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Comment by k-mcgrady | Hacker News Reader

It's simple. Sit down in silence and focus on your breathing. When getting started I used to think 'iiiinnnnn' and 'ooouuuutttt' as I inhaled and exhaled. It helps focus your mind. When you find yourself thinking of something else don't get upset, just bring your focus back. It takes a while before you notice it get easier (2-4 weeks of 10 minute sessions once per day) but you will eventually notice you don't need to think anything anymore and your mind just focuses.

I learnt this technique online and it's worked well for me. I also tried guided meditations on apps from Headspace and Calm but found that the guides just interrupted me and pulled me out of focus.

Just set a 5-10 min timer on your phone, close your eyes, and try what I've explained above.

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And so you're just focusing on breathing? Like you're directing your active thoughts towards thinking those words, and thinking about breathing. Is that correct?

I focus on where I can feel the breath going, through the entire breath. Once you start paying attention you can notice it flowing through your sinuses or whatever's up there, filling your lungs.

Yes. It helps prevent your mind wandering. After a while you don't need to focus on the words and without sounding too 'weird' your mind will focus itself. It's a difficult and strange thing to explain. The steps I outlined are how I started and I definitely noticed benefits. I was much less stressed afterwards and that typically lasted for a few hours after just 10 mins meditation.

Edit:

If I remember correctly I watched a few videos on meditation on Zenhabits.net. I liked the approach which was very basic. A lot of the guided meditaiton sites I've tried make it too complicated. If you have a look on zenhabits.net you might find something to help you get started.

You just focus on the breathing sensation, the flow of air, without breathing heavily, following the inspiration, the slight pause and then the next expiration. Again and again.

Your mind will obviously create a lots of "shower thoughts", the goal is to come back "gently" to the focus on the breathing. By gently, I mean you should not feel angry for having your mind wandering, this is natural and expected. The idea is not to block or shut down your mind on any idea arising, but rather when it occurs trying to put them aside, and go back again to the breathing.

It sounds simple and easy, but in practice it is hard to maintain your attention for an extended period of time.

I think in Buddhist tradition it is a part of Samatha [0]

I believe there are some variations like focusing on a candle, or a stone, the advantage of the breathing is that is available everywhere at anytime.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samatha

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