Don't watch the breath. Feel it, wear it, bathe yourself in it!

"Breath instructions often begin by saying, “Watch the breath.” But that can create some problems. Tell yourself, “Don’t watch the breath. Feel it. Wear it. Bathe yourself in it.” After all, you’re dealing with proprioception, the body as you feel it from within, and the breath is not in front of your eyes. If anything, it’s behind them. So back into the breath. See what that perception does."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Brahmaviharas at the Breath"

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