Breathing Technique
for Relaxation
by Dagsay Tulku Rinpoche
 A
peaceful and relaxed mind is a prerequisite to meaningful meditation. Breathing
techniques as they are taught in Tibetan tradition are millennia-old methods
with great contemporary appeal because they harmonize body and soul quickly and
effectively.
Breathing brings about life! Despite the fact that we take breathing for
granted, it still has the most important function in our body: It keeps us
alive. When you pinch your nose and close your mouth for a moment, you soon
discover how dependent you are on breathing.
The manner in which you breathe is, further, a mirror of your psychological
state of mind: When you are nervous or excited, you breathe hastily, and when
you are peaceful and balanced inside you breathe calmly. Therefore, you are able
to control your breathing to calm down, to influence your psychological state
when it becomes necessary.
The breathing technique for the ninefold purification of energy assists in
bringing about the needed peace and quiet of the mind.
Both hands are resting in your lap (step one).
Slowly bring your left hand up to your nose while turning it palm out. Now
press on your left nostril using your ring finger and start breathing slowly
through your right nostril. Consciously hold your breath for a short time
(step two).
While you are holding your breath, lower your left hand and rest it in your
lap, then slowly raise the right one, again turning out your palm and bringing
it up to your nose. Take your right ring finger and use it to close your right
nostril, then expel your breath slowly and with purpose through the left
nostril (step three).
Repeat this exercise three times.
Now slowly bring your right hand up to your nose while turning it palm out.
Press on your right nostril using your ring finger and start breathing slowly
through your left nostril. Consciously then hold your breath for a short time
(step four).
While you are holding your breath, lower your right hand and rest it in
your lap, then slowly raise the left one, again turning out your palm and
bringing it up to your nose. Now take your left ring finger and use it to
close your left nostril, then expel your breath slowly and with purpose
through the right nostril (step five).
Repeat this exercise three times as well.
Finally, take three even breaths though both nostrils; hold your breath
consciously and then expel it slowly and with purpose, using both nostrils.
Your hands should be resting on your thighs (step six).
Once you have become accustomed to this sequence, use all your imagination
possible while breathing in and out, as well as when you are holding your
breath.
* While you breathe in, imagine you are taking in a great amount of
purifying energy.
* While you hold your breath, imagine that these forces are thoroughly
purifying your mind as well as your body.
* While you breathe out, imagine how every conflict- and
transgression-related element of your body or your mind is being expelled with
your slow and determined breath.
Important considerations
Avoid taking quick breaths; instead, breathe gently and intently. While you
are holding your breath, you should always be listening to your inner voice.
Breathe out when you feel that you want to do so and let air return when you
want to breathe in. Do not put any unnecessary pressure upon yourself. Adapt
your breathing to the rhythm that suits you.
While you are closing your nostril, remember to lift your elbow up slightly,
which allows the chest to open and improves your breathing. Pay attention to
staying with the exercise, not allowing your thoughts to drift off. To make this
possible, say to yourself the following phrases with every breath you take.
* Slowly and deeply I breathe in.
* Gently my breath I hold.
* Slowly and with purpose I breathe out.
Everyone has a different technique of breathing deeply; therefore, it is
important to listen to one's inner voice and adjust this exercise in breathing
to one's needs. Some people will experience nausea or dizziness when their
breathing in is too long or too short, as well as when they exhale too slowly or
too rapidly. Because of that, take an occasional normal breath while you are
doing the exercise.
This
article is excerpted from:
 The Practice of Tibetan Meditation
by Dagsay Tulku Rinpoche (English Translation).
Reprinted with permission
of the publisher, Inner Traditions International. ©1999.
www.innertraditions.com
Info/Order this book
About the Author
Born
in the Tibetan village of Tartsedo in 1936, Dagsay Tulku Rinpoche was discovered
and recognized as the reincarnation of the previous Dagsay Tulku and brought to
the famous Chokri monastery in eastern Tibet, where he came to serve as Chief
Lama. Escaping persecution in 1959, he traveled to India, where he continued his
studies and practice until -- upon the request of the Dalai Lama -- he accepted
a post as the spiritual leader to a small community of Tibetan settlers in
Switzerland, where he currently resides. Dagsay Tulku Rinpoche teaches courses
in Buddhist meditation and performs blessings and initiations. In addition to
introducing the West to the spiritual practices of Tibet, he has been actively
involved in the rebuilding of the Chokri monastery in his homeland.
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