Among the simplest, and most profound methods of meditation is a technique called 'anapanasati bhavana', or 'mindfulness of breath meditation'. It is a simple and yet highly profound meditation technique that originates with the teachings of Buddhism, but is completely non-denominational and can be practiced by all people of all faiths, including atheists and agnostics. The basic premise of anapanasati bhavana is that our minds are clouded by thoughts and feelings that we are rarely ever conscious of. According to the Sankhya darshana of ancient India, true knowlege cannot be obtained by searching for meaning in the external world. Rather, this ancient teaching tells us that in order to seek truth, we must disassociate our subjective consciousness from the material universe, developing and illuminating the inherent clarity of our minds. Anapanasati bhavana is a simple technique that allows us to bring greater clarity to our consciousness, which in turn, promotes greater awareness and clarity in our day to day lives. Practicing anapanasati bhavana on a regular basis is a highly effective method to reduce anxiety, stress and depression.
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