#595 Surfing the Breath

     What does the meditation instruction to "surf the breath" mean?

     Breath can be experienced as air, the combination of gases (mainly nitrogen, oxygen & carbon dioxide); air, the space that surrounds matter; and also as the energy involved in the process of breathing.
     In all cases, there's movement, which again speaks of energy - life-sustaining energy. While we can breathe intentionally, mostly breathing happens on its own, much like the ocean's waves rhythmically coming to shore.
     Like surfers (or sailors), we can become attuned to the rhythmic energy of breathing, develop an ongoing attentive relationship, and learn to skillfully ride on, or flow with, this vital energy.

     We can gradually learn to surf every type of breath, on sunny and stormy days, dancing nonjudgmentally with mystery - life.

gordzam   www.dpreview.com

#558 NEITHER Avoiding, Stopping, NOR Pushing Away

     "The reality is that we are a river - a living energy system of sensations & sights & sounds, an energy system of changing feelings & thoughts. And the point of meditation and mindfulness isn't to stop the river - which you can't do.

                    "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."

     That's really the point of mindfulness and meditation - to allow the experience you're having, which is always changing - and to find your composure in it."

       Jack Kornfield: The Case for Mindfulness and Wisdom in Law
       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLV4Cty06Q4