Relax the Mind of Inclination

Breathing has a multitude of applications as you’re well aware by now. It’s not simply about keeping you alive. If that’s all you’re using the breath for, then you’re wasting a valuable resource. In this issue of the Philosophy of Breath we explore how breathing can assist in the experience of a meditative state.

Meditation is very difficult for many people even when they understand the theory behind it and have sincerity of purpose. One of the problems I encountered myself and revisit when coaching others is that of the mind becoming stuck in a pattern of thinking. Generally, whatever has been occupying your thoughts before you meditate will continue to flow into your mind even when you’re trying to fall into a meditative state.

This is known as the Mind of Inclination. The mind is inclined to follow on with the patterns of thought established during the day. This often happens when we try to go to sleep at night. It can be harder sometimes because our thoughts are consumed with various problems or issues.

What we need to do in order to help facilitate meditation is to relax the mind of inclination before we seek a meditative state. In fact, it’s not so much that you apply a step by process but rather, by relaxing the mind, it becomes quieter and a meditative state develops of its own accord.

Using the Hara Breath

In issue 31 we examined the process of Hara breathing and have introduced it as a powerful tool in our exploration of Ball in a Bin. Hara breathing doesn’t have to be done in standing or seated position, it can be performed whilst lying down. I enjoy meditating in corpse pose (a yoga pose) and use the Hara breath as a lead in to meditation. We have established in earlier articles the universal impact of Hara breathing. One of the key things Hara breathing facilitates is to quieten the mind. I find Hara breathing an excellent way to begin any meditation session.

Meditation through the Hara

This is what I do to foster a meditative state.

1. Lay down in corpse pose with palms facing up and thumb and index finger touching

2. Feet need to be about one foot apart and relaxed

3. I close my eyes and begin performing Hara breaths

4. My objective is to perform 10 breaths but I often find that things slow down a lot sooner than a full 10 reps

5. The more I do this the less Hara breathing I find I need to do in order to quiten the mind

6. Once things become quiet I allow my breathing to slow into a natural rhythm which is usually slow but a lot shallower than the Hara breath

7. Whenever I catch my mind wandering off on some tangent away from present moment awareness I start performing Hara breaths until my mind quietens down again

Tibetan monks and other experienced meditators have been known to take no more than 12 breaths in an hour. This is very advanced I’m sure and extreme to say the least. So don’t try it unless you want to end up KO’d.

So set your alarm for 20 minutes, an hour or as long as you can spare and begin Hara breathing. You’ll find your meditation sessions become richer, deeper and longer. You will also get better with practise and perhaps the doors to the rabbit hole will open right up.

Breath and smile.