Question

Is breathing in Zen automatic and natural, or is there a technique
or form to breathe. How do we determine correct breathing for
ourselves?
What does it feel like?
Is this breathing in any sense controlled?

In reality in zen, people learn a breathing technique which consists in concentrating their energy below the navel and to press on the intestines during breathing out. To bring down the energy in this way creates an expansion of the abdominal region, under the navel. But all these techniques learnt in zen have to be forgotten at the end and practice automatically. That is what is called visceral impregnation. On the contrary, if this technique has not been repeated for some time, a wrong breathing will be set-up automatically as soon as the attention gets loose; our bad habits will come back again. * Retour: Kosen online

Answer from Master Kosen

In reality in zen, people learn a breathing technique which consists in concentrating their energy below the navel and to press on the intestines during breathing out. To bring down the energy in this way creates an expansion of the abdominal region, under the navel. But all these techniques learnt in zen have to be forgotten at the end and practice automatically. That is what is called visceral impregnation. On the contrary, if this technique has not been repeated for some time, a wrong breathing will be set-up automatically as soon as the attention gets loose; our bad habits will come back again.

Mondo On the same theme : Posture

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