Breathing

Guide: Breathing

Guides are a Pathway in The Map of Everyday Enlightenment which are typically articles about a particular time and place for meditative practices. Guides contain Landmarks that highlight examples of how this could work for you, as well as other explanations of how to make use of certain concepts or techniques. The Landmarks in Guides can be reviewed in the context of progress through the Realms of Everyday Enlightenment, and when used in that way, Guides become another way to decide where to go next.

The Guide to Breathing informs us about the breath which is an essential part of any meditative practice. For Everyday Enlightenment, The Breath holds a unique place because anyone can use their breath as a Mindful practice to bring attention to The Now. On the other hand, breathing exercises are typically done while in a meditative state, which is not an emphasis of Everyday Enlightenment.
There are a few main points about breathing as part of this practice.

• Learning to harness The Breath is essential and powerful. Any serious study of Enlightenment or Mindfulness absolutely must incorporate breathing exercises.
• The internet is absolutely filled with breathing exercises, so Everyday Enlightenment for the most part will not attempt to replicate or refine those.
• Most breathing exercises are done while meditating, which is not emphasized as part of Everyday Enlightenment, but is definitely encouraged as a companion practice.
• Breathing can and should be done as part of your Everyday Enlightenment. Look for every possible opportunity to notice the breath and find ways to incorporate breathing exercises into each moment of your daily routine.

If you need to, start by searching for some Mindful breathing exercises or start with the Resources below. Once you are comfortable with those exercises, and the concept of Mindful Breathing, look for ways to adapt what you've learned as part of Everyday Enlightenment. For example, whenever you sit down, take a mindful moment and notice the next breath you take. Or whenever you are doing any other Mindful practice, add The Breath to that practice or exercise.

Resources

• Conscious breathing - "Conscious breathing is an umbrella term for methods that direct awareness to the breath. These methods may have the goal of improving breathing, or the primary goal can be to build mindfulness. Human respiration is controlled consciously or unconsciously."
• Anapanasati - "... meaning "mindfulness of breathing" ... refers to inhalation and exhalation, paying attention to the breath. It is the quintessential form of Buddhist meditation."