Come Back to the Breath: A Life-Changing Zen Practice
Breath is life. It’s constant, ever-present, and always accessible, yet we so often forget to notice it. Over 25 years ago, I spent five years studying at a Zen monastery in the Catskill Mountains of New York. During this time, I learned a meditation technique that became a cornerstone of my practice: breath counting.
It’s simple in concept but challenging in practice. You sit, breathe, and count:
Inhale, one.
Exhale, two.
Inhale, three.
You count up to ten and start over. The catch? If your mind wanders—even for a moment—you start again from one.
It took me months to consistently reach ten without losing focus. At first, this frustrated me. But the guidance was clear: It’s not about getting to ten; it’s about noticing when your mind wanders and gently bringing it back.
This practice is deceptively profound. Over time, it teaches a vital life skill: the ability to return to the present moment, no matter how far your thoughts have drifted.
The Everyday Practice
This simple lesson extends far beyond formal meditation. The mantra of “come back to the breath” can weave seamlessly into every part of our day.
As Thich Nhat Hanh, the great Vietnamese Zen teacher, often said:
“Aware of the inhale, aware of the exhale.”
You don’t need to sit cross-legged or light incense to practice this. In fact, the most profound moments of mindfulness often occur during ordinary activities:
Washing dishes. Feel the warmth of the water, hear the clink of plates, and come back to the breath.
Sitting at your computer. In the middle of a work project, pause for a moment and ask yourself: What’s the quality of my breath right now?
In a meeting or tense situation. Notice if your breath has become shallow or strained. Then take a smooth, full inhale followed by a soft belly exhale.
Why This Matters
Here’s the thing: when you anchor yourself to the breath, even for a few seconds, you’re interrupting the cycle of stress and distraction. You’re reminding yourself to return to now.
Throughout the day, our thoughts pull us in a thousand directions. Worries about the future, replaying the past, or simply getting lost in the noise of the moment—it’s exhausting. But when you pause, breathe, and notice the inhale and exhale, everything shifts.
Even if just for a moment, your day becomes lighter. And if you practice this regularly, your life begins to transform.
Experiment: A Day of Breathing
Here’s an experiment to try:
Set an intention. Start your day with the mantra: “I will keep coming back to the breath.”
Pause often. Every so often, whenever you can remember, take a moment to notice your breath. Is it smooth and easy? If not, take a deep, soft belly breath.
Reflect. At the end of the day, ask yourself: How did this change my experience?
A Lifestyle of Mindfulness
This practice isn’t about perfection. It’s about practice. Day after day, moment after moment, you simply keep coming back.
The breath is always with you. It’s a constant companion in the chaos of life. The more you connect with it, the more centered and grounded you’ll feel—no matter what the world throws your way.
Try it for a day. Then a week. Then a lifetime. I guarantee your life will be different.
What do you notice when you practice this? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.