Should one literally think "I am breathing in long, I am breathing out long."

Upvote:0

If it helps you to be in the moment, then by all means do it.

Remember that breathing is just our anchor to the moment, to the now.

Let go of everything else. You can even let go of this idea. As long as the breath brings you to the present moment, it is doing its job.

Upvote:5

It is not necessary to think: "I am". The mind should know the action of the breath being long or being short. Also, there is really no need to "focus". When the mind is quiet & silent, the mind will know the breathing. Be as silent, still, upright, awake & alert as possible.

Note: At the highest level of practise, the Buddha taught to reflect:

Monks, whatever form, past, future or present, internal or external, coarse or fine, low or lofty, far or near, all that form must be regarded with proper wisdom, according to reality, thus: 'This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.'

SN 22.59

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