Breath awareness, a practice of directing conscious attention to the breathing process, boasts a rich and ancient history, deeply embedded in various spiritual and philosophical traditions. From the intricate methods of Daoist internal alchemy to the profound meditative techniques of Buddhism, the deliberate control and observation of breath have been central to cultivating physical well-being, spiritual insight, and altered states of consciousness.
These practices, developed over centuries, highlight a universal recognition of the breath's fundamental connection to life force and mental states.
Daoist Embryonic Breathing and Qi Circulation
In Daoism, particularly during the Tang dynasty (618-907), the concept of *taixi*, or "embryonic breathing," underwent significant evolution. Early Daoist internal alchemists shifted the understanding from *waiqi* (external air) to *neiqi* (internal qi of one's organs). Instead of merely inhaling and retaining external air, adepts focused on circulating and remolding visceral *neiqi* energy. This was believed to recreate *yuanqi* (prenatal qi or primary vitality), which is gradually depleted throughout life. *Taixi* became associated with the *shengtai* (sacred embryo), a Chinese Buddhist concept that Daoists adapted into a complex process of symbolic pregnancy, aiming to give birth to a spiritually perfected doppelganger.
Techniques for embryonic breathing included *xingqi* ("circulating breath"), *biqi* ("breath retention" or "apnea"), *fuqi* ("ingesting breath" or "aerophagia"), and *taishi* ("embryonic eating" or "swallowing saliva"). The general method involved inhaling through the nose, retaining the breath as long as possible, and then gently exhaling through the mouth. This practice was linked to the belief that vitality resided in bodily secretions, and their loss should be avoided. Some interpretations of *taixi* suggest a respiration that doesn't involve the nose or mouth but rather the pores of the skin, or an introspective sensation of expansion and contraction, like a breathing embryo, firmly situated in the lower abdomen or *dantian*.
Buddhist Mindfulness of Breathing: Anapanasati
Buddhist meditation traditions, particularly *vipassanā*, extensively utilize *anapanasati*, or mindfulness of breathing. The *Ānāpānasati Sutta* outlines this practice as a means of cultivating mindfulness of the body and developing the seven factors of awakening: mindfulness, analysis, persistence, rapture, serenity, unification of mind, and equanimity. These factors are considered crucial for achieving release from suffering (*dukkha*) and attaining nirvana. *Anapanasati* is a foundational meditation practice in Theravada, Tiantai, and Chan Buddhist traditions, and is widely regarded as the most common Buddhist method for contemplating bodily phenomena.
In the second century CE, the Buddhist monk An Shigao translated a version of the *Ānāpānasmṛti Sūtra* into Chinese, contributing to the spread of these methods. Later, Buddhacinga (Fotudeng) widely propagated *anapanasmṛti* in China during the fourth century, teaching methods of counting breaths to temper breathing and focus the mind into a state of peaceful meditative concentration. This helped popularize Buddhism by offering practical methods for spiritual realization. The Tiantai school, formed in the sixth century, placed significant emphasis on *anapanasmṛti* within its *śamatha-vipaśyanā* practices, classifying breathing into four categories: panting, unhurried breathing, deep and quiet breathing, and stillness or rest. Zhiyi, the founder of the Tiantai school, considered the first three incorrect, advocating for the fourth state where breathing reaches stillness and rest, even to the point where external breathing appears to cease, and internal breathing functions through the body's pores.
Breath Awareness in Kashmir Shaivism
The *Vijñāna-bhairava-tantra*, a Shiva Tantra of the Kaula Trika tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, also presents various methods of breath awareness. This text, dating from the 7th to 8th century CE, describes around 112 Tantric meditation methods or centering techniques. These practices are intended to lead to the recognition of the true nature of Reality, an "awesome consciousness." Among these methods are several variants of breath awareness, alongside concentration on bodily centers, non-dual awareness, mantra practice, visualizations, and contemplations using the senses. A prerequisite for success in these practices is a clear understanding of which method is most suitable for the practitioner, underscoring the personalized nature of these ancient breath-focused spiritual paths.
