Hi,
This is Andy Kelly with the Boston Buddha.
In today's meditation,
We're going to use the centering power of your breath,
A breath awareness meditation.
So many of us forget to breathe,
Or even realize that it's the first thing you did when you were born and the last thing you'll do before you die.
A funny thing happens when I focus on my breath,
And it probably happens to you too.
Just by observing my breath without force or trying to control it,
It can change the way I feel.
Sometimes it gets longer and a lot slower,
And my body and my mind get more relaxed,
And other times I'm just too distracted to focus on my breath at all.
Those times my breath seems to get faster and a lot shorter,
And it's those times also that I'm usually worried about all the other things I need to do while I'm sitting here meditating.
So whenever you notice yourself thinking about the past or thinking about the to-do list that you need to do in the future,
I want you to gently shift your attention back to your breath and see if you start to feel better.
So to bring your attention to your breath,
There are essentially three parts that you need to focus on.
The inhale,
The exhale,
And the pauses between each breath.
So every time you notice a sound out in your environment,
A sensation in your body,
Or a thought in your mind,
I want you to use that and gently drift your attention back to your breath and notice where you are in your breath.
It could be your inhale,
Your exhale,
Or maybe you are pausing in that space between the two.
So let's get started.
Sit comfortably and gently close your eyes.
Now let's take a deep cleansing breath in and let it out.
Let's take another deep breath in and slowly exhale.
I want you to start breathing naturally and just lightly focus on your breath.
Notice your in-breath,
Your out-breath,
And the pause in between.
Simply paying attention to where you are right now in your breath.
You're just listening,
Not forcing or trying to control the flow.
We'll continue this meditation for about 10 minutes.
I'll watch the time,
And when you hear my voice again,
I want you to just sit gently with your eyes closed.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
And now let's take a deep breath in.
Now with your eyes still closed,
Let's just take a deep breath in and ever so gently release it.
Let's take another deep breath in and just let it flow out.
And when you're ready,
You can gently open your eyes.
We hope you enjoyed today's breath awareness meditation.
If you'd like more information on meditation,
Please visit our website at thebostonbuddha.
Com.
So on behalf of the Boston Buddha,
This is Andy Kelly.
Peace.
