A question for Pali Experts. The real interpretation of Anapanasati

[Gillian]

@paul1

This is important because it means a connection between the mind and the physical basis of the breath is being forged,

So important … it took years for me to realise I needed to do anything other than look at my breath in a joyless sort of way.

@paul1

taking habitual feeling away from organs involved with food or sex.

or for some other personality types realising that the body is important and that the intellect isn’t the only relevant data.

@paul1

The joy associated with mindfulness of the breath however is a feeling not of the flesh.

Absolutely.

[stu]

@paul1

The joy associated with mindfulness of the breath however is a feeling not of the flesh.

It’s also interesting to note:

2.19 For someone who has attained the fourth absorption, breathing has ceased.

[Gillian]

Hi Juni,
welcome to the forum. If you have any questions, just ask. You can also PM @moderators if you need to.

@juni

I believe you should practice both “mindfulness OF the breath” and “mindfulness WHILE breathing”.

A very straightforward way of thinking about this sutta imho. Steps 1 and 2 require mindfulness OF the breath and steps 3-16 require mindfulness WHILE breathing.