Ānāpānasati (Mindfulness of Breathing)

Ānāpānasati Sutta – Majhimma Nikāya 118

“Ānāpānasati  (mindfulness of breathing) developed and repeatedly practiced, is of great fruit, of great benefit; mindfulness of  breathing developed and  repeatedly practiced, perfects the four foundations of mindfulness; the four foundations of mindfulness, developed and  repeatedly practiced, perfect the seven enlightenment factors; the seven enlightenment factors, developed and  repeatedly practiced, perfect clear vision and deliverance.”

Method of practice

A. Contemplation of body

Breathing in  long, know, “I breathe in long”; or breathing out long, know, “I breathe out long.”

Breathing in  short, know, “I breathe in short”; or breathing out short, know, “I breathe out short.”

“‘Experiencing the whole body I shall breathe  in,” train thus; “‘Experiencing the whole body I shall breathe  out” train thus.

“Calming the body formations I shall breathe  in,” train thus; “Calming the body formations I shall breathe out,” train thus.

B. Contemplation of feeling

“[Experiencing rapture] I shall breathe in,” train thus; “[Experiencing rapture] I shall breathe out,” train thus.
[Experiencing bliss]
[Experiencing the mental formations]
[Calming the mental formations]

C. Contemplation of mind

“[Experiencing the mind] I shall breathe  in,” train thus; “[Experiencing the mind] I shall breathe out,” train thus.
[Gladdening the mind]
[Concentrating the mind]
[Liberating the mind]

D. Contemplation of phenomena

“[Contemplating impermanence] I shall breathe in,” train thus; “[Contemplating impermanence] I shall breathe out.” train thus.
[Contemplating fading away]
[Contemplating cessation]
[Contemplating relinquishment]

Thus Train

A. Abide contemplating body in body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having put away covetousness and grief regarding the world.

This is a certain body among bodies, namely, the breath.

On that occasion abide contemplating body in body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having put away covetousness and grief regarding the world.

B. Abide contemplating feelings in feelings, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having put away covetousness and grief regarding the world.

This is a certain feeling among feelings, namely, the complete attention to in-breathing and out-breathing.

C. Abide contemplating mind in mind, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having put away covetousness and grief regarding the world.

There is no development of mindfulness of breathing in one who is forgetful and does not clearly comprehend.  

D. Abide contemplating phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having put away covetousness and grief regarding the world.

Having seen with understanding what is the abandoning of covetousness and grief, become one who looks on with complete equanimity. On that occasion abide contemplating phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having put away covetousness and grief regarding the world.

Seven enlightenment factors

Thus abide contemplating [body in body | feeling in feelings | mind in mind | phenomena in phenomena]; ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having put away covetousness and grief regarding the world- unremitting mindfulness is established, and established it arouses the mindful enlightenment factors:

1. Mindfulness enlightenment factor
2. Investigation- of-states enlightenment factor
3. Energy enlightenment factor
4. Rapture enlightenment factor
5. Tranquility enlightenment factor
6. Concentration enlightenment factor
7. Equanimity enlightenment factor

Develop the enlightenment factors [1 to 7]  dependent on seclusion, on fading away, in cessation, resulting in relinquishment.

Thus developed, thus repeatedly practiced, the seven factors of enlightenment perfect clear vision and deliverance.

Thus said the Blessed One.

Bibliography:
Mindfulness of Breathing. 1964. Translated by Bhikkhu Ñānamoli