-03-11T22:00:04.309-07:00Comments on Life and Spirituality : A Simple Technique for Empowerment – Mindful Breathing Ashok http://www.blogger.com/profile/13678997673056672234noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post-34300911407526428022015-04-14T00:20:00.985-07:002015-04-14T00:20:00.985-07:00It is interesting to see how I changed my profile ...It is interesting to see how I changed my profile pic with time and blogger keeping a record of it :) Ashok https://www.blogger.com/profile/13678997673056672234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post-85455234061616913192015-04-14T00:18:28.453-07:002015-04-14T00:18:28.453-07:00Patanjali too recommended the conscious stopping a...Patanjali too recommended the conscious stopping and he was aware of all existing techniques of his time including Buddhist ones. Ashok https://www.blogger.com/profile/13678997673056672234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post-57086416853132491672015-04-14T00:17:15.356-07:002015-04-14T00:17:15.356-07:00I shall improve the post based on what you have ri...I shall improve the post based on what you have rightly said Hari Chand ji because 1. Observation of breathing does stabilize thought 2. When done properly stops become automatic ( Dr. L Dhar said the same thing) although I do think at first to do it slightly consciously helps too. Ashok https://www.blogger.com/profile/13678997673056672234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post-71921915026391371812015-04-13T20:21:18.561-07:002015-04-13T20:21:18.561-07:00Thanks Hari Chand ji. really appreciate the additi...Thanks Hari Chand ji. really appreciate the additional information as will other readers of this blog. I am aware of your considerable expertise in the area. I shall reflect on it in quieter moments and add a comment then, thanks again. Ashok https://www.blogger.com/profile/13678997673056672234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post-78628638878830988982015-04-13T20:01:38.928-07:002015-04-13T20:01:38.928-07:00Sir ! Most of the Time Practices are like launchin...Sir ! Most of the Time Practices are like launching of a Rocket, i.e. use the practice till it meets the target, further discarding it and using the next one. The Physical Exercises, Breathing Exercises, Reasoning (thinking) and Meditation are used in that order . There may be conscious effort involved in some or none of them. The Ultimate goal is to lose conscious effort and also reasoning and be observant only. The Technique mentioned by you is different from Vipasanna in Two ways- 1. In Vipasanna Observation of Breathing is meant for stablising the Mind, without effort (like even momentary pause as recommended by you) and without assigning any value to incoming/outgoing breath (equanimity) as you have mentioned. 2. In Vipasanna the emphasis is on observation of the effects of phenomena inside/outside the body on Body and Mind in form of Sensations, that anso again without assigning any value to the Sensations (Equanimity). The desired goal is to achieve this equanimity, which preserves the Energy of Body and Mind which we otherwise keep on wasting by reacting to the phenomena occurring around/within us.हरिचंदhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230461783738535165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post-56144397537110775172013-04-27T19:02:07.761-07:002013-04-27T19:02:07.761-07:00The following comment was sent on mindful breathin...The following comment was sent on mindful breathing by a dear friend - Professor P L Dhar a leading modern expert on mindful breathing. It adds the authoritative dimension to the topic:<br /><br />'Mindfulness of breathing -- called Anapanasati by the Buddha -- is a powerful meditation 'technique'. It is an exercise on Mindfulness -- not on control of respiration. So it is quite different form pranayama -- wherein regulation of breath is done in a variety of ways , leading to variety of pranayama. Pranyama has it own benefits and should be practised in its own right -- for physical and mental health benefits.<br /><br />Anapanasati is an exercise to raise awareness and that has its own benefits. Stopping of breath for a few seconds at the end of inhalation; and similarly at the end of exhalation, is quite natural. No need to put effort to do so. One has to be patient enough to be able to observe it.<br /><br />Anapana sati is usually done with two different objectives - to raise concentration and calm the mind and/ or to raise the awareness and investigate [& assimilate] the nature of Reality. It is one of the most popular amongst the various meditations taught by the Buddha.<br />The Buddha gave detailed instructions on its practice in Anapanasati sutta. You can learn about it from numerous sources available on the internet. "<br /><br />Dr. P. L. Dhar Ashok https://www.blogger.com/profile/13678997673056672234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post-61304262015411507062010-08-25T19:04:46.448-07:002010-08-25T19:04:46.448-07:00Thank you trish. Looking forward to more visits by...Thank you trish. Looking forward to more visits by you to the blog. I guess the blog awaits a little more controversial sort of post for others to start debating actively. Perhaps in a few days -- Ashok https://www.blogger.com/profile/13678997673056672234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post-51110575015091712792010-08-25T10:08:58.840-07:002010-08-25T10:08:58.840-07:00Oh Ashok, I'm so glad you found my White Torna...Oh Ashok, I'm so glad you found my White Tornado inspiring and have posted your own beautiful mindful breathing technique here. I'm incorporating some of this for myself. Thanks.Trishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18054911738257911541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post-81682606734149260052010-08-24T05:11:47.363-07:002010-08-24T05:11:47.363-07:00Thanks HaydenThanks Hayden Ashok https://www.blogger.com/profile/13678997673056672234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292614577950697575.post-23907766820444415932010-08-24T05:07:20.079-07:002010-08-24T05:07:20.079-07:00lovely!lovely!Haydenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02758977872663382006noreply@blogger.com