Do You Think Counting Your Own Breaths Its Good For Increase Mindfulness?

[Alex4]

I do it every morning for  30 - 45 minutes and I think this is the technique works the best for me.  in the evening I practice the do nothing.

what do you think and what works best for you?

[Gabriel Antonio]

I don't practice counting my breaths, but I focus on my breathing when I'm in bed. I set the timer for 30 minutes. I focus on the rise and fall of my belly by saying silently, "In" (inhaling) and "out" (exhaling). It does wonders to calm my mind and allow me to sleep. If I can't sleep after 30 minutes of practicing this, then I get up and try sleeping later. 

I remember one time about a year and a half ago that I practiced counting my breaths. I felt so concentrated. It was a really cool feeling! However, I clinged to that "concentration high" I got. I wanted to have that same feeling after every time I practiced; however, in the next few times, I was barely able to keep my attention on 5 or 6 breaths. I got very frustrated and gave up. I wonder if this technique work be easier for me now, as I feel like I have increased my concentration a lot. 

What works best for me is the do nothing because it requires no effort, and it is pleasant. This way, I can meditate for hours and hours. 

[Alex4]

7 hours ago, Gabriel Antonio said:

I don't practice counting my breaths, but I focus on my breathing when I'm in bed. I set the timer for 30 minutes. I focus on the rise and fall of my belly by saying silently, "In" (inhaling) and "out" (exhaling). It does wonders to calm my mind and allow me to sleep. If I can't sleep after 30 minutes of practicing this, then I get up and try sleeping later. 

I remember one time about a year and a half ago that I practiced counting my breaths. I felt so concentrated. It was a really cool feeling! However, I clinged to that "concentration high" I got. I wanted to have that same feeling after every time I practiced; however, in the next few times, I was barely able to keep my attention on 5 or 6 breaths. I got very frustrated and gave up. I wonder if this technique work be easier for me now, as I feel like I have increased my concentration a lot. 

What works best for me is the do nothing because it requires no effort, and it is pleasant. This way, I can meditate for hours and hours. 

yes I really like do nothing too, it helps a lot to realize where thoughts come from and recognize my feelings

[Gabriel Antonio]

On 11/7/2016 at 4:36 AM, Alex4 said:

yes I really like do nothing too, it helps a lot to realize where thoughts come from and recognize my feelings

oh yes! the first few times I did do nothing I had this amazing insight: "I'm not doing the thinking!"

Today I had a realization that when I'm expressing emotions through thoughts I can accentuate the thought instead of repressing it. For example, I feel angry. So I start judging everything around me. When I catch myself doing that, I usually try to lessen the thinking; but today... no! Just the opposite: I let my mind get as judgemental as it can. "Allow my mind to go crazy." It was wonderful! I feel very purified!