Last month, in Anapanasati Part 1, exclusive attention to breathing was presented, enabling the mind to be calm and steady (Samatha). The mind is more able to bring the fullness of mental and physical life into focus. We are now more able to practice Vipassana meditation. One of the primary meanings of vipassana is insight—insight into the impermanent, empty nature of all formations. The yogi breathes in and out focusing on the impermanent nature of all formations. As we sit and breathe, we observe the arising and passing away of all mental and physical events.
Vipassana
The awareness of breathing and what we are attending to are experienced as a unified field, synchronized within the same time frame. The mind empties itself of all its contents: the body discloses its transparent and constantly changing nature. Deep penetration into the law of impermanence can profoundly facilitate our ability to let go of the attachments that produce so much unnecessary anguish. A new dimension of living opens for us, as we learn to let go into freedom.
Breath awareness as a practice can also be of immense help in every aspect of our daily life. Let me briefly present one example from my own life.
A few years ago I was hospitalized with a small stroke. For seven days I had to lie on my back. During the first few hours, the mind was dominated by one theme: THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO ME! I have been a vegetarian for 50 years. My blood pressure and cholesterol levels are good. I do yoga, meditate, and am happy with my life. This should not be happening to ME.
It “should not,” but it was; and where was mindfulness during all this? “Out to lunch.” I soon saw what was happening; no TV, no reading, etc. Wonderful conditions for a self-retreat! Simple mindful breathing brought some calm. Then vipassana: watching fear, boredom, hope and their relatives with each in and out breath. Arise and pass away, ever-changing. The mind became very peaceful and full of joy even though the body was immobile. Now and then vexation returned to the mind and I practiced samatha-vipassana until I was happily discharged.
There was also some humor to lighten things up. The attending physician was very puzzled: How could I, just having had a stroke, be happy? Was I mentally ill? He found my explanation “I practice Meditation.” totally unconvincing. I watched my mind about to launch into a Dharma talk, but instead wisely followed the breath as I answered his questions. However, some of the young interns and residents were interested. My wife confirmed that on numerous visits during the week, she arrived to find me flat on my back giving guided meditation instructions to these young, yogi-MDs.
This brief sketch of one of the Buddha’s most important meditation teachings is, of course, inadequate. I hope that the potential of breath awareness as a possible meditation practice becomes more and more apparent. If such a practice proves to be of some value, you can continue this practice for the rest of your life—until your last breath!
(For more on Anapanasati, you can refer to my books Breath by Breath and Three Steps to Awakening.)