Introduction to Mindfulness_349810_bookemon_ebook.pdf Coaching and Practising Mindfulness | Page 258

lip. Wherever the breath tends to appear most clearly, allow that area
to be the home, the centre of your attention.
Keep your attention connected with the inhalations and exhalations,
sensing the physical sensations that characterize them. Let go of the
surface concerns of the mind. Whenever the mind wanders away,
gently come back to the breath. There is no need to judge the
wandering mind; when you notice that the mind has wandered,
simply return to the breath without evaluation.
To help maintain contact between awareness and the breath, you may
use a label or mental note. Softly, like a whisper in the mind, label the
in-breath and out-breath, encouraging the awareness to stay present
with the breath. You can label the inhalations and exhalations as "in"
and "out," or perhaps use "rising" and "falling" for the movement of
the abdomen or the chest. Don't worry about finding the right word,
just use something that will help you stay connected.
There is no need to force the attention on the breath; to strengthen
your ability to become mindful and present, use the gentle power of
repeatedly, non judgmentally returning and resting with the breath.
Sources:
Insight Meditation Centre – 108 Birch St., Redwood City, Ca 94062 [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.insightmeditationcenter.org
www.getselfhelp.co.uk/mindfulness.htm - www.get.gg
© Carol Vivyan 2009, permission to use for therapy purposes

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