The 112 Meditations · Breath
The turning of the breath
Notice the moment the breath turns: the instant an in-breath becomes an out-breath, and an out-breath becomes an in-breath.
The teaching, in plain wordsThe breath comes in, and before it goes out, it turns. It goes out, and before it comes in again, it turns. Be present at that turning, and something opens.
From the Vigyan Bhairava Tantra
How to practice
- Sit comfortably and let your breathing be natural. Do not slow it down or control it.
- Follow the in-breath all the way in.
- Notice the moment it turns, the tiny instant when breathing in becomes breathing out.
- Follow the out-breath all the way out, and notice the moment it turns again.
- Keep your attention resting at those turning points, breath after breath.
The turning points are very brief, so this is a lesson in fine attention. Missing them is part of the practice. Simply look for the next one.