Q1 How can we reconcile joy and dispassion? How are nipita and virago supposed to feel? 11:55 Q2 Are the 16 steps of vipassana meditation the result of calmness meditation, or is it a wise directing of attention as a goal? 17:59 Q3 You mentioned to notice the space between the in and out breath and the out and in breath. When I do that my breath seems to get more shallow and I feel a threat and start coughing. 22:32 Q4 Something seems to keep kicking in the breathing process. What should I do? 23:18 Q5 How to be less demanding, to maintain the highest quality to do well, but less demanding, e.g of expectations of others?

A meditation, reflection, and (just the) responses to questions on the theme of breathing and thinking; and what playing with bodily fabrication reveals and opens about experience and freedom.

00:23 Q1 How do we define a real state of meditation? Is it merely focus and concentration? Should we do samatha first or vipassana or both combined? 23:39 Q2 During walking meditation do we still observe breathing at the nostrils or radiating metta? 28:17 Q3 Is it okay to use the mantra Budho for walking meditation and during daily life activities? 29:32 Q4 I have committed some mistakes in the past, one which lost me a dear old friend and another one which causes me huge embarrassment every time I think about it. I feel a huge degree of sense of remorse and given the opportunity I would not do it again. What can I do to overcome this?... [and] During meditation my emotions are triggered. Should I come back to the breath or feel the emotion in the body? 37:22 Q5 How can I note intentions especially during meal time? There are so many of them! 40:27 Q6 What's the rationale behind not reading during a retreat? 42:29 Q7 When a person we love is doing harmful things, not correct practice despite your advice, they don't listen, how do I practice dhamma to avoid disappointment and sadness. 44:19 Q8 When it's in meditation my head naturally tilts upward. At this point the connection between the spine and the neck clicks. How to avoid it?

Instructions and Guided Meditation on Mindfulness of Breathing

A body scan inviting ease, then resting the awareness on the rhythm of breathing

Working with the Anapanasati Sutta in some depth. There are 16 steps in four tetrads that the Buddha lays out regarding how to practice this way. It is more than simply keeping one's attention on the experience of breathing. Some of the steps will likely surprise you. I thought it would be interesting to hear how the Buddha himself practiced using the breath and then practice together as he suggested. Anapanasati Sutta Majjhima Nikaya #118 https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.118.than.html Anåpånasati- Summary of the Four Tetrads (16 steps) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yE2GiJtr3nnMGR_2YYOEA7eZ9W02ti52PD5abYF_Ius/edit?tab=t.0 Thich Nhat Hanh Video TNH explaining the 16 steps (28 minutes) https://youtu.be/inPkOzo_8XQ?si=nKp94lysBPxn4od_ Ven Analayo Audio guided meditations successively building on the tetrads. Last one includes all four. Mindfulness of Breathing with Bhikkhu Anālayo https://www.buddhistinquiry.org/resources/breathing-audio/ Written Overview Analayo - Understanding and Practicing the Ānāpānasati-sutta https://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?t=30301 Bhikkhu Bodhi's videos going through the sutta in detail. https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=49266cf56d93934f&sxsrf=AE3TifMAPbSxpASPFg4H_3u7YewNOi0UgA:1753423263992&q=Bhikkhu+Bodhi+mn+118&udm=7&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZ1Y6MJ25_tmWITc7uy4KIeiAkWG4OlBE2zyCTMjPbGmP8dNHyekGOBzxjAdPhnrqrkFMVvRmyqhKdJnNaG3AkXT9BEIxM7mvWZQG3bFq0xYNXOHnKszVdt00PEHYlRCcNfQMctmXagH2kmQdDS-r99NNUO7KPPqfaJdzNdnznKA2npV8j&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiV_KnWqteOAxVFIxAIHdP6MTkQtKgLKAJ6BAgVEAE&biw=1309&bih=738&dpr=2.2

Identifying the appearance of the 7 Awakening Factors in meditation with Mindfulness of In-and-Out Breathing as a basis.