#32 End of Breath Meditation

Inhale and exhale breath slowly, and with sound. Meditate on the two places where the breath ends. Then, one is liberated, and obtains independence.

Verse 55

How to do this technique

• In some of the earlier meditations, one had to focus on the gap between two breaths. This is a similar meditation, but with two differences.
• One has to breathe slowly, and with sound. This is a sitting meditation that should be done with eyes closed.
• Breathing slowly and deeply is a meditation practice on its own.
• The pace of our breath is directly connected to the activity of the mind. The slower we breathe, the more still the mind becomes.
• When we breathe very slowly and deeply, the mind almost stops completely. A wonderful sense of peace comes over us. Then, when the breath stops completely, everything, including the mind becomes still. Breathing with sound, or focussing our awareness on the sound of the breath is also an important meditation practice in its own right. For some people, breathing with sound helps them maintain awareness of the breath.
• If one does not maintain awareness of the breath, then one will miss the gap between two breaths. That is why this variation has been given – to help one maintain continuous awareness, of the breath and the gap between two breaths.
• Breathe slowly and with sound, and maintain awareness of the breath, and more particularly, the gap between two breaths. By breathing slowly, the mind will automatically slow down.
• Breathing with sound will make one remain aware of the breath, and the stillness, the gap between two breaths. As the mind becomes still, one begins to feel peaceful, very peaceful, and then joyful. Most people falsely believe that unless their lives are free of problems, they cannot be happy. That in fact is the problem. Our happiness or joy does not depend on anything external. People also believe that if they had more money, they would be happy. With money they could solve or eliminate most of their problems, or fulfill their desires, and then they would be happy. Actually, problems continue even when one has money.
• They do not go away even for rich people. Yoga teaches that happiness does not depend on money or a problem free life. One can be happy or unhappy with money, and one can be happy or unhappy without money. Similarly, one can be happy or unhappy with or without problems.
• Our happiness or joy depends on the mind. With the mind, one can never be fully joyful. Without the mind, one can only be joyful; one can never be unhappy. The lesser the activity of the mind, the more aware and joyful one becomes. When the mind has completely disappeared, one becomes fully aware and totally joyful.