The Buddha’s observation is that the fact that of being alert to the breath is one of the causes for pleasure.

"The Buddha’s observation is that the fact that of being alert to the breath is one of the causes for pleasure. If you keep that alertness continuous, the pleasure smoothes out, and as it gets smoother, it gets more intense. It develops a kind of momentum. It builds up. And whatever good it’s going to do for the body, whatever good it’s going to do for the mind, you don’t have to go making exclamations about it to yourself."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Pleasure on the Path"

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