In the case of the Buddhist practice there is no “retention” of breath or any other interference with it. There is just a quiet “bare observation” of its natural flow, with a firm and steady, but easy and “buoyant” attention, i.e., without strain or rigidity. The length or shortness of breathing is noticed, but not deliberately regulated. By regular practice, however, a calming, equalizing and deepening of the breath will result quite naturally; and the tranquillization and deepening of the breath-rhythm will lead to a tranquillization and deepening of the entire life-rhythm. In this way,
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