Sitting meditation is learned through practice. In traditional teaching, beginning meditators are asked to concentrate on three techniques in their practice: achieving proper posture, quieting the mind, and maintaining awareness of breath.
Posture
After properly arranging a mat and/or cushion, sit comfortably with legs crossed and head aligned with your spine in an upright posture. If sitting on the floor is too difficult, sit on a chair. Sitting meditation should require little physical effort.
Breathing
Breathing is an involuntary act. Every moment we breathe in and out. Unless we are out of breath, we are seldom aware that our breathing is smooth and steady. In sitting meditation we become aware of our breathing pattern and turn it into a technique for calming the mind. By having our mind focus on the smooth and steady pattern of breathing, we give the mind something to do. So, when your mind drifts in sitting meditation, gently bring it to rest with your breathing.
