Focus on the breath as you feel it; breathing in a way that gives rise to a sense of well-being. This is a pleasure that’s not sensual. It’s the pleasure of form. And it doesn’t have the drawbacks of sensuality.

"Renunciation doesn’t mean that you simply run away from sensual pleasures; you try to find happiness in a way that doesn’t involve sensuality. You do that by focusing on the body as you sense it from within — the body in and of itself, as the Buddha says: focusing on the breath as you feel it; breathing in a way that gives rise to a sense of well-being. This is a pleasure that’s not sensual. It’s the pleasure of form. And it doesn’t have the drawbacks of sensuality. This is one way you can develop perfections: simply by finding your happiness here."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Meaning Through Perfections"

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