Chapter 1: An Unexpected Challenge

Yesterday, I experienced a fruitful meditation session in the morning. However, by afternoon, I consumed something that didn't sit well with me. Perhaps the food wasn't cooked sufficiently; I'm not entirely sure. But suddenly, I found myself feeling very unwell. I had almost forgotten how unpleasant diarrhea can be.

As I lay on my bed, curled up in a fetal position, drenched in sweat with my intestines twisting painfully, I focused on my breath and body. Maintaining this focus proved challenging due to the discomfort I was experiencing.

The interplay of pain and pleasure can significantly influence our state of mind. While pain can push us to our limits, pleasure can create a false sense of security—both feelings are fleeting, and the return of pain is inevitable.

I continued to breathe in a way that felt soothing and nourishing. Most of my breaths were shallow, with occasional deep inhales, but it was primarily the shorter, lighter breaths that seemed to provide relief. The deeper breaths often intensified the discomfort in my abdomen.

I wasn't trying to control my breath; instead, I simply observed it and how it impacted my body. If I noticed discomfort in my breathing, I would gently redirect it, almost like making a suggestion. The connection between body and mind is intricate and sometimes difficult to articulate. It feels as though there exists a middle path between deliberate, controlled breathing and allowing the breath to flow naturally. My mind offers suggestions while my body instinctively knows what it needs; however, sometimes the mind can interfere with this natural process.

It's challenging to express these thoughts clearly. I will keep trying, though—language can be both a helpful tool and a source of frustration. Words often limit our experiences. Many aspects of meditation seem too complex to articulate fully. When I attempt to describe them, I fear I might misrepresent the experience, leaving it up to the reader to explore their own understanding.

The stages of meditation, known as the four jhanas, serve as poetic guides to help one recognize their state of samadhi. Without these markers, it's easy to lose one’s way and struggle to return to those states. Poetry and metaphor excel in conveying emotions and mental states, as they tap into the heart's language.

The states of absorption, or samadhi, are influenced by various factors, and part of the practice involves discerning what actions lead to these states so that one can replicate the conditions necessary to access them again.

Returning to my experience of lying there in discomfort, I found it incredibly challenging to maintain awareness of my breath. Initially, I observed it like clouds drifting across the sky, then I tuned into how it flowed through my body and affected my feelings. I gently guided my breath toward comfort, allowing it to be long, short, shallow, or deep—whatever felt soothing and grounding in that moment. I refrained from focusing on the painful areas, like my abdomen, as that only heightened my discomfort; instead, I permitted the breath to flow gently through those regions without fixating on them.

At times, simply feeling the cool air entering my nostrils brought relief. That refreshing sensation would fill my head, creating a blissful quality that was difficult to define. This sense of ease would then spread throughout my body, alleviating some of the discomfort.

I could anchor my attention on a single point, such as my nostrils, while still being aware of my entire body—much like a spider at the center of its web, sensitive to every strand it is connected to.

Despite the distractions of pain, I persisted in my mindfulness practice, gently encouraging a sense of comfortable breathing while visualizing the energy flowing throughout my body. Although it was tough, I continued this practice, and eventually, something shifted. My efforts began to bear fruit, leading me to a state of absorption, even amid weakness and discomfort.

Then, something remarkable occurred. The pain and sickness gradually subsided, and I started to feel better. By evening, I was walking around again, free from both pain and illness.

Did meditation facilitate my recovery? It’s hard to say. The mind undoubtedly influences the body. Or perhaps it was merely a brief stomach bug? I can't be sure. I prefer to believe that meditation played a healing role, but I leave it to the reader to draw their own conclusions.

This experience highlighted the challenges of meditating while unwell. If I found it difficult yesterday, I can only imagine how much more challenging it would be in the face of impending death. Practicing meditation while in good health is a wise investment; if I master it now, it will be available to me when the time comes. The Buddha, in his final moments, likely endured significant pain yet was able to enter samadhi, passing away absorbed in the fourth jhana. I believe that years of dedicated practice can prepare one for that final moment.

Meditation is far from a waste of time; it is one of the most valuable skills one can cultivate. The benefits of this practice are profound. In contrast, spending excessive time on smartphones and chasing fleeting sensory experiences offers little long-term value. It can be challenging to step away from these devices without feeling a sense of boredom; they are designed to captivate our attention. In today's digital age, our focus has become a commodity, manipulated by technology companies. We often find ourselves mindlessly tapping our screens, seeking momentary distractions from the present, which ultimately drains us without providing significant benefits when faced with life's challenges.

This is not to say that technology is inherently negative. It has its merits; I utilize mine to write articles and engage with the Dhamma. Without the Internet, I might never have discovered this path.

However, I also find myself engrossed in various distractions on my phone, such as games, which can be difficult to disengage from. When I try to stop, it feels like an itch that demands to be scratched, consuming my time if I’m not vigilant. While playing video games isn't inherently wrong, devoting excessive time to them can lead to a dulling of consciousness, leaving me fatigued and disinterested in other activities.

Even now, as I prepare to meditate, I feel the pull of my smartphone, that urge to tap the screen for entertainment. Observing this behavior, I can only imagine how other intelligent species might perceive our screens as our masters.

Chapter 2: The Healing Power of Breath

In this video, "Breathe Through It," explore techniques that emphasize the importance of mindful breathing during challenging times. Learn how to harness the power of breath to cultivate calmness and resilience.

Chapter 3: Mastering Nasal Breathing

The second video, "How to breathe through your nose | Nasal breathing techniques & benefits with James Nestor," offers insights into the benefits of nasal breathing and practical techniques to enhance your mindfulness practice.