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Query for people experienced with Anapanasati & Goenka style

Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 11:44 pm
by TheSeeker
Hi all,

I am going for my 2nd Goenka retreat soon. My first was a few years ago so I feel I am starting new.

I have always had issues breathing through my nose due to deviated septum. I can manage somewhat but an interesting thing : On the inbreath, i feel the breath sensation inside my nose but on the outbreath its more clear on the upper lip area. Most of the time the sensation is more clear only on the right nostril since my left nostril ends up being more blocked (deviated septum like I mentioned). Now I know in the Goenka instructions, one is supposed to watch for the breath at the "tip of the nose" to enhance concentration.

I am going to ask the assistant teacher at the retreat this question but I am wondering if any experienced meditators have any answers or tips or ideas for me?

Metta to all,

Re: Query for people experienced with Anapanasati & Goenka s

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 12:55 am
by santa100
Those Breathe Right Strips might be helpful..

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... he%20right

Re: Query for people experienced with Anapanasati & Goenka s

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 2:15 am
by Jhana4
I'm not an expert. I don't think it matters.

I think what matters in the context of that retreat is watching the breath for the first few days as a means of getting relaxed and doing so with your attention focused on a smaller area to build up a little more concentration.

Deviated septums and having one nostril more busy than another is a fairly common thing.

Re: Query for people experienced with Anapanasati & Goenka s

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 3:02 am
by Ben
Hi the seeker
The instruction is to observe the touch of the breath. Initially it is inside the nostril and then changes to the area underneath the nostrils and above the upper lip. If you feel the touch sensation anywhere in that triangular area then that is all that is required. From day one to day four the field of awareness narrows to a smaller area on each subsequent day until day four when one is asked to observe other sensations in the narrowed field of awareness above the upper lip.
By all means have a chat with the assistant teacher.
Wishing you all the best.
Ben

Re: Query for people experienced with Anapanasati & Goenka s

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 3:44 am
by pegembara
Where the breath is felt is less important than the direct awareness of the sensations of breathing eg. breathing long or short etc. The purpose is to anchor the mind to what is happening in the present moment. It is the same idea with body sweeping and being aware of the gross sensations.

The mind is trained to settle down and the meditation progress from there.