40 Quotes About How-to-meditate

When a thought comes to mind, note the thought and return to the practice. Notice where your mind goes when it wanders—“Oh, I’m thinking about work”— then bring your focus back to the breath.

Before practicing zazen, set your intention: “I will practice breath awareness as a form of meditation for five minutes, counting each breath. When my mind wanders, I will return to counting the breath, beginning again with one.

Stop thinking—about anything other than what you are doing right now. Notice your breath. Enjoy all that there is to this moment.

Stop thinking—about your upcoming plans when you take time to read. Notice your breath. Take in each word and allow the information and ideas to settle in.

Stop thinking—about what you are going to say next while someone else is still speaking. Notice your breath. Hear them out, open your mind, and listen.

Stop thinking—about all the things that could go wrong in your career. Notice your breath. Be your best and do your best.

Stop thinking—about your workday when you are with your family. Notice your breath. Love them now.

Open Awareness Meditation, also known as “open attention,” “open monitoring,” or “soft focus,” is a form of mindfulness meditation in which you allow the many things present in your consciousness (sounds and other sensory input, as well as your thoughts and emotions) to arise in your awareness and then naturally fall away as they are replaced by different sounds, thoughts, etc.

The ancient concept of yin and yang refers to the two fundamental sides of nature—both spiritual and physical, both feminine and masculine.