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So you look at the breath and see what you can do to make it comfortable, all the way through the in-breath, all the way through the out, and all the way through all the different parts of the body.

"There’s enough suffering in life. You don’t have to compound it by breathing in a way that’s harsh, uncomfortable, or unhealthy. So you look at the breath and see how it’s affecting the body in different parts: where the breath energy seems comfortable, where it seems strained, what you can do to make it comfortable throughout, all the way through the in-breath, all the way through the out, and all the way through all the different parts of the body." ~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Goodwill First & Last"
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Make the breath the only thing you’re thinking about. Put aside all thoughts of jhana, everything. Just be here with the breath. And then try to notice: Is the breath comfortable or not? If it’s not, you can change.

"So just stay here with the breath. Make the breath the only thing you’re thinking about. Put aside all thoughts of jhana, everything. Just be here with the breath. And then try to notice: Is the breath comfortable or not? If it’s not, you can change." ~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Don’t Focus on Jhana, Focus on the Breath"
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The Buddha says that when there’s a sense of ease coming with the breath, let it spread throughout the whole body. When you can think of the breath energy as going through the body, it’s a lot easier to let the feeling of ease spread along with it.

"The Buddha says that when there’s a sense of ease coming with the breath, let it spread throughout the whole body. When you can think of the breath energy as going through the body, it’s a lot easier to let the feeling of ease spread along with it." ~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Breath Energies"
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All you’re asked to do is to breathe, which you’re going to do anyhow. To watch how the movements of your mind can either create a lot of suffering or a lot of joy — that should be a really fascinating process.

"So as a meditator you’ve got to learn how to remind yourself that what you’re doing here is a good thing. All you’re asked to do is to breathe, which you’re going to do anyhow. And then watch the breath, because right here you’re going to learn about your own mind. Isn’t that the most worthwhile thing to learn about? To watch the movements of your mind, to see how, given a particular situation, you can either create a lot of suffering out of it or you can create a lot of joy — the same situation, but you handle it differently: That should be a really fascinating process." ~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "New Eyes"
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If you see any thoughts arising in the mind about how much longer we’re going to be sitting here or how long we have been sitting here, just let them blow away. Think of the breath as going right through them, not giving them any space to land.

"So as far as you’re concerned right here, right now, this is all there is: the right here, the right now — this breath, this breath. If you see any thoughts arising in the mind about how much longer we’re going to be sitting here or how long we have  been sitting here, just let them blow away. Think of the breath as going right through them, not giving them any space to land. You’ll find, as you stay fully immersed in the breath like this, that a lot of the good qualities you want to develop in the practice come along without your having to think about them. You don’t have to worry." ~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Just This Breath"
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That’s the skill in how you look at things and listen to things: maintaining this sense of the center in the body, a sense of ease, refreshment, and fullness no matter what happens outside.

"Learn how to develop a sense of ease, a sense of fullness and refreshment right here in the body. Make that your food. Try to preserve and protect that level of the mind. That’s the skill in how you look at things and listen to things: maintaining this sense of the center in the body, a sense of ease, refreshment, and fullness no matter what happens outside. That puts the mind on a higher plane — and in a much better position." ~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "The Skill of Restraint" (Meditations4)
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The more sensitive you are to detect the slightest little bit of tension or tightness and work through it, then the more comfortable the breath becomes, the more absorbing it becomes. It feels really good just sitting here breathing.

"A third quality you bring is ardency: You’re really focused on this. You pay attention. When you’re with the breath, you try to be as sensitive as possible to how the breathing feels. The more sensitive you are to detect the slightest little bit of tension or tightness and work through it, then the more comfortable the breath becomes, the more absorbing it becomes. It feels really good just sitting here breathing." ~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Making a Difference"
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