Miche – Welcome and thank you for commenting! I find counting to be one of the most effective ways to get focused while doing meditation or deep breathing. Yes, it is simple on the surface, but it is funny how the mind tries to distract. Glad you enjoyed the post!

I’ve meditated for years and usually have a difficult time explaining to others how to get to a place of “no-thought”, usually I have them focus on going deeper or will do a guided meditation with them. IN ALL THIS TIME I NEVER THOUGHT OF TELLING THEM TO COUNT!!! So simple!!! And perfect! It’s short, simple, and non-intimidating. Anyone can try it!

I will definitely pass this around!

Cheers,

Miche
Miche | Serenity Hacker´s last blog ..Einstein’s Approach to Problem Solving

Nice post!
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David – As I stated at the first part of this post, on the surface this challenge looks easy. Sure, anyone can take 100 breaths, but doing it fully mindful is a different story. Don’t worry, it was difficult for me too. But the good news is the more we do it, the more centered we will become. It is a good “wake up” tool to make us realize how unsettled our minds and bodies currently are.

Diggy – Thanks for posting here. Yes, meditation and deep mindful breathing are perfect for bringing about a sense of inner peace. But I wouldn’t say it is necessarily easy, but I do know it is well worth it. Good luck!

Robin – Wow, what a fantastic comment. Thank you so much for taking us through your thoughts during the process and challenge! Looks like you stayed very focused for sure. You can see a big “shift” around the 50th breath. Thank you again for taking the challenge!

Kaizen – You are absolutely correct, the REAL challenge in this was not taking the 100 breaths, it was being AWARE of them all the way through. Easy? Not really. But so good for the body and mind. I LOVE that Tolle quote btw, I’m a big fan!

Alternaview – You made a great point that many people don’t think they have time to do something like this challenge or they simply make excuses. Yet at the same time, they have NO problem sitting in front of the TV or computer for hours. Hmmm. Even if we do a “20 breath” challenge a day, that can be just as rewarding if done consistently. Thanks again for commenting!
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The challenge for me wasn’t sitting there doing 100 breaths (though that can sometimes be difficult), the challenge for me was staying “present” while doing it.

I recall reading something Eckhart Tolle wrote, that being present for just one breath was better than 30 minutes of “Unpresent” meditation.
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As soon as I finished reading your post, I tried the meditation. As I counted the breaths, I noted brief thoughts/feelings that arose (on a piece of paper).

It’s my science training – I love to observe what happens. It’s probably not the ideal application of the method, but I thought I would share my notes with you.

Bottom-line: it was a fantastic experience. Very high value. Thanks for posting it. Next stop, 1000.

Best, Robin

SPONTANEOUS REFLECTIONS DURING 100 BREATH MEDITATION

3: Immediately relaxed.

5: Aware of heartbeat.

7: Aware of body pulse.

12: Life pulses through me.

25: I’m in my body.

26: I’m not my body.

34: Breathing and body are one.

38: Feelings of inner spaciousness.

41: Time is still.

43. Letting go.

47. I am the breath.

51. Everything stops.

62. There is release.

70. Light. Waves.

72. Deep connecting. Harmony.

81. Light. Connection.

90. Joy.

95. Light and joy.

Sense of slowing down.
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Really cool post!
I remember reading about meditation and focusing on your breathing is one of the easiest ways to forget about everything around you and attain that inner peace.

I’ve never done a 100 breaths exercise, so I’ll do that tonight!

Thanks for sharing!
Diggy – Upgradereality.com´s last blog ..The Timing is Never Right