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It is possible to do Vipassana meditation (watching the breath) either with eyes closed, or eyes half-open.
One of the simplest methods is to do a breath-watching meditation. You just sit quietly and become aware of your breath coming and going from your nose. When your mind wanders you turn attention back to your breath. That's the essence of this most basic way to meditate.
The breath note in meditation practices is significant because it helps focus the mind and bring awareness to the present moment. By paying attention to the breath, individuals can cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.
I could not breathe another breath in that room.
Concentration meditation practices involve focusing attention on a single object. Objects of meditation can include the breath, an inner or external image, a movement pattern (as in tai chi or yoga ), or a sound.
Meditation is a skill that takes practice to develop before you can feel comfortable enough to go into a deep meditation, or deep relaxation. There are many different styles and all of them focus on the breath. A simple thing you can do to get started is to learn proper belly breathing, then meditation come naturally.
I can begin with one type. It is called Vipassana, and involves watching the breath. You simply sit comfortably, perhaps with legs crossed, back straight, and you watch as the breath comes into your belly and leaves your belly. No alteration of the breathing is needed. Eyes closed or half-open. If your awareness leaves your breath (as it almost certainly will!), simply notice, "ah, I am not watching my breath," and bring your attention back to your breath. Begin with five or ten minutes a day, in the morning or around sunset. Increase the time as you feel stronger.
I'm sure that this meditation technique has been around for 1000's of years. I don't think they had websites back then :P
Meditation is simply the process of bringing awareness to your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. There are many different "meditation techniques," but they all have one thing in common: they all help you to become more aware of what is happening inside. For example, Vipassana is a technique where you observe your breath, coming into your belly, and going out. You simply watch your breath as you inhale and exhale. If your mind wanders (as it most definitely will!), you notice, "aha, I am thinking about all the things I have to do today," and then you gently bring your attention back to your breath. In this way, you become aware of your thoughts as well as your breath. And eventually, other inner phenomena will be noticed. So, in a sense, you could say meditation involves perception. But it is a subtle perception, an inner perception. It is not involved with the five senses.
Lorin Roche has written: 'Breath taking' -- subject(s): Breathing exercises, Respiration 'Meditation made easy' -- subject(s): Meditation, OverDrive, Health & Fitness, Nonfiction, Self-Improvement
The term "swasam" is derived from the Tamil language and translates to "breath" or "breathing" in English. It is often used in the context of discussing breath control in practices like yoga or meditation. In a broader sense, it can symbolize life and vitality, as breath is essential for existence.
Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, teach that meditation is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and self-realization. They emphasize the importance of focusing the mind, controlling the breath, and achieving a state of inner peace and connection with the divine through meditation practices like dhyana and pranayama.