Stage 2

You can listen to a RealAudio Recording that will guide you through the Second Stage of the practice. An audio CD containing three guided meditations led by Bodhipaksa is now available in our bookstore, priced $14.95.

Preparation

Set up your posture, as described in the posture guidelines, allowing the body to relax as much as possible while maintaining a sense of dignity in the way you sit.

Stage One

Then, spend a few minutes doing the first stage of the practice, counting after each out-breath in cycles of one to ten. (If you haven’t done the first stage of the practice, then we strongly recommend that you go back and review that section before trying it). When you feel you’ve begun to calm your mind down a little, move on to the second stage of the practice.

Stage Two

In the second stage of the practice we continue to count in cycles of ten breaths, the difference being that this time we count just before each inhalation. Whenever you regain your awareness after being distracted, bring your attention gently back to the breath.