“Now how is mindfulness of in-&-out breathing developed & pursued so as to be of great fruit, of great benefit?
“There is the case where a monk, having gone to the wilderness, to the shade of a tree, or to an empty building, sits down folding his legs crosswise, holding his body erect, and setting mindfulness to the fore. Always mindful, he breathes in; mindful he breathes out.

— Anapanasati Sutta (Mindfulness of Breathing Sutra)

It is often said that our life on earth begins with our first inhalation, and ends with a final outbreath.  Between those two points are all of the joys and sadnesses that encompass a human life. 

Continue reading →