November 30, 2025
Mindfulness of Breathing
MN 118 — Mindfulness of BreathingThe Passage
"Monks, when mindfulness of breathing is developed and cultivated, it fulfills the four foundations of mindfulness. When the four foundations of mindfulness are developed and cultivated, they fulfill the seven factors of enlightenment. When the seven factors of enlightenment are developed and cultivated, they fulfill true knowledge and deliverance. And how, monks, is mindfulness of breathing developed and cultivated so that it fulfills the four foundations of mindfulness? On whatever occasion a monk, breathing in long, knows: 'I breathe in long,' or breathing out long, knows: 'I breathe out long'; on that occasion he dwells contemplating the body as body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and grief in regard to the world."
Summary
The Ānāpānasati Sutta presents the Buddha's detailed instructions on mindfulness of breathing as a complete path to awakening. The practice is described in sixteen stages, moving from awareness of the breath through feelings, mind states, and finally to the contemplation of impermanence and letting go. What makes this sutta remarkable is how it shows mindfulness of breathing as the foundation for all other spiritual developments — from calm abiding to deep insight. The Buddha explains that this single practice, fully developed, brings the four foundations of mindfulness to completion, which in turn perfect the seven factors of enlightenment, culminating in liberation itself.
॰The Monk Reflects
There is something almost absurdly simple about being told to watch your breath. We've been breathing since birth — what could there possibly be left to notice?
And yet. Yesterday I sat for twenty minutes with nothing but the in-breath and the out-breath, and I discovered I'd never really met my lungs before. They've been working all this time without my attention, like a friend who keeps showing up even when you forget to call.
The Buddha says this one practice contains everything. I used to think that was poetic exaggeration. Now I'm beginning to wonder if it's just practical observation. When I watch my breath, I watch my body. When I watch my body, I notice feelings arising. When I notice feelings, I see the mind that's noticing. And when I see the mind clearly, something relaxes.
Perhaps enlightenment isn't adding something new. Perhaps it's just finally paying attention to what's been here all along, breath by faithful breath.
Sources
MN 118 — Ānāpānasati SuttaShunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
Tags
breathingmeditationmindfulnessenlightenment