The mind goes rushing out to feed on things because it’s hungry. To assuage that hunger, you focus on the breath, developing a sense of ease, well-being, and fullness, either through the in-and-out breath or through the general spread of breath energy throughout the body.

"In developing a sense of well-being with the breath, you don’t feel so starved. The mind goes rushing out to feed on things because it’s hungry. To assuage that hunger, you focus on the breath, developing a sense of ease, well-being, and fullness, either through the in-and-out breath or through the general spread of breath energy throughout the body. Focus on whichever is most attractive and gratifying at the moment. Some people focus successfully on the breath energy in the different parts of the body first, rather than on Ajaan Lee’s seven steps. This gives a larger frame of reference. Then, in the midst of the breath energy, notice the impact of the in-and-out breathing on the different aspects of breath energy through the body. Use whatever works to create a really good, gratifying, satisfying sense of fullness that you can feed on."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "The Mind on a Leash"

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