Watch the sequence of events: Breathing. Breathing. Distracting thought arising. Frustration arising over the distracting thought. You condemn yourself for being distracted. You notice the self-condemnation. You return to the breathing. Breathing. Breathing. It's really a very natural, smooth-flowing cycle, if you do it correctly. The trick, of course, is patience. If you can learn to observe these distractions without getting involved, it's all very easy. You just glide through the distraction, and your attention returns to the breath quite easily.
The excerpt discusses the cyclical nature of mindfulness practice, particularly focusing on the act of breathing. It highlights how distractions can disrupt your meditation, leading to frustration and self-condemnation. Recognizing when these distractions arise is essential, as it allows practitioners to return their focus back to breathing without getting caught in a loop of negative thoughts.
The key to navigating this cycle is patience and observation. By learning to acknowledge distractions without becoming involved, one can smoothly transition back to mindful breathing. This approach promises a more fluid meditation experience, demonstrating that with practice, returning to a state of calm attention becomes easier.
