Meditation Has No Failure, Nor Can It Succeed

1. What is Breath Counting?

In our meditation classes, we often teach breath counting, which involves counting your breaths. “Breath” includes both inhaling and exhaling. An inhale brings air in, while an exhale lets it out. Together, an inhale and exhale make one “breath.” For those who breathe more heavily, it’s easier to notice their breathing because it’s more pronounced and short, making it easy to catch.

2. How to Count Breaths?

In everyday life, our minds are extremely scattered, with thousands of thoughts emerging every second. It’s quite frightening that we remain unaware and are carried away by this endless stream of thoughts, losing our sense of self. Breath counting uses one specific thought—”counting breaths”—to manage and deal with countless wandering thoughts, bringing them back to a single focus. One inhale and exhale count as one; another inhale and exhale count as two… Count from one to ten, then return and start again from one.

3. Why Not Keep Counting Continuously?

Continuously counting is not wrong, but it can easily form a habit of counting mechanically, resulting in simultaneously counting and continuing to have stray thoughts. Counting to ten and then restarting acts as a “reminder” or “monitoring” mechanism, requiring more concentration than just counting on indefinitely. This approach provides more flexibility and effectiveness in training focus.

4. Is There a Difference Between “Meditation” and “Daydreaming”?

There is indeed a difference, even though both may involve sitting still. The inner experience, however, is entirely different. While daydreaming appears motionless, it usually involves random thoughts or staring blankly, with unclear thinking. Thus, daydreaming is a physical rest in a static form, but the mind is often still draining energy.

Meditation, on the other hand, involves using a method to gather scattered thoughts and concentrate them in one place, focusing on a single, orderly thing to conserve and direct energy toward a specific point. Because attention is directed toward counting the breath, there is less effort spent chasing other thoughts, resulting in reduced energy consumption. This is why meditation helps restore the body and replenish energy.

5. What Are the Benefits of Breath Counting?

When the mind is focused on the breath, the senses become clearer and more sensitive. As awareness of the breath increases, the focus shifts from external distractions to an inward perspective. The deeper the breathing becomes, the more one begins to observe, listen, and feel each breath as it flows through the body.

Breathing acts like a moving “searchlight,” illuminating everything it passes. During meditation, following this inborn searchlight, one suddenly sees the inner world, vast and intricate. A curiosity about this inner world emerges, creating a willingness to sit down, explore, and inquire.

6. Why Is It Hard to Settle Down When Meditating?

Beginners in meditation realize that it’s not as beautiful and joyful as it may seem in photos of people meditating. When one sits down with the determination to focus on counting breaths, suddenly the sounds of the outer world seem to become more intense—air conditioner noise is louder, appliances are buzzing, people are talking, cars are passing by.

Internally, thoughts become clearer; the mind wanders before even reaching the count of three. When returning to counting, the mind drifts again, and after a few cycles, drowsiness sets in. Upon waking, one starts again from one, but then leg pain distracts. This leads to frustration, and in moments of agitation, one may even feel like crying. Although the outer appearance remains still, an inner struggle has already begun! It’s not as easy as it seems.

7. That’s Exactly How It Should Be!

Many people think that not being able to calm down while meditating means there’s something wrong with meditation or the method itself. In reality, it’s just a reflection of our true state in daily life. We are always chasing outwardly, leaving no room for the senses to focus inward.

Meditation allows the body to stop, the senses to pull back, and the attention to rest solely on the breath. But even when the body is still, the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and senses are habitually rushing forward and can’t immediately settle down (because they’ve been in the habit of doing so for a long time). It’s like sitting on a boat all day and still feeling the bed rocking at night. We need to tell ourselves a few times, “I’m on land now, I’m on land now!” to gradually calm down.

Breath counting serves this purpose, continually pulling back thoughts and feelings that drift away, reminding us, “Come back, come back! Don’t drift!” Our tendency to rush outward is deeply ingrained, and all worries stem from this inability to stop or settle down. So how could one instantly achieve calmness?

8. Meditation Has No Failure, Nor Can It Succeed.

Just sit down and count, and remember to return.
Keep sitting, and return faster.
That’s it for today. Continue again tomorrow.