The point of meditation is to make our mind quiet and at peace. It helps to stop all the stray thoughts which pass though our minds for a while and give it some rest. Ideally practicing simple ways to meditate should enable us to quiet our minds even in times when we are not meditating. It is not a simple thing to switch the mind off, but meditating helps a great deal.
Focusing on your breath and breathing is a meditation technique which can be mastered by anyone. Breathing is an involuntary action, so it is always there, it is rhythmic and this falls nicely in line with the theories on meditation. If you have ever been to an exercise or yoga class, or listened to guided meditation recordings, the lesson always starts by asking you to take a deep, or a few deep breaths.
Deep breathing is useful for relaxation even if you are not about to start meditating. We have all heard the words "take a breather", so taking a few deep breaths before any situation helps to calm you.
Much like yoga breathing, meditation exercise using the breath as a focus can release your troubles with every exhalation. For example you can breathe in through the nose or mount and visualize you are exhaling the breath through the soles of your feet or the tips of your fingers, even the top of your head. You have to imagine that your exhalation is taking with it all your worries and cares.
Training your breath to be the focus of your attention can be accomplished by shallow and controlled breathing, Imagine at the same time that there is a feather on your chin or nose and you are not supposed to disturb it. The more focus you have on your breath, the more easily you will be able to find a meditative state.
You need to take whatever time you can out of your day and practice these breathing exercises whenever you have to opportunity. There are no fixed rules, do it when you go to bed at night or when you wake in the morning or both. Whatever makes you feel better!
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